swaybar help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Utica NY
swaybar help
Hey guys, I have a 95 with the base suspension that has a bit more body roll than I like, I do like the soft springs, (I also have an 86 Z51) so I'm well aware that the handleing can be better than my 95 currently is. I have z51 shocks on my 95 which I consider a huge improvement because bumps feel much better controlled. My question is this... keeping in mind that I do not want a spring change, what effect will large swaybars have on my ride, and what swaybars will give me the maximum body roll reduction while still keeping the handleing fairly neutral. I am considering getting the vette brakes 32mm front and 26 mm rear bars. will this be too much bar, or will it work well? I have 275's on all 4 corners if that has any effect. I do autocross this car, so the handleing is pretty important to me.
Thanks in advance
John Backman
Thanks in advance
John Backman
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Originally Posted by johnno!
...what effect will large swaybars have on my ride, and what swaybars will give me the maximum body roll reduction while still keeping the handleing fairly neutral.
I am considering getting the vette brakes 32mm front and 26 mm rear bars. will this be too much bar, or will it work well?
Eric
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 68
From: Hewitt NJ
I had a similar thread going a few days ago:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=945706
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=945706
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Utica NY
thanks for the feedback, definately some food for thought.... I guess I need to figure out whether to go 32/26 or 30/24... regarding the push associated with the 32mm bar, was that with or wothout the 26 rear bar?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
Likes: 196
From: Southern CA
Originally Posted by johnno!
thanks for the feedback, definately some food for thought.... I guess I need to figure out whether to go 32/26 or 30/24... regarding the push associated with the 32mm bar, was that with or wothout the 26 rear bar?
I would go 26 in the back no matter what the front. 26 is what's on the back of 1996 Grand Sports.
I did not feel it pushed any worse with the 30 solid on the front & of course it stays way flatter in turns (a good thing)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: NewCastle IN. USA
Originally Posted by froggy47
I would go 26 in the back no matter what the front. 26 is what's on the back of 1996 Grand Sports.
If your running 275/40's all around that combo will oversteer (loose). trust me I tried it
it was scary.the VBP's 32mm front bar is just too big (even with a 26mm rear bar it understeer'd badly) add wider rear tires and it will be worse.
a word of caution: mis-matched swaybars can alter your vettes handling in a bad way. so be careful, go with a proven set like the 30mm front/26mm rear, or if you like the way your vette handles now just add poly bushings to your current swaybars (thats what I did, but I'd like to try the 30/26 once too).
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
Likes: 196
From: Southern CA
My bad, I forgot to say that I went with 11's on the back. 9.5 on the front Full GS package (less the paint
).
I have swapped back my 8.5f 9.5 rear gsc tire package (without changing the rear sway bar back to 24" of course) and it handled ok on the street. I did not try racing with the big bar on the back & lesser tires so it probably would be over barred with that combo.
My GS setup now, with sticky tires, still understeers. I just put in some comp brake pads (Carbotech PP) and am running on Sunday so we'll see where that takes us
).I have swapped back my 8.5f 9.5 rear gsc tire package (without changing the rear sway bar back to 24" of course) and it handled ok on the street. I did not try racing with the big bar on the back & lesser tires so it probably would be over barred with that combo.
My GS setup now, with sticky tires, still understeers. I just put in some comp brake pads (Carbotech PP) and am running on Sunday so we'll see where that takes us
Last edited by froggy47; Nov 19, 2004 at 04:14 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
95 Base Suspensions
I have owed a 92 and currently a 95 both, started with Base Soft
ride Suspension. You should not need anything bigger than the 30mm
front bar. , However, but I found it next to impossible to ballance the car with those soft bushings and resulting camber/toe changes.
Upgrade all the rear bushing with the bars. Heim-joints are worth
it if you can affoard them and don't hurt ride quality. Together with a
more agressive alignement it will ride like its on rails. If you need to
save $$ hold off upgrading the bars untill later.
ride Suspension. You should not need anything bigger than the 30mm
front bar. , However, but I found it next to impossible to ballance the car with those soft bushings and resulting camber/toe changes.
Upgrade all the rear bushing with the bars. Heim-joints are worth
it if you can affoard them and don't hurt ride quality. Together with a
more agressive alignement it will ride like its on rails. If you need to
save $$ hold off upgrading the bars untill later.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Tampa,FL
John..i'm right there with you! I have a 96LT4 with base suspension and I upgraded my bilsteins to the Z51s application. A little disappointed in the tremendous high issue it created tho. At least an inch higher with the new shocks 
...quite a bit I felt considering the old shocks only had 54K on them. Regardless, I also am upgrading the sway bars. Going with the 30mmS in the front and the 26mmS in the rear. I want to get the front 30mm ZO7 bar as much of you have, but am unsure of the part number from GM. Can anyone help us on this?? thx!! 
...quite a bit I felt considering the old shocks only had 54K on them. Regardless, I also am upgrading the sway bars. Going with the 30mmS in the front and the 26mmS in the rear. I want to get the front 30mm ZO7 bar as much of you have, but am unsure of the part number from GM. Can anyone help us on this?? thx!!
Last edited by ~db~; Nov 23, 2004 at 09:12 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 68
From: Hewitt NJ
Originally Posted by ~db~
... I want to get the front 30mm ZO7 bar as much of you have, but am unsure of the part number from GM. Can anyone help us on this?? thx!!
http://www.superchevyperformance.com/misc/c4sway.asp
Pro
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Tampa,FL
Originally Posted by Admiral94
Pro
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Tampa,FL
Originally Posted by lite blue
My '85 Z51 came with 30S/26S, and I couldn't be happier. Seems like a good combination. I've done poly in the front. Have to do the rear someday.
