Sway bars on a C4
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Oakville Ontario
Sway bars on a C4
I am planning on using my un-converted Challenge car for some open-track events at Mosport this summer. I want to leave the FX3 shocks on the car. My question is: will some aftermarket swaybars help in the handling? Would they be worth the investment?What about bushings? Any help would be appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Weren't the original sway bars on the car the same as the Z51 bars? The only difference between the '89 and '90 Z51 and R9G suspension was that the rear bar on the '90 was 26mm while the '89 rear bar was 24mm. Both the front and rear bars were solid.
If the bushings are original, I would suggest starting by replacing them with polyurethane bushings. That should help some. But to do it "right", you really should be looking at the shocks and bars as a package. Bilstein will rebuild the FX3 shocks and they have a variety of custom valving that can be used to improve handling. I would suggest calling them and ask for some input for both shock valving and bar size.
Of course a good alignment will help in handling. Look at the Vette Brakes suggestions for track alignment specs. Note they are a guide so you may have to do some fine-tuning.
If the bushings are original, I would suggest starting by replacing them with polyurethane bushings. That should help some. But to do it "right", you really should be looking at the shocks and bars as a package. Bilstein will rebuild the FX3 shocks and they have a variety of custom valving that can be used to improve handling. I would suggest calling them and ask for some input for both shock valving and bar size.
Of course a good alignment will help in handling. Look at the Vette Brakes suggestions for track alignment specs. Note they are a guide so you may have to do some fine-tuning.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Oakville Ontario
Weren't the original sway bars on the car the same as the Z51 bars? The only difference between the '89 and '90 Z51 and R9G suspension was that the rear bar on the '90 was 26mm while the '89 rear bar was 24mm. Both the front and rear bars were solid.
If the bushings are original, I would suggest starting by replacing them with polyurethane bushings. That should help some. But to do it "right", you really should be looking at the shocks and bars as a package. Bilstein will rebuild the FX3 shocks and they have a variety of custom valving that can be used to improve handling. I would suggest calling them and ask for some input for both shock valving and bar size.
Of course a good alignment will help in handling. Look at the Vette Brakes suggestions for track alignment specs. Note they are a guide so you may have to do some fine-tuning.
If the bushings are original, I would suggest starting by replacing them with polyurethane bushings. That should help some. But to do it "right", you really should be looking at the shocks and bars as a package. Bilstein will rebuild the FX3 shocks and they have a variety of custom valving that can be used to improve handling. I would suggest calling them and ask for some input for both shock valving and bar size.
Of course a good alignment will help in handling. Look at the Vette Brakes suggestions for track alignment specs. Note they are a guide so you may have to do some fine-tuning.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: Princeton New Jersey
You can try having the shocks rebuilt at Delta Vee Performance.
http://deltavee.net/?gclid=CK7xu4fQhr0CFRQV7AodcCoAsA
Turn around time is much much much faster than sending them to Bilstein. Rob Schermerhorn is the owner and is very helpful. You can also splurg and get the Morocco valving. I just did a stock rebuild of the FX3 shocks. It was about 10 days total.
http://deltavee.net/?gclid=CK7xu4fQhr0CFRQV7AodcCoAsA
Turn around time is much much much faster than sending them to Bilstein. Rob Schermerhorn is the owner and is very helpful. You can also splurg and get the Morocco valving. I just did a stock rebuild of the FX3 shocks. It was about 10 days total.
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 79
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I wouldn't change the bushings unless they really need to be replaced due to rotting or damage. As stated earlier, the challenge cars were the best handling c4's, but there are higher rate springs available now that could help with handling. First thing I would do would be to make sure I had a good alignment.
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