Can anyone tell me if there is a noticable improvement if I change the 1" front sway bar out to a 1 1/4" one. This of course assumes that both swaybars have new brackets and bushings?
Most definitely. If you put urethane bushings and end links on it at the same time, it will feel like a new car. I did it 30 years ago and it was the single biggest bang for the buck I ever did. You will not regret it if you pick it up at a salvage yard off of a early 80's Trans Am.
so 1/4" makes that big of a difference assuming urethane bushings and end links are changed on the 1" too?
Ya its a huge difference, does the car have a rear bar ? If it doesnt put one on it will make it corner flat. They sell them as a match set with everything you need. Summit or Jegs are a couple choices.
I agree with all the above. I added 1 1/4" front and 1" rear bar plus heavy duty springs (stock height) and WOW:eek2: what a difference. I haven't even pushed the car to it's limits yet because I can't stay in place on the bench seat! It will make the car stick in the corners.
A 1 1/4" bar will be 2.44 times as stiff as a 1" bar all else being equal. Stiffness = Diameter to the 4th power. The length of the lever arms have a big effect on how much of the stiffness is transmitted to the chassis. http://books.google.com/books?id=rY...esnum=10&ved=0CBwQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=&f=false
I beleive the correct years with the bar from a Pontiac Transam was 70-to the next body change. I think the 80's style was different bar but not 100%
And how much does a 1 1/4 inch bar, over a one inch bar, stiffen the ride? My guess is quiet a bit, but it is probably worth it for the lean control. I might try one after I install a rear bar.
Well, technically it will stiffen the ride a bit because it transfers suspension travel to the other side. Anyway, It's well worth it. I just did an overhaul on my '64 'vert. I did NOT use urathane bushings or HD springs. It ain't a race car for Pete's sake!! All new Moog stuff except for the Hotchkis upper arms. Stock height Moog springs. 1 1/4" Trans Am front sway bar, 1" factory style rear on boxed arms. Hotchkis connectors between the upper and lower rear mounts. Spindles and brakes from a '93 (late) cop car - 12" - rotors. The rotors are drilled and slotted EBC - '88-'92 1Le Camaro (small bolt pattern), with EBC Red ceramic pads (also cop car) and cop car calipers (thicker for the thicker, bigger pads). MBM 'vette style master cyl and prop valve with stock old booster. I used 'B' body tie rods and Hotchkis sleeves. I also have a 12:7 box out of a Grand Cherokee. I used big 'n little BFG Radial T/A's on dumb old 15" American racing 200S wheels (antiques). It made an amazing change in the handling of the car (I mean dead flat - even with rubber bushings) and the ride quality is pretty close to my '96 Roadmaster (with big bars on both ends). Hit the brakes and it stands on it's head. 23" ride height on all four corners. No squeaks or clunks either. I love it!!
