johnno!

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

mikey whipreck

silver & red CE

I installed the GM 92-95 Z07 bars on my 96 w/Z51 (same springs as 95 base suspension, very soft). No increase in NVH, as verified by my wife. Very neutral, much less roll, with throttle induced oversteer on demand. Soft springs and beefy bars are the modern street set up, I love this set up.

I've heard it pushes with the thicker front bar, but I'll let those who have installed this set up comment.

Eric

MYCoupe

I had a similar thread going a few days ago:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=945706

froggy47

I have 30/26 with soft springs & autox it. Works good. 32 should be ok too.

You might try 295's.

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?

froggy47

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)

ol,RJ

the grand sport has wider rear tires, thats why it use's the 26mm bar in the rear with a 26mm front bar .
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).

froggy47

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

mvitacco

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.

~db~

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!!

MYCoupe

Here's the info you're looking for!

http://www.superchevyperformance.com/misc/c4sway.asp

~db~

That's awesome bro..thx!!

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.

~db~

Actually, the link that Admiral94 sent me..i called today and found out that the front 30mm sway bar is tubular NOT solid. I assume he is correct, although he didn't sound too sure. Regardless, either one is an improvement over my 24s.

lite blue

'85 Z51 front bar is solid. Trust me. I've had it off three or four times. That bitch is heavy!