Sway bar options
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Apex NC
Sway bar options
So I've been doing some research on sway bar options and I'm trying to understand something I've heard in a couple places now. Why can't us guys who's cars have tubular front bars throw a solid bar on the car? For example, why can't my 24mm tubular bar be replaced with a 30mm solid.
I say this because I was able to get a really good deal on a 30mm solid bar ($50) and snatched it up before I had time to do the research. I've sat them next to each other and compared dimensions with a tape measure and calipers. I don't see how the 30mm bar won't work. Could someone enlighten me?
Thanks in advance!
I say this because I was able to get a really good deal on a 30mm solid bar ($50) and snatched it up before I had time to do the research. I've sat them next to each other and compared dimensions with a tape measure and calipers. I don't see how the 30mm bar won't work. Could someone enlighten me?
Thanks in advance!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 628
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From: Indiana
But they do work. I replaced my front 26mm hollow with a 28mm solid and my back 24mm solid with a 26mm solid. The racing guys want the hollow ones for weight purposes but you don't have to use them. A solid has the same torsion as a hollow 2mm larger. Therefore a solid 28mm is equivalent to a 30mm hollow. You can use either one with the same results but the solid adds more overall weight to the vehicle. In your case it will be like adding a 32mm hollow. That will be really stiff. I went larger front and back because I installed the complete Heim Link rear end and QA-1 shocks. With the rear being looser and the shock set to soft my ride is really good but I picked up body roll so I went up a size in sway-bars and everything is perfect now. Everyone who rides in it are blown away by how nice it rides and still handles like its glued to the road. Best of both worlds. If you do decide to use it you better do something to the rear or your handling is going to be wacked.
Last edited by Klyde; Jul 13, 2013 at 12:15 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Indiana
Kimmer: During hard cornering mine has just a little lean. Yours must be zero. Keeps the wheels flat on the turns but it makes it hard to tell when your going to break traction.
SmallBlock87: I think if you went with a 26mm rear and the 30mm front you should be well balanced. It will be very close to what I use and mine works very well
SmallBlock87: I think if you went with a 26mm rear and the 30mm front you should be well balanced. It will be very close to what I use and mine works very well
Last edited by Klyde; Jul 13, 2013 at 12:24 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 88
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From: Apex NC
Thanks Klyde. I threw it in today to see if it fit. It didn't feel much different putting the 30mm in compared to taking out the stock one (correction: i said 24mm above, but it was a 26mm). If anything, the end links might be pushed outward (toward the wheels) about an 1/8" or less. Went for a test drive and it felt tighter. I'll be able to really test it out at NCCAR in August. The rear bar is the next step. Shopping around for a 24mm or 26mm for the back now. Thanks for the input!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 628
Likes: 13
From: Indiana
As an extra note, coat the inside of the mounting bushings with never seize. Didn't do my rear and had to take it back out and do it. Squeaked like a little pig till I greased it. Addco recommended it on the paper work with the front one but I didn't see any warning with the rear. Drove me nuts for a couple of days until I couldn't take it any more.
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Kimmer: During hard cornering mine has just a little lean. Yours must be zero. Keeps the wheels flat on the turns but it makes it hard to tell when your going to break traction.
SmallBlock87: I think if you went with a 26mm rear and the 30mm front you should be well balanced. It will be very close to what I use and mine works very well
SmallBlock87: I think if you went with a 26mm rear and the 30mm front you should be well balanced. It will be very close to what I use and mine works very well
Last edited by kimmer; Jul 14, 2013 at 06:00 PM.