Suspension and Chassis Questions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?

Sway bar

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 3, 2009 | 10:07 PM
  #1  
kowalzekc's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Sway bar

So just out of curiosity, what is the largest from sway bar you all have seen for sale or used on our cars? I think I have seen 38mm but I was wondering if anything larger has been found or used.

Thanks
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2009 | 06:54 AM
  #2  
DJP87Z28's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,771
Likes: 15
From: Florida
Car: 1987 Black IROC-Z (SOLD)
Re: Sway bar

Big is not always better in sway bar size....
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2009 | 07:44 AM
  #3  
kowalzekc's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Re: Sway bar

Originally Posted by DJP87Z28
Big is not always better in sway bar size....
I understand that, I was just wondering what people have seen and are running
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2009 | 07:49 AM
  #4  
BMR Sales's Avatar
Former Sponsor
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: Tampa
Re: Sway bar

I believe the 38 is the biggest.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2009 | 08:41 AM
  #5  
kowalzekc's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Re: Sway bar

Originally Posted by BMR Sales
I believe the 38 is the biggest.
you

Do you sell this size or know where I can get one that size?
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2009 | 09:50 AM
  #6  
BMR Sales's Avatar
Former Sponsor
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: Tampa
Re: Sway bar

Originally Posted by kowalzekc
Do you sell this size or know where I can get one that size?
I was mistaken, after a little research 36mm is the biggest. We only sell a 32 for the 3rd gen but offer a hollow 35 for the 4th gen. Thats where I got mixed up.

Sorry...
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2009 | 09:58 AM
  #7  
Stephen's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 12,212
Likes: 13
From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Sway bar

You don't say whether your looking at front or rear bars, but as said above....Big is not always better.

I have the biggest factory bars on my GTA & I actually want to go SMALLER in the rear.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2009 | 10:05 AM
  #8  
kowalzekc's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Re: Sway bar

Originally Posted by Stephen
You don't say whether your looking at front or rear bars, but as said above....Big is not always better.

I have the biggest factory bars on my GTA & I actually want to go SMALLER in the rear.
Your right, I should have stated the front. I want a very decent sized from sway bar...38mm if I can find one. My rear I am just going to leave stock. I have heard that a lot of people who go with larger rear sway bars find that the rear tires do not bit as well in the turns and will cause over steer issues. I have actually heard of people running a v-6 rear sway bar and have found improved cornering and reduced over steer issues.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2009 | 11:07 AM
  #9  
Scorpner's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 4
From: MN
Car: 85 SC, 86 Berlinetta
Engine: V6, V8
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4
Re: Sway bar

IMO, I would differentiate the two types of sway bars first and then compare sizes. The solid sway bars are often viewed as more responsive, but are also much heavier. If you think about it, a solid bar is going to resist torsion better than a hollow one would. I have a solid stock one on my Berlinetta and like it a lot. My biggest issue with these is that the end links seem to like to loosen up.

GM made both styles and are a cheap alternative compared to the aftermarket ones. The largest hollow front bars are typically 34mm and 36mm. I'm not sure about the solid ones though. You could probably pick up a set of stock ones a lot cheaper than aftermarket. Say $50-$100 vs. $300 and up.

Some of the aftermarket ones include BMR, UMI, Hotchkis and Spohn. I've often heard that these bars are far better than any of the stock ones but haven't tried any out yet.

I do have a used set of BMR,s that I have yet to install and the previous owner told me that I would need to run 315's in the back to even things out. They are a matched set so I will give this a try before changing the rear one out. They are solid BTW. I've heard good things about Hotchkiss too, but I'm not sure they're selling the same thing anymore since they only appear to be selling hollow 36mm's.

I think that a set of 17"F/18"R Vette rims and some Eagle F1 GS-D3's would help the over steering issue as well.

Last edited by Scorpner; Nov 4, 2009 at 11:10 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2009 | 01:27 PM
  #10  
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: Sway bar

What have you done to the car so far, and what is the cars factory specs we are dealing with?

Maybe I can give you some different helpful advice other than mounting a massive sway bar onto a car than does not need that kind of roll weight resistance- unless you have installed a big block into it or such?

A sway bar is a fine tuning tool, not a major suspension handling device. You need to have a bar within perimeters of lateral and longitudinal, and height chassis balance.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2009 | 03:39 PM
  #11  
kowalzekc's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Re: Sway bar

Originally Posted by Vetruck
What have you done to the car so far, and what is the cars factory specs we are dealing with?

Maybe I can give you some different helpful advice other than mounting a massive sway bar onto a car than does not need that kind of roll weight resistance- unless you have installed a big block into it or such?

A sway bar is a fine tuning tool, not a major suspension handling device. You need to have a bar within perimeters of lateral and longitudinal, and height chassis balance.
So I am doing TPIS shocks/struts. A prokit until I can afford the Ground Control weight jack set up. I am going to do energy suspesion bushings. I have poly rod combo adjustable Panhard bar and LC arms. I am keeping the stock engine and 5 speed untile things go boom. I currently have 275-40-17 all around Also planning on doing SFC this winter and a 6 point cage next winter....money providing that is.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2009 | 01:27 AM
  #12  
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: Sway bar

You have nothing out of the ordinary that a big bar 36/23 or 36/19 combo should do great.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BrianChevy
Wheels and Tires
10
Aug 8, 2019 02:16 PM
BrianChevy
Wheels and Tires
5
Oct 13, 2015 12:33 PM
darwinprice
Organized Drag Racing and Autocross
17
Oct 11, 2015 11:51 PM
loud91rs
Camaros for Sale
7
Oct 5, 2015 10:05 PM
meeklay812
Camaros for Sale
1
Oct 1, 2015 03:46 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:41 AM.