Do I need an alignment after installing Pfadt rear bar?
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Do I need an alignment after installing Pfadt rear bar?
I was fortunate enough to buy a rear competition Pfadt sway bar here on the forum last week. I got to thinking, what are the ramifications of switching it out with my Z06 rear bar? Will I affect anything that would require a new alignment or ??? Common sense tells me there is nothing to be concerned with, but maybe I should ask. I have a Z06 front bar and Z06 shocks. The Pfadt bar is way stiffer than the Z06 and that is the only reason I want to be sure before installing it.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,298
Likes: 12
From: Salt Lake City UT
I agree with FRCTony.
I don't think it would be a good idea to run the Pfadt Comp rear with a stock ZO6 front. This will probably not be a good balanced setup.
If you are going to use the Pfadt Comp rear get a Pfadt Comp front so you have a balanced system.
Call Aaron or Josh at Pfadt for additional assistance.
www.pfadtracing.com
I don't think it would be a good idea to run the Pfadt Comp rear with a stock ZO6 front. This will probably not be a good balanced setup.
If you are going to use the Pfadt Comp rear get a Pfadt Comp front so you have a balanced system.
Call Aaron or Josh at Pfadt for additional assistance.
www.pfadtracing.com
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Well, the guy I got it from used it for drag racing. Since I don't do any racing shouldn't it be free of any issues? The car already corners like on rails with the current bars, so where is the risk...that front bar is as stiff as I need for daily driving, or am I missing something? 
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 8
From: Hayward California
Let's see...
If a car was understeering (not turning when steering is turned) you go with a softer setting at front or stiffen the rear. To correct oversteer you do the opposite. The latter is what your about to do but like 10x's as much. When close to the limit, oversteer makes a car a major handful but yours would be bordering on dangerous
If you do it without getting a matched front bar, be prepared to experience a spin or very loose situation.
Unless the end links are uneven when installed, it's not necessary to realign after install.
Arnel
If a car was understeering (not turning when steering is turned) you go with a softer setting at front or stiffen the rear. To correct oversteer you do the opposite. The latter is what your about to do but like 10x's as much. When close to the limit, oversteer makes a car a major handful but yours would be bordering on dangerous
If you do it without getting a matched front bar, be prepared to experience a spin or very loose situation.
Unless the end links are uneven when installed, it's not necessary to realign after install.
Arnel
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
To say it simply...stiffer rear bar adds traction to front and takes it from rear...stiffer front bar adds traction to rear and takes it from front. Typically you can be ok on a vette with a stiffer front bar only as a slight push generated by a larger front bar is usually safer than oversteer created by a larger rear bar. So as AVB mentioned, be prepared for a more tail sliding car with that rear only.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,050
Likes: 7
From: Canadian Rockies
Let's see...
If a car was understeering (not turning when steering is turned) you go with a softer setting at front or stiffen the rear. To correct oversteer you do the opposite. The latter is what your about to do but like 10x's as much. When close to the limit, oversteer makes a car a major handful but yours would be bordering on dangerous
If you do it without getting a matched front bar, be prepared to experience a spin or very loose situation.
If a car was understeering (not turning when steering is turned) you go with a softer setting at front or stiffen the rear. To correct oversteer you do the opposite. The latter is what your about to do but like 10x's as much. When close to the limit, oversteer makes a car a major handful but yours would be bordering on dangerous
If you do it without getting a matched front bar, be prepared to experience a spin or very loose situation.
Nice explanation.
I saw the Pfadt rear bar for sale on the forum but decided not to get it since I'd have to buy the matching front.
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Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
To say it simply...stiffer rear bar adds traction to front and takes it from rear...stiffer front bar adds traction to rear and takes it from front. Typically you can be ok on a vette with a stiffer front bar only as a slight push generated by a larger front bar is usually safer than oversteer created by a larger rear bar. So as AVB mentioned, be prepared for a more tail sliding car with that rear only.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
If you are just going to drive around easy then it makes no difference. There is no point even trying to upgrade the suspension so you might as well not even install it.
If you push your car when turning you'd better be prepared for the back of the car to try to pass you... A LOT.
Either way, installing just that bar makes no sense. But hey, it's your car.
Peter
If you push your car when turning you'd better be prepared for the back of the car to try to pass you... A LOT.
