Hi,

Can you please tell me what the difference is between :

Factory original anti roll sway bars,
Reproduction cheaper type, possibly clone of original,
Reproduction high-end Hotchkiss etc.

Just need to know if i should refurb my factory originals, or purchase a new set.

Thanks from Luke

 

1st question, how are you planning on using your car?

 

The difference can be night and day, and almost as great as no swaybar vs. any swaybar. I think for most average driving factory swaybars front and rear are more than adequate. If you're planning any performance driving, then you probably will want to step up to one of the aftermarket swaybar systems front and rear.
Which swaybar you use depends on what's available to you, and what you want to spend. The only thing I can tell you for sure is that you don't want to go less than 1.25" front, and 1" rear. Anything smaller wont be any better than stock. Also make sure that whatever brand you buy is the same for front and rear; don't mix brands.

 

As said above. Sway bars can help or hinder handling. For best handling results the front and rear bars have to complement each other.
Properly sized sway bars is a balancing act, increase stiffness to a sway bar on one end, reduces the side grip of that axle, while increasing the side grip on the other end. To avoid making things worse, purchase the bars in matched sets, and do not try to mix and match.

A softer front bar:
1. Increases front chassis roll.
2. Increases front grip or traction, while decreasing rear grip or traction.
3. Slower steering response.
4. Increases off-power steering at corner entry.

A stiffer front bar:
1. Decreases front chassis roll.
2. Decreases front grip or traction, while increasing rear grip or traction.
3. Faster steering response.
4. Decreases off-power steering at corner entry.
5. Makes the car push/plow when cornering.

A softer rear bar:
1. Increases rear chassis roll
2. Increases rear grip or traction, while decreasing front grip or traction.
3. Less on-power steering.

A stiffer rear bar:
1. Decreases rear chassis roll.
2. Decreases rear traction, while increasing front grip or traction.
3. Faster steering response in high speed corners and chicanes.
4. Increases on-power steering.
5. Makes the rear end want to wash out when cornering.

In a drag racing car the front bar does nothing except to add dead weight. The rear bar should be has stiff as possible to prevent the right rear wheel from unloading due to torque.

 

Tomorrow I'll see if I can lay all mine side by side for a pic. I have base Camaro, Z28, and aftermarket. My car will get 1 1/4" front and 7/8" adjustable rear. Springs play a roll in sway bars too. Some pros have stiff bars and soft springs. Some have soft bars and stiff springs. The company I went through sent me a package designed to work together. Its balanced medium spring and bars.

 

Hi,

Thanks for all the replys, the car will be used mainly on the street but might do afew drag runs in the future. I have a 500BHP Big Block which will be going in.

 

As was noted, drag racing wont really mean much with or without swaybars, so not any effect on what you ought really. Mostly street driving the stock sized swaybars should be fine.