467-Ratman

I am in the process of changing my rear end cover and installing new HD stub axles as well. My car was a small block car so it has only a front sway bar, not very big either, and no sway bar for the back end. What would be a good size for the front and rear bars? I am not planning on hard road course driving, but just want very good handling. My car has a 454 with iron heads and no AC, muncie 4 speed and 3:70 rear gear.

Corey_68

Several BB guys told me NOT to go back with a rear sway bar, said handling and ride would decrease. Not sure why not to go /w one other than a softer ride, but I'm not building a luxury car.

Anyone care to comment becuase I'm curious as well?
:cheers:

Jughead

I'm going with the factory setup, which I believe is 1 inch front bar and a 9/16 rear bar. I got a used rear bar from Contemporary Corvette with the stock(& more solid) end links. I figure the factory must know something about the BB handling. I have only the 3/4 inch front SB bar now. :chevy

69 N.O.X. RATT

I have a 454 w/ aluminum heads and am using an after market 1 1/8 front and no rear sway bar. I have 550 front springs and a 360 rear fiberglass, Bilstien shocks etc.

For a 1969 car I am happy with the way in handles

467-Ratman

Sounds like I have a similar setup, 550 bb springs and fiberglass rear spring, and KYB shocks. Like I said I don't plan on going around corners at 50mph, just want everything to stay together.

71vettman

I have a 454 with an all aluminum top end, 550's in front with a 1 1/4bar and in the rear is a dual mount adjustable composite spring with a 7/8 bar in the rear with gas shocks. I have no body roll and the car feels very solid and rides surprisingly smooth. You are gona feel the potholes though but that dosent bother me much because most roads I use are fairly smooth.

flynhi

Check with Dick Guldstrand in CA.

LT1driver

stock big block front bar is 15/16 with 9/16 rear bar, FE7 late c3 had 1-1/8 front and 7/16 rear for best combo, course no big blocks then. :cry

73 LS-4

A lot depends on the rest of the setup, the stiffer the springs the less swaybar you need to run. This is why a lot of the old racing C3s have relatively small swaybars. Also keep in mind the factory didn't have in mind 16 or 17" wheels with sticky meats in mind when these cars were built. If you don't plan on autocrossing the car then 1 1/8" front and 5/8" rear bars would work fine. Of course your biggest difference in handling would be upgrading the wheels and tires. There's not a lot of us on here that autocross big block cars, so setups are going to differ quite a bit depending on preference. Also drop as much weight off the nose as possible to try and get a better weight balance, makes a world of difference. My setup is in my sig. below, ride is firm but not harsh, about what you expect out of a sports car, but not as bad as the 86 Z-51, I'll be going to heavier springs this spring hopefully. I'd also advise adjustable end links on the rear for increased tuneability.

:cheers:
Pat Kunz


[Modified by 73 LS-4, 1:04 AM 3/9/2003]

Les

Excellent advice- I did just that a few months ago & was told to stay with the stock size sway bars. They could have made some $$$ from me by saying otherwise. By the way, although I was just calling for some basic advice his calltaker told me he'd be available to talk to me personally if I didn't mind waiting a few minutes. CLASS ACT! :cheers: