Sway bars affect ride?
01-11-2009, 08:00 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Sway bars affect ride?
If I take the Z51 sway bars off of my 87 track car and install them on my 94 convertible with poly bushings are these going to adversely affect the smooth comfortable ride I enjoy on the vert?
I guess theoretically they shouldnt, perhaps the poly bushings even have less friction than the rubber factory ones.
Does anyone have any actual experience with something like this to give me the heads up?
Thanks
Royi
I guess theoretically they shouldnt, perhaps the poly bushings even have less friction than the rubber factory ones.
Does anyone have any actual experience with something like this to give me the heads up?
Thanks
Royi
01-11-2009, 08:56 AM
#2
Racer
Member Since: Jun 2008
Location: Janesville WI
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Stiffer sway bars will not "ruin" the ride, but the difference will be felt.
Particularly when only one side hits a road irregularity. For instance if your right front hits a pot hole, the sway bar will force the left wheel initially down, then back up again to follow the movement of the right. There is a reason luxury cars traditionally have small sway bars and soft springs. Every thing is a compromise.
That said, bigger sway bars w softer springs will normally make for a better ride than say higher rate springs, while keeping a smoother ride.
Particularly when only one side hits a road irregularity. For instance if your right front hits a pot hole, the sway bar will force the left wheel initially down, then back up again to follow the movement of the right. There is a reason luxury cars traditionally have small sway bars and soft springs. Every thing is a compromise.
That said, bigger sway bars w softer springs will normally make for a better ride than say higher rate springs, while keeping a smoother ride.
01-11-2009, 08:58 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
I installed a Z51 sway bar from an 84 into my 86, and what I noticed was a firmness up front, and more control into the turns.
i also noticed that the bumps were a little harsh if I was in a turn and the road is uneven.
The original sway bar was tubular, in that it was made out of steel tube, then heat treated.
The 84 sway bar was a solid bar, and weighed 3 times as much and was harder to install by myself due to the weight.
I had to use coat hangers to hold up one end while I played with the other end.
The poly bushing kit comes with US std. hardware, and the original bolts were larger metric.
I had to drill out the bushing adapters (the little H brackets that bolt to the control arms) to make it alll work.
The car had to be on totally level ground to keep from fighting with the bar and the car to get the bolts in.
i also noticed that the bumps were a little harsh if I was in a turn and the road is uneven.
The original sway bar was tubular, in that it was made out of steel tube, then heat treated.
The 84 sway bar was a solid bar, and weighed 3 times as much and was harder to install by myself due to the weight.
I had to use coat hangers to hold up one end while I played with the other end.
The poly bushing kit comes with US std. hardware, and the original bolts were larger metric.
I had to drill out the bushing adapters (the little H brackets that bolt to the control arms) to make it alll work.
The car had to be on totally level ground to keep from fighting with the bar and the car to get the bolts in.
Last edited by coupeguy2001; 01-11-2009 at 09:00 AM.
01-12-2009, 06:20 AM
#5
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Roy
01-12-2009, 03:36 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
I didn't notice any additional harshness in the car, but mine rode pretty rough as it was. I had also added the R&D camberbrace and crossbar for extra chassis stiffness. 
04-02-2009, 03:18 PM
#11
all the braces totaly changed my vert. riding over uneven bumps felt wierd at first being so stiff,. I don't have big bars yet, but I will if I still have it.