I have a 91 RS 305 5spd I am wanting to put in larger sway bars. I have been reading the threads and finding conflicting information, I hope you can help. The RPO# says I have FE1 suspension but the threads I've read say 91 & 92 RS came stock with 34mm bars which is the F41. The F41 was a optionh right FE1 was stock?
Also I found a 85 Z28 IROC this car should have the 36mm bars I am looking for shouldn't it? The threads say the 85 Z28 had 34mm bars but the IROC was upgraded to the 36mm is that right? or were they all 34mm upgraded from the 32mm stock bars on the rs camaro? Hope you can help thank you

 

The 36/24 combo didn't arrive on some Camaros until 89-92. Some Birds got them 86-92. My 85 IROC was equipped with 34/24 combo.

JamesC

 

I always wondered about the real utilization difference between the 34 and the 36, as the 34 is solid and the 36 is hollow - alot of folks get the 36, but alot of folks also just grab the biggest everything figuring bigger is better (which isn't always the case in the real world - have any thoughts on this to satisfy my curosity James?

 

IIRC, the OE set-up went like this: stiffer springs, smaller sway bar (such as my IROC), softer springs, larger sway bar (such as the WS6). Many members mix and match according to their needs, especially in autocross.

JamesC

 

i though the 34mm was hollow? the smaller ones were solid?

 

34mm and 36mm are hollow and you can tell from the little pinch marks and convex shape towards the ends, where the solid is concave.


I didn't know that the springs were different and the combinations varied as well, but that would make sense though.

 

All the 36's are hollow, but not all the 34's--the one on my IROC wasn't, for example. The hollow ones also have a small hole on each side near the end (by the end links).

JamesC

 

I have a 34 front, 24 rear, and it makes me happy. I was just curious if the 36 (since I knew it was hollow) was actually stronger or better or whatever than a 34.

Now I'm curious, and I'm going to have to look and see if my 34 is solid or hollow - I had no idea 34's could be hollow as well.

Sorry to the OP for hijacking - but I thought it was kind of inline with your questions. If none of this answered your question - chime in, tell us to shut up and get back to the topic

 

i have a 36mm front bar on both my cars, and a 19mm solid on my 86 and a 1" custom 3pc bar on my 92. The 92 works really well, my 86 understeers a bit, think i need to try some softer front springs.

FWIW, i took the stock bar of my 86 years ago, it was a 34mm hollow.

 

Really?! I didn't know that. I'll have to keep an eye out for one of those. I have a larger solid one on my '86 and it seems to be more stout. (IIRC it's 32mm? I measured it a while back but don't recall what it is off hand.)

 

All information is good I spend a lot of time researching to figure out questions. My issue is I like black and white answers but it seems every thing here is grey Every time I think I have it frigured out I read some thing that changes it. Big bars are better although small bars can be better some times depends on if they are hallow or solid and springs/struts change all of it one way or the other! If you know some one that has the perfect set up it may not work on your car because it has a different personality then his I guess it comes down to an educated guess and see what happens. I suppose that is why cars are like women you never figure them out, but at least you can change the parts if you don't like them or they wear out oh and you can sell them if they frustrate you to much.

 

Now you understand!

JamesC

 

Great the one thing I understand is that I don't understand. I found mu digital calipers today and my RS is a FE1 with a 30mm FSB. I guess I will be off to the wrecking yard to see what I can find.

 

Pretty good analogies.

Different drivers prefer slightly different handling balance and/or "feel". It's not like grade school math where the answer that you give for 2 + 2 is either perfectly right or completely wrong - there aren't any absolute answers for this stuff. General ranges where you'll likely find what you like, yes. There are some engineering-oriented approaches that you can take if you're inclined toward that sort of thing, but even they aren't guaranteed to give you exactly what you're looking for. Eventually, it still comes down to trying something and going from there.


Norm