C7 sway bars choices?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
C7 sway bars choices?
ok im growing very old waiting for C7 GM T1 package(sway bars), and like any bars would be a guess in they are the best for my z51 non mag ride car. i see LG motorsports have bars(and a few others) but their is not much information on them( my point is are they like c7 zo6 bars or c7 zo6/zo7 bars or like the c7 T1 bars if they ever come out?) it would be great if i only had to buy sway bars once, dollar wise one of the GMs would be best, can any one help me on this? i have a z51 non mag ride at stock ride height and only want to add sway bars!! my car last week at ponoco felt(and i was told looked) like the love boat swaying left to right, i run A7's so i have tons of GRIP. thanks for reading.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
You hit the nail on the head! We just don't know what will work with my/your needs. I'm pricing out c7 zo6 and zo7 sways right now, I have to start somewhere and their cost is far less than aftermarket. Wish me luck!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
I went ahead (putting my past experiences aside) and ordered an aFe/Pfadt sway bar set.
Arrived today - I'll put some impressions up over the weekend, assuming I can stand the heat and humidity in the garage. If nothing else, I'll post some real pics up today so we can at least see a kit in the flesh instead of on a website.
Even I don't have the measurements on the Z06/Z07 bars, but I know these are still much larger according to their specs.
Arrived today - I'll put some impressions up over the weekend, assuming I can stand the heat and humidity in the garage. If nothing else, I'll post some real pics up today so we can at least see a kit in the flesh instead of on a website.
Even I don't have the measurements on the Z06/Z07 bars, but I know these are still much larger according to their specs.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
I went ahead (putting my past experiences aside) and ordered an aFe/Pfadt sway bar set.
Arrived today - I'll put some impressions up over the weekend, assuming I can stand the heat and humidity in the garage. If nothing else, I'll post some real pics up today so we can at least see a kit in the flesh instead of on a website.
Even I don't have the measurements on the Z06/Z07 bars, but I know these are still much larger according to their specs.
Arrived today - I'll put some impressions up over the weekend, assuming I can stand the heat and humidity in the garage. If nothing else, I'll post some real pics up today so we can at least see a kit in the flesh instead of on a website.
Even I don't have the measurements on the Z06/Z07 bars, but I know these are still much larger according to their specs.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
There are so many popping up lately, Ben x, LG, WCC , ect all have bars with no testing that I trust, I can't wait to hear what you think about those, what made you give these a try first? Other than cost the reason im trying zo6/zo7 bars first is the base car loves the z51 bars so just maybe the zo7 bars will be enough for z51 car, there is a point when you can have to much bar, im going the safe way first, I just don't know! Which one just that I need more.
In the past, (and beyond the my issues with the previous company regarding headers and the S/C) I'd always heard good things about their suspension products.
I spoke to an aFe rep regarding how the business was being operated now, and how the products were being produced/tested. It seemed like a decent gamble based on previous products that people raved about on the C5/C6. They asked if I could give them an honest impression of my feelings on them, and if I wasn't satisfied, they'd take them right back.
Figured I'd give it a shot, especially since they're adjustable. I'll either start on the middle or least-aggressive setting since they're quite large-diameter bars.
If nothing else, if I end up liking them, you'll know I have no allegiance to the company. It was, however, nice to speak to them about the past issues and see how they resolved everything. Kind of closed that chapter for me, so I gave it a go. Fingers crossed.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
Sence you brought it up, they picked the right guy to test their bars, on your say so myself and about??? Forum members will buy these bars. No pressure on you, lol , just let me know what setting is best for a point and shoot autocrosser 60 to 90 MPH, thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 87
From: Richmond, BC, Canada
I chose the LG bars.
Based on reports from Lou, where he said he is "gathering up" Z06s with his C7 which has his bars.
I'll be trying them out next weekend.
But I also have ordered wider wheels, and will be running much wider tires
(maybe 305x30x19 front, and for sure 315x30x20 rear... Toyo r888)
Autocross loves wide tires.
Based on reports from Lou, where he said he is "gathering up" Z06s with his C7 which has his bars.
I'll be trying them out next weekend.
But I also have ordered wider wheels, and will be running much wider tires
(maybe 305x30x19 front, and for sure 315x30x20 rear... Toyo r888)
Autocross loves wide tires.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
I chose the LG bars.
Based on reports from Lou, where he said he is "gathering up" Z06s with his C7 which has his bars.
I'll be trying them out next weekend.
But I also have ordered wider wheels, and will be running much wider tires
(maybe 305x30x19 front, and for sure 315x30x20 rear... Toyo r888)
Autocross loves wide tires.
Based on reports from Lou, where he said he is "gathering up" Z06s with his C7 which has his bars.
I'll be trying them out next weekend.
But I also have ordered wider wheels, and will be running much wider tires
(maybe 305x30x19 front, and for sure 315x30x20 rear... Toyo r888)
Autocross loves wide tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 87
From: Richmond, BC, Canada
Yes, I bought the end links too.
LG told me I would "destroy" the stock ones with their bars.
Fronts have 2 holes for connecting , rears only 1.
I'm going to try the fronts on "soft" first.
