Sway bars from Fichtner (pics)
03-23-2005, 03:13 PM
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Sway bars from Fichtner (pics)
I just installed the Z51 sway bars I ordered from Fichtner Chevrolet.
Several excellent posts have been on this site regarding these bars. I took some shots during the install and thought I'd post them.
Below is a shot of the front bars. The factory sway bars are at the bottom of the shot - these came with my F55 suspension. Notice that the factory bar still has the connection arm attached. It's much easier to remove the connection arms with the bar and transfer them on a workbench to the new front bar then it is to remove the factory bar from the connection arm while still on the Vette - no room where you'd need get to it. Then, just install the new sway bar and arms as a unit to the front end.
Below is a photo of the rear bar - original at bottom. The new rear bar (top) is very much larger in diameter then the original. Also, notice that the connection arm is not on the factory original bar as I left that connected to the Vette. While working on the rear it's easier to remove the sway bar from the connection arm and leave the arm on the Vette.
I did the front first and struggled a bit removing the connection arm until I realized that the arm shaft has a 6mm allen recess to hold it still while you remove the nut with a 18mm wrench. The photo below shows the attaching of the rear sway bar to the connection arm using the allen to hold the shaft still. A ratchet box wrench comes in handy here.
Fichtner can be contacted by calling 800 234-5284. Ask for Bob in the Parts Department. He knew exactly what I needed. The set of bars was about $160 plus shipping.
BTW - It took about an hour to install the two sway bars.
Several excellent posts have been on this site regarding these bars. I took some shots during the install and thought I'd post them.
Below is a shot of the front bars. The factory sway bars are at the bottom of the shot - these came with my F55 suspension. Notice that the factory bar still has the connection arm attached. It's much easier to remove the connection arms with the bar and transfer them on a workbench to the new front bar then it is to remove the factory bar from the connection arm while still on the Vette - no room where you'd need get to it. Then, just install the new sway bar and arms as a unit to the front end.
Below is a photo of the rear bar - original at bottom. The new rear bar (top) is very much larger in diameter then the original. Also, notice that the connection arm is not on the factory original bar as I left that connected to the Vette. While working on the rear it's easier to remove the sway bar from the connection arm and leave the arm on the Vette.
I did the front first and struggled a bit removing the connection arm until I realized that the arm shaft has a 6mm allen recess to hold it still while you remove the nut with a 18mm wrench. The photo below shows the attaching of the rear sway bar to the connection arm using the allen to hold the shaft still. A ratchet box wrench comes in handy here.
Fichtner can be contacted by calling 800 234-5284. Ask for Bob in the Parts Department. He knew exactly what I needed. The set of bars was about $160 plus shipping.
BTW - It took about an hour to install the two sway bars.
Last edited by DryHeat; 03-23-2005 at 03:42 PM.
03-23-2005, 04:06 PM
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Burning Brakes
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
I did this mod with the help of the written descriptons by natejohn and mikey6. It was pretty easy, but DO leave the connecting link on the front bar..It is much easier..Take my word for it. I think the handling and the ride are improved. It is much flatter. In terms of butt feel, I think that the bars enhance the difference in the tour and sport mode in my F55.
Good results for the money in my opinion.
Jim
Good results for the money in my opinion.
Jim
03-23-2005, 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by S2K
I've also been considering this, thanks for posting.. Can you comment on the differences on the road?
03-23-2005, 04:59 PM
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Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '09-'11
The MSRC system uses brake, throttle, steering angle, lateral acceleration, vehicle speed data, and wheel movement sensors to vary current flow to the electromagnets in the shocks which control the magnetorheological effect to provide the correct damping. This current flow is based on various algorithms developed for MSRC. I assume the algorithms were based on the standard F55 sway bars, etc. I wonder if the larger Z51 sway bars will work optimally with MSRC during all types of driving conditions considering these preset algorithms.
03-23-2005, 05:20 PM
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Burning Brakes
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Nice shots that show the diference between the normal bars and those on the Z51. The Z51 bars are mighty hefty compared to the anemic looking standard version. The Z51's have to make a huge difference in handling.
03-23-2005, 06:26 PM
#9
Race Director
Originally Posted by Wass
The MSRC system uses brake, throttle, steering angle, lateral acceleration, vehicle speed data, and wheel movement sensors to vary current flow to the electromagnets in the shocks which control the magnetorheological effect to provide the correct damping. This current flow is based on various algorithms developed for MSRC. I assume the algorithms were based on the standard F55 sway bars, etc. I wonder if the larger Z51 sway bars will work optimally with MSRC during all types of driving conditions considering these preset algorithms.
If the sway bars do just keep the body more level during cornering, the MSRC will still get all the same sensing from the inputs you discussed above, and the system should work just as it does with the stock sway bars.
Bob
03-23-2005, 06:47 PM
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Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '09-'11
Originally Posted by beezeye
Unless there's a body-angle input into the algorithm, I doubt that MSRC system will even know there's been a change. If the sway bars do help control wheel movement, then it's just helping the MSRC do it's job - but I think the sway bars are primarily reducing body-lean during hard cornering.
If the sway bars do just keep the body more level during cornering, the MSRC will still get all the same sensing from the inputs you discussed above, and the system should work just as it does with the stock sway bars.
Bob
If the sway bars do just keep the body more level during cornering, the MSRC will still get all the same sensing from the inputs you discussed above, and the system should work just as it does with the stock sway bars.
Bob
04-05-2005, 09:15 PM
#16
Race Director
Originally Posted by DryHeat
$160 plus shipping (see end of original post 
)
)
04-05-2005, 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Wass
It's pretty complicated. Look at this link and scroll half way down to The Deep-Geek of MR: the "Sky Hook" Algorithm: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=503
"On relatively smooth roads near the car's limits in abrupt transitions and turns at high lateral acceleration, a MR car's base springs and stabilizer bars show their inadequate roll stiffness. Sources tell us that DIY tuners can trade a little isolation to make up some of this roll stiffness deficit by adding Z51 stabilizer bars to MR cars. A C5 in the hands of a talented, aggressive driver will react well to that change"
Sounds good to me.
