Rear Sway bar... Performance difference?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 151
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From: Santa Rosa CA
Rear Sway bar... Performance difference?
How much of a difference has anyone been able to notice after replacing the factory rear sway bar with a 1 inch high performance sway bar? Is this a mod only serious autocrossers will notice?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Santa Rosa CA
Re: Rear Sway bar... Performance difference? (shamvette)
I have a 1985 without the Z51 option. I am in the process of changing the factory setup to the following:
1. Edelbrock IAS shocks.
2. Polygraphite bushings all the way around.
3. C5 calipers with appropriate Electro-Dynamics bracket.
4. Baer Eradispeed rotors.
5. Changing D44 3.07 to probably 3.73.
Any other opinions kindly welcome.....
1. Edelbrock IAS shocks.
2. Polygraphite bushings all the way around.
3. C5 calipers with appropriate Electro-Dynamics bracket.
4. Baer Eradispeed rotors.
5. Changing D44 3.07 to probably 3.73.
Any other opinions kindly welcome.....
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 4
From: Guam
Re: Rear Sway bar... Performance difference? (shamvette)
Sounds like you are going autox racing. If so, sway bars are a must. In my opinion, you must balance the front and the rears. Just changing the rears may throw off the handling characteristics of the car. I tried it once in a Camaro and got a worse handling car. We have a Z51 86 vette that rides a little harsh. However, we like it since we often play on the windy roads near our home. Having the right sway bars can really help. FInding a set of shocks that work well with the specific sway bars takes experience. Why did you select the Edelbrocks over a set of Bilsteins? What brand sway bars are you inclined to buy? :cool:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 151
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From: Santa Rosa CA
Re: Rear Sway bar... Performance difference? (Sharky Guam)
The Bilsteins and what is on the car right now, and I have heard good reports on the Edelbrock shocks. I can also get a pretty good deal on them(friend-of-a-friend type thing).
I ordered my bushing kit through PST and they also have a 'performance' sway bar (1 inch) with the necessary bushings for it. Am I to expect some differences between one companies performance sway bar over another?
You are correct in the autox racing. I live near Sears Point and plan on running there.... but, I will probably only do this 1 to 2 times a year. I will plan on hitting the drag strip at least 1 to 2 times a month.
I ordered my bushing kit through PST and they also have a 'performance' sway bar (1 inch) with the necessary bushings for it. Am I to expect some differences between one companies performance sway bar over another?
You are correct in the autox racing. I live near Sears Point and plan on running there.... but, I will probably only do this 1 to 2 times a year. I will plan on hitting the drag strip at least 1 to 2 times a month.