LG told me I would "destroy" the stock ones with their bars.
Fronts have 2 holes for connecting , rears only 1.
I'm going to try the fronts on "soft" first.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,353
Likes: 779
Good decision. 
I'm not so sure about "destroying" the stock links, but for sure increased wear and tear and quicker failure than with stock bars. Would be much worse if you were lowered.
Regardless, it's 100% the right move.
I'm interested to see your input on the bars.
I'm not so sure about "destroying" the stock links, but for sure increased wear and tear and quicker failure than with stock bars. Would be much worse if you were lowered.
Regardless, it's 100% the right move.
I'm interested to see your input on the bars.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
someone please prove my dealer parts guy is wrong!, as i wait to hear from Theta and NTmd8r on their thoughts of aftermarket bars they have in hand. i stopped by my dealer for c7 zo6 and zo7 part numbers. after one hour of putting my FE3 next to the c7 zo6's FE6 and the zo7's FE7 he told me that all three front sway bars are the same(z51, zo6,zo7)only the bushing on the zo7 is different from my z51 and the zo6 which are the same, on the rear bar he said the zo6 and zo7 are different than z51 and both have their own bushing, so z07 bushing are not zo6 ones. he called the zo6 FE6 the performance suspension and the zo7 FE7 suspension the heavy duty one, in the end for me to upgrade to firmer i would have to go with 4 zo7 bushing and the zo6/zo7 rear bar. f.y.i. all end links are the same, can someone please prove him wrong! thanks, also if he's not wrong i just found a upgrade for z51 for under $160.00
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
That's interesting to say the least - from the aftermarket companies' findings, the Z06 bars did prove to be thicker (greater diameter) than the Z51 bars.
I can guarantee you they are different part numbers (which doesn't mean much, but still)...
I can guarantee you they are different part numbers (which doesn't mean much, but still)...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
Back to the drawing board, lol
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
There's always the chance - until I see it with my own eyes, I don't like to confirm things. Could be several other possibilities - internal thickness, small changes that aren't immediately noticeable, etc.
I've been told by two sway bar manufacturers that the Z06 bars are slightly larger than the Z51 bars, but not by enough to justify the cost or time involved in upgrading.
I've been told by two sway bar manufacturers that the Z06 bars are slightly larger than the Z51 bars, but not by enough to justify the cost or time involved in upgrading.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 87
From: Richmond, BC, Canada
I just installed the LG bars on my Convertible this morning.
The LG bars are the same size (diameter) as the stock ones,
because the bushings are stock size.
But the rear bar seems heavier, and the front bar is larger diameter in the
center section.
And we also installed Ferrodo 2500 brake pads.
So, next weekend.... both Saturday and Sunday we have back to back Autocrosses.
Of course, I STILL don't have my new wheels, so still running on the R888
265/35/19 and 285/35/20.
We'll see how things go.
The LG bars are the same size (diameter) as the stock ones,
because the bushings are stock size.
But the rear bar seems heavier, and the front bar is larger diameter in the
center section.
And we also installed Ferrodo 2500 brake pads.
So, next weekend.... both Saturday and Sunday we have back to back Autocrosses.
Of course, I STILL don't have my new wheels, so still running on the R888
265/35/19 and 285/35/20.
We'll see how things go.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
I just installed the LG bars on my Convertible this morning.
The LG bars are the same size (diameter) as the stock ones,
because the bushings are stock size.
But the rear bar seems heavier, and the front bar is larger diameter in the
center section.
And we also installed Ferrodo 2500 brake pads.
So, next weekend.... both Saturday and Sunday we have back to back Autocrosses.
Of course, I STILL don't have my new wheels, so still running on the R888
265/35/19 and 285/35/20.
We'll see how things go.
The LG bars are the same size (diameter) as the stock ones,
because the bushings are stock size.
But the rear bar seems heavier, and the front bar is larger diameter in the
center section.
And we also installed Ferrodo 2500 brake pads.
So, next weekend.... both Saturday and Sunday we have back to back Autocrosses.
Of course, I STILL don't have my new wheels, so still running on the R888
265/35/19 and 285/35/20.
We'll see how things go.
Glad that we were able to do these at a similar time with similar tires. I know people will sneer, but I usually use PTM in Dry mode to cut power when doing AutoX. I've spun out using Sport 1 and Sport 2 - too much power to control. I think I'd get myself killed turning all of them off (with the 6 second hold), and I've been racing (though not many AutoX) for years.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
There's always the chance - until I see it with my own eyes, I don't like to confirm things. Could be several other possibilities - internal thickness, small changes that aren't immediately noticeable, etc.
I've been told by two sway bar manufacturers that the Z06 bars are slightly larger than the Z51 bars, but not by enough to justify the cost or time involved in upgrading.
I've been told by two sway bar manufacturers that the Z06 bars are slightly larger than the Z51 bars, but not by enough to justify the cost or time involved in upgrading.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,685
Likes: 78
From: Winter Garden (central),FL,USA
The Z51 car has excellent balance right out-of-the-box--I'm just interested in a slightly bigger front bar, so I can run more front tire, and will leave the rear bar as-is.