32mm front sway install
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,212
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From: OH
32mm front sway install
Okay, going to get my rear shocks on tomorrow, and want to get my new big front sway bar on at the same time. I probably am going to want to get it on jackstands so it is easier to get the old front bar off. Now I have two questions. First is there any trick to the new bushings I got with the sway? Can I at least get the new bar mounted on stands? After that I was planning on lowering it to torque them (so it has the weight of the car on it). Am I missing anything?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
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From: NewCastle IN. USA
Re: 32mm front sway install (rsafier)
hi rsafier,
I know the 32mm front sway bar is a highly debated subject around here. but I'm going to throw my hat into the ring on it too :crazy:
I tried it out (did the VBP sport suspension setup) with the 32mm front bar and 22mm rear bar (someone had put it on before me) it pushed big time. so I upgraded the rear to a 26mm bar, this was better handling wise but it still pushed more than I would like.
I finally went with the stock front bar (26mm tubular), 22mm rear and poly bushings for both. this handles better, rides better and weighs less.
of course you don't have to take my word for it. just put it on and then go to a empty parking lot and drive in circles.. your front tires will break loose first ever time.
if your 85 is a Z51 then you should have 30mm front, 24mm rear (stock) if not a Z51 then it should be a 24mm front 20mm rear. if you liked the balance it had before then there is no need to go bigger, just add the poly bushings and have fun..
oh, to install the 32mm bar you'll need a crowbar/prybar and some patience/determenation. don't tighten any bolts untill you have them all in place (you'll need the extra "give").
hope I didn't ruin your day, but you'll be happier with a balanced vette (especially if you want to autocross).
RJ
I know the 32mm front sway bar is a highly debated subject around here. but I'm going to throw my hat into the ring on it too :crazy:
I tried it out (did the VBP sport suspension setup) with the 32mm front bar and 22mm rear bar (someone had put it on before me) it pushed big time. so I upgraded the rear to a 26mm bar, this was better handling wise but it still pushed more than I would like.
I finally went with the stock front bar (26mm tubular), 22mm rear and poly bushings for both. this handles better, rides better and weighs less.
of course you don't have to take my word for it. just put it on and then go to a empty parking lot and drive in circles.. your front tires will break loose first ever time.
if your 85 is a Z51 then you should have 30mm front, 24mm rear (stock) if not a Z51 then it should be a 24mm front 20mm rear. if you liked the balance it had before then there is no need to go bigger, just add the poly bushings and have fun..
oh, to install the 32mm bar you'll need a crowbar/prybar and some patience/determenation. don't tighten any bolts untill you have them all in place (you'll need the extra "give").
hope I didn't ruin your day, but you'll be happier with a balanced vette (especially if you want to autocross).
RJ
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Re: 32mm front sway install (FX GS)
I agree with the too big opinions. Balance it correctly and your C4 will run rings around most things on the road today.
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 183
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From: San Jose CA
Re: 32mm front sway install (rsafier)
I disagree. I have a 30mm front bar reinforced with a 3/4" square steel bar
bolted to it from mount to mount, approx. 28". The bar is clamped solid at one end and has an adjustable clamp at the other. I ran this bar with a 26mm
rear bar. It didn't really get the car to work until I installed a NASCAR style 1.5" O.D. hollow rear bar. From my experience you cannot add too big a rear bar to C4. :nono: :nono:
bolted to it from mount to mount, approx. 28". The bar is clamped solid at one end and has an adjustable clamp at the other. I ran this bar with a 26mm
rear bar. It didn't really get the car to work until I installed a NASCAR style 1.5" O.D. hollow rear bar. From my experience you cannot add too big a rear bar to C4. :nono: :nono:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,212
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From: OH
Re: 32mm front sway install (larrybsp)
hmm. Well guess I'll just have to bolt it on and see. I am a little worried about it because I really am not suppose to switch out the rear 20mm bar in my stock class. I have the FE1 normal suspension. I have a Z51 24mm for the rear that I could try after I put in the front.
Once I get it on and drive it some will post my results and we will see who's predictions are correct.
Once I get it on and drive it some will post my results and we will see who's predictions are correct.
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Re: 32mm front sway install (rsafier)
I too have been down this road!