Either way, installing just that bar makes no sense. But hey, it's your car.
Peter
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Yes, I agree, but I think they look way cool
And, I will most likely get the front bar in the future just to complete the set...now that the car is getting old I may begin autocrossing some day too. Also, I HAVE upgraded the suspension when I went with Z06 hardware....made a great improvement...got rid of body roll and nose dive at stops.
And, I will most likely get the front bar in the future just to complete the set...now that the car is getting old I may begin autocrossing some day too. Also, I HAVE upgraded the suspension when I went with Z06 hardware....made a great improvement...got rid of body roll and nose dive at stops.
Last edited by $$$frumnuttin'; May 19, 2008 at 07:56 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 871
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From: Elmira new york
Okay so I think you guys seem to know what you are talking about, any way check out my situation. I bought a hotchkis sway bar kit from L.A.P.D. for a c6Z. The bars are as follows 115% stiffer in the front and adjustable in the rear at 30% stiffer 80% stiffer of 150% stiffer. From what I get from you guys is to first see how the car reacts at 30% stiffer with the understeering and adjust acordingly stiffer till it feels right? Becuase of you all I am second guessing myself, everywhere else has said nothing but good things about stiffer bars. 
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I'd try the 80% setting, even though I believe it is 60%, 100% and 150% unless they've changed something.
The numbers are based on the Z51 bars and the Z51 has slightly more rear bar bias compared to a Z06. The Z06 bars are a decent balance for the base springs. So, 115% front and 100% rear would likely be pretty good on the base springs. Try it anyways.
Peter
The numbers are based on the Z51 bars and the Z51 has slightly more rear bar bias compared to a Z06. The Z06 bars are a decent balance for the base springs. So, 115% front and 100% rear would likely be pretty good on the base springs. Try it anyways.
Peter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Salt Lake City UT
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Again, sway bars should be matched. They largely control the balance of the car.
-Aaron
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 871
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From: Elmira new york
I'd try the 80% setting, even though I believe it is 60%, 100% and 150% unless they've changed something.
The numbers are based on the Z51 bars and the Z51 has slightly more rear bar bias compared to a Z06. The Z06 bars are a decent balance for the base springs. So, 115% front and 100% rear would likely be pretty good on the base springs. Try it anyways.
Peter
The numbers are based on the Z51 bars and the Z51 has slightly more rear bar bias compared to a Z06. The Z06 bars are a decent balance for the base springs. So, 115% front and 100% rear would likely be pretty good on the base springs. Try it anyways.
Peter
I think you should not install the bar without a matching front. I realize you are not racing, but any time you get the car to the limits of grip, this bar will make your car very tail happy. In normal street driving that is only going to happen in an emergency situation. You want the car to behave predictably in an emergency maneuver. For example, if you suddenly come across a stopped car in your lane (happens to all of us) and brake hard and switch lanes, the rear end will be extra 'loose' and the car will be likely to spin into the stopped car rather than just change lanes and miss the accident.
Again, sway bars should be matched. They largely control the balance of the car.
-Aaron
Again, sway bars should be matched. They largely control the balance of the car.
-Aaron
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
I think you should not install the bar without a matching front. I realize you are not racing, but any time you get the car to the limits of grip, this bar will make your car very tail happy. In normal street driving that is only going to happen in an emergency situation. You want the car to behave predictably in an emergency maneuver. For example, if you suddenly come across a stopped car in your lane (happens to all of us) and brake hard and switch lanes, the rear end will be extra 'loose' and the car will be likely to spin into the stopped car rather than just change lanes and miss the accident.
Again, sway bars should be matched. They largely control the balance of the car.
-Aaron
Again, sway bars should be matched. They largely control the balance of the car.
-Aaron
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 382
Likes: 5
From: Virginia
its all fun and games till you are cornering in the rain with a rear bar that's too big (stiff) or doesn't have the appropriate height endlinks for a lowered car. Your car's rear will snap loose so fast it will make your head spin.
WTF good does a rear sway bar do for drag racing?
rember back to 6th grade science, every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
If people remember this during suspension set up they would be a lot better off.
WTF good does a rear sway bar do for drag racing?
rember back to 6th grade science, every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
If people remember this during suspension set up they would be a lot better off.
Last edited by NASAblue; May 20, 2008 at 05:15 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 382
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From: Virginia
