. I must explain myself completely so the engineers dont jump 
Sway bars - which ones to use?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 862
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg MD
Sway bars - which ones to use?
I have a 09 C6 with a F55 shocks but base level sway bars (3LT).
Plan to do a few track days and Test and Tunes at the local strip. It is a daily driver but I dont mind a harsh ride. Commute is only 15 mins.
Looking for forum recommendations on which way to go with a sway bar upgrade.
OEM Z06 bars?
Pfadt Street, or Comp?
Others?
Plan to do a few track days and Test and Tunes at the local strip. It is a daily driver but I dont mind a harsh ride. Commute is only 15 mins.
Looking for forum recommendations on which way to go with a sway bar upgrade.
OEM Z06 bars?
Pfadt Street, or Comp?
Others?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
You will be VERY happy with the Z51 sways from GM! Gene Culley will take care of you gmpartshouse.com about $220.00 shipped, I think? also the pfadt poly bushing's are a nice compliment while your at it, about $45.00 don't do the Z06 IMHO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
If by "Strip" you mean "drag strip" then keep your stock swaybars; there is no drag racing advantage to larger swaybars; if anything theywill add weight to your car.
For HANDLING you will want Z-51 bars unless you have some sticker tires in which case you can use a larger bar.
For HANDLING you will want Z-51 bars unless you have some sticker tires in which case you can use a larger bar.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
I bought the Hotchkis because they're relatively inexpensive, are probably lighter (have yet to weigh), they've worked well in the past and the rear bar is adjustable. You can dial in the rear to be a bit less than the rate of the Z06, the same as the Z06 or more aggressive than the Z06 rear sway bar.
San
San
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30,317
Likes: 165
From: Reading PA
Thank you very kindly for the referral. Most people do go with the Z51 sway bars though.
||--Z51 Sway Bar Kit--||
10323434 – Front stabilizer bar
10339124 – Rear stabilizer bar
10387838 (2) – Front stabilizer insulators
15241135 (2) – Rear stabilizer insulators
Complete kit front and rear is 199.24
For the Z51 bars on our website, use part number c6z51bars on our website under Chevrolet make.
||--Z51 Sway Bar Kit--||
10323434 – Front stabilizer bar
10339124 – Rear stabilizer bar
10387838 (2) – Front stabilizer insulators
15241135 (2) – Rear stabilizer insulators
Complete kit front and rear is 199.24
For the Z51 bars on our website, use part number c6z51bars on our website under Chevrolet make.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 975
Likes: 67
From: Pleasant Hill Ca.
Three weeks ago I put on the Pfadt Street Sways on my '08 C6 w/ F55 (3LT). My concern was going w/ something too tight and stiff. However the tour mode is still very comfortable while the sport mode does offer nice stiffness through the corners. Fortunately, four days after the install, I did a whole day of racing the corners in a NASA event at Thunderhill Park north of the Bay Area. The reason I went w/ Pfadt was so I could have adjustments in both the front and back sways. Hotchkiss as I understand it only have the adjustments in the rear. I guess for anyone who appreciates the craftsmanship of the MGW short shifters, will certainly agree these sway bars by Pfadt are just as impressive to look at. The only disappointment I have in my MGW is that it is completely covered up. Now that is a different story w/ the sways. An owner can always view them and be reminded that these are made superbly. Well worth it for me to spend a few extra bucks more and end up w/ a set that looks and handles this beautifully!
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
If you ever plan on going with wider and/or stickier tires I'd go with the Z06 sway bars. I used to use the Z06 sway bars with the F55 suspension (with wider wheels/tires) and they worked well.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River Alaska
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 3
From: Buena Park CA
I also have the Z06 sway bars (front and back) and really like them as they force the tires to the ground, however, if you still have the stock tires on, then you will have a tendancy to oversteer when turning a corner hard. But, if you (and I do) plan on installing some Toyo 335/30-18's for the rear in the future, the Z06 sway bars will be a perfect marriage....it'll drive like a Formula 1.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
I also have an 09' with F55 and installed Z51 swaybars from Gene Culley last Friday night. Drove it all day Saturday with a lot of focus on evaluating bang for the buck and only detected a very mild firming up of the ride compared to stock. Cornering is flatter but I would say that I lost very little with respect to F55 ride quality by making the swap.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
I also have the Z06 sway bars (front and back) and really like them as they force the tires to the ground, however, if you still have the stock tires on, then you will have a tendancy to oversteer when turning a corner hard. But, if you (and I do) plan on installing some Toyo 335/30-18's for the rear in the future, the Z06 sway bars will be a perfect marriage....it'll drive like a Formula 1.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 122
Likes: 3
From: Azle Texas
I am not trying to hijack the post but...
Thank you very kindly for the referral. Most people do go with the Z51 sway bars though.
||--Z51 Sway Bar Kit--||
10323434 – Front stabilizer bar
10339124 – Rear stabilizer bar
10387838 (2) – Front stabilizer insulators
15241135 (2) – Rear stabilizer insulators
Complete kit front and rear is 199.24
For the Z51 bars on our website, use part number c6z51bars on our website under Chevrolet make.
||--Z51 Sway Bar Kit--||
10323434 – Front stabilizer bar
10339124 – Rear stabilizer bar
10387838 (2) – Front stabilizer insulators
15241135 (2) – Rear stabilizer insulators
Complete kit front and rear is 199.24
For the Z51 bars on our website, use part number c6z51bars on our website under Chevrolet make.
Does the kit include endlinks?
I would love for everyone to sound off their opinion on the direction I should go, last thing I need is a garage full of "that's not getting it done" parts.
I do 99% street driving, the car feels a little swishy, I kinda thought the suspension would have less body roll than it does.
After reading and then re-reading everyone's posts I am more confused now as to which direction I should go.
thanks
Last edited by vetteflyer05; Jun 9, 2009 at 08:09 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
Will this kit work with my stock c6, non f55 car?
Does the kit include endlinks?
I would love for everyone to sound off their opinion on the direction I should go, last thing I need is a garage full of "that's not getting it done" parts.
I do 99% street driving, the car feels a little swishy, I kinda thought the suspension would have less body roll than it does.
After reading and then re-reading everyone's posts I am more confused now as to which direction I should go.
thanks
Does the kit include endlinks?
I would love for everyone to sound off their opinion on the direction I should go, last thing I need is a garage full of "that's not getting it done" parts.
I do 99% street driving, the car feels a little swishy, I kinda thought the suspension would have less body roll than it does.
After reading and then re-reading everyone's posts I am more confused now as to which direction I should go.
thanks
San