I wound up with 30mm front and 24 rear as best combo for me
But here's what I really want to suggest
The square vertical link tubes on the front bar and the rear bar too, need to remain perfectly vertical at rest. if they are cocked, even slightly, to the rear or front, they will act and cause the sway bar to act more like a torsion bar
I had this problem on my 88 when I installed 30mm bar in front...vertical links ended up cocked about 1/4" rearward which put them in a bind with lower control arm and basically eliminated their effect
Heim sells an off set for a lot of $, but you can do it yourself by taking the verticakl links to a machine shop and have them cut off the top ears and move them 1/4" back and reweld them
e mail me if you want more info
jack
I wound up with 30mm front and 24 rear as best combo for me
But here's what I really want to suggest
The square vertical link tubes on the front bar and the rear bar too, need to remain perfectly vertical at rest. if they are cocked, even slightly, to the rear or front, they will act and cause the sway bar to act more like a torsion bar
I had this problem on my 88 when I installed 30mm bar in front...vertical links ended up cocked about 1/4" rearward which put them in a bind with lower control arm and basically eliminated their effect
Heim sells an off set for a lot of $, but you can do it yourself by taking the verticakl links to a machine shop and have them cut off the top ears and move them 1/4" back and reweld them
e mail me if you want more info
jack
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 183
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From: San Jose CA
Re: 32mm front sway install (rsafier)
FWIW A 30mm fr bar and a 24mm rr bar and the car will still understeer. I guarantee it. Why do you think the 89-90 (Corvete challenge cars, Z-51) FE7 suspension has a 26mm rear bar. It sounds like you autocross the car. If so you can get a more effective rear bar by shimming the fr bar mounting brackets with alignment shims. Shimming the front bar delays the time at corner entry before the front bar starts to take effect. It acts like you have a stiffer rear bar. Its a common experienced autocrossers trick. Depending on whether you have an 84-87 or 88+ the rear suspension is pretty much the same. The stock Corvette rear IRS toe and camber change under bump and rebound is excessive. anything you do to control roll will help handling. ;) ;) ;)
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: NewCastle IN. USA
Re: 32mm front sway install (larrybsp)
I did some experimenting with my sway bars and bushings after trying the 32mm/26mm combo.
first I put the stock front bar on (26mm tubular with rubber bushings) so it had 26mm/26mm this was a oversteering nightmare (dang near wrecked the vette the first time I tried it!).
next I put the 22mm rear bar on with poly bushings (I still had 26mm tubular in front with rubber bushings) this was better but would still oversteer (was bad about off throttle oversteer, but it would do doughnuts all day long! too tough on tires).
I then put the poly bushings on the front bar (except for the end links which I left rubber) this was the ticket for me, the only time it understeers is when I over cook the corner by braking too late/going too fast. I can steer with the throttle thru sweeping turns, and most important to me, it feels comfortable! I could never say that with the 32mm/26mm combo.
based on my trail and error methods I think that any stock bars could be made to handle pretty darn good by just playing with the bushings (unless your running bigger tires in the rear, then it may take one size bigger rear bar to balance it out, I'm running 275's all around).
I guess its all in what you like (seat of the pants feeling) so you'll have to try it yourself.
RJ
first I put the stock front bar on (26mm tubular with rubber bushings) so it had 26mm/26mm this was a oversteering nightmare (dang near wrecked the vette the first time I tried it!).
next I put the 22mm rear bar on with poly bushings (I still had 26mm tubular in front with rubber bushings) this was better but would still oversteer (was bad about off throttle oversteer, but it would do doughnuts all day long! too tough on tires).
I then put the poly bushings on the front bar (except for the end links which I left rubber) this was the ticket for me, the only time it understeers is when I over cook the corner by braking too late/going too fast. I can steer with the throttle thru sweeping turns, and most important to me, it feels comfortable! I could never say that with the 32mm/26mm combo.
based on my trail and error methods I think that any stock bars could be made to handle pretty darn good by just playing with the bushings (unless your running bigger tires in the rear, then it may take one size bigger rear bar to balance it out, I'm running 275's all around).
I guess its all in what you like (seat of the pants feeling) so you'll have to try it yourself.
RJ
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
From: OH
Re: 32mm front sway install (larrybsp)
anything you do to control roll will help handling. ;) ;) ;)
Right now with the 24/20 that is on it I get a decent amount of oversteer. I know if I don't change the rear a 32/20 will probably be WAY too much understeer. But if I want to stay in A Stock I really can't change that (legally at least :) ) I have a 24mm rear that I can bolt on to see how that lessens the understeer
[Modified by rsafier, 12:56 AM 8/29/2003]
