I have found a 1985 Camaro with a "large" sway bar on it, it looks factory (but what do I know) it is way larger than the one on the front of my 1989 RS...What would be the affect of putting this larger bar on my car, without upgrading the rear bar also...I do have arear bar, but it is very small.....Would this help handling, or hurt it????? Am going with all poly bushings this week, so I figured I would change the bar too...If it is a good idea...Thanks, Tom

 

If you go oversize on one end or the other you will create over or understeer issues. That's why you see sway bar sets sold in matched pairs.

A safer and more reliable way to improve on what you already have is to change / replace the rubber bushings and end links either with poly's or new rubber. Dont mix them though.

If the larger sway bar you found is on a Z28, and you can get the rear bar as well, grab them both. Just replace all of the bushings as mentioned and enjoy. I did the same thing on my RS...made a big difference. Also, if the OE wonder bar is still on the Z, grab it too. It'll bolt right in to your RS.

Happy hunting

 

FYI. My 85 IROC came equipped with a solid 34/24 combo (the largest GM had to offer was the hollow 36/solid 24 combo and these didn't find their way into Camaros from the factory until 89, Firebirds in 86). Wonderbars are only part of the IROC package, by the way. As Wade mentions, go of the set. Use greaseable poly bushings and poly end links.

JamesC

 

Got the wonder bar, and this freakin sway bar is HUGE..........Never seen nothing like it...The rear is gone (Bummer) I got the whole 3 inch exhaust including the kitty..........(Cool) The guy told me he sold the rear cuz it was a posi...(Figures) Got the Edelbrock headers...I hope they fit.........

 

Should you want a matching rear, the GM solid 24, I think, is still available from GM: p/n 10035033.

JamesC

 

Sizes depend on what you want/need. I run the 36mm front with a 19mm IIRC rear. The smaller rear will allow a bit more weight transfer when coming off a corner allowing hopefully greater rear grip. They don't have to match how they came from the factory.

My 2 centavos