Need a suggestion for a little stiffer sway bar

jmont64 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Need a suggestion for a little stiffer sway bar

66 Beau · Poncho Master!

As I recall, the front sway bar from an '81 (and related years) Camaro will fit. The Z28's had the 1-1/4" sway bars. You should be able to get one cheap at a salvage yard.

I put a 1-1/8" in on my Beaumont (from a non Z-28 Camaro - price was right) and it made a world of difference. The 1-1/4" would likely flatten out cornering stance even more, but I'm happy with the 1-1/8". My gut feel tells me I'd need to put in stiffer bushings front & rear before I'd see much difference between the 1-1/8" and the 1-1/4".

jlysholm · Guru

You can't go wrong with the Hotchkiss performance suspension Jerel. It doesn't come cheap... but it's noticeably way better than stock. Almost everything on my ride is Hotchkiss except for the front A-arms.

marshalldude · Guru

i use umi suspension parts very nice stuff but so is hottkiss good luck can't go wrong with either

http://umiperformance.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_27

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

SPOHN performance have nice products

bowtieboy · Addicted!

I'm running a gen 2 TA sway bar on my 67. Stiffened the car right up, that combined with a factory rear sway bar makes it handle like its on rails.

Also I've got poly suspension bushings in all corners.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Yup, I agree, (being a budget minded kind of guy!), the stock F body 1 1/4" front bar and a stock rear one.

bowtieboy · Addicted!

Carl Stevenson wrote:
Yup, I agree, (being a budget minded kind of guy!), the stock F body 1 1/4" front bar and a stock rear one.

Yup did both swaybars and bushings for less than a hotchkiSs would have cost.

I didn't see a need to go crazy really. Also I boxed the lower and upper control arms out back fwiw.

ak 67sd · Poncho Master!

I have the F body on the front, and a summit 1" on the rear... the F body, is a nice beefy upgrade from the factory bar. The main difference between the OEM and some aftermarket bars is that the OEM is solid (heavier) and some aftermarkets are hollow... same performance, less weight... unless you are chasing every pound, I wouldn't spend added $ on a hollow bar.

ak

Beau 69 · Addicted!

marshalldude wrote:
i use umi suspension parts very nice stuff but so is hottkiss good luck can't go wrong with either
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_27

X2 rear sway and lower control arms from UMI fit fine, much more stable feel to car

under load.

I believe cheaper than Hotchkis, also a good product

bzbaz63 · Addicted!

I have a 69 Beaumont Convertible .
I bought but haven't installed yet a set of Tubular front and rear adjustable hellwig front and rear sway bars.
I also now have the hotchkis small block 2 inch lowering springs and am installing the matching 2 inch lowering springs for the rear. I also ordered a UMI control arm braces . I ordered my parts on Amazon.com & UMI direct.
I got the sway bars , the rear springs & UMI braces for under 900.00

I also previously boxed my control arms and added poly eurethane bushings.

I also picked up a winter beater currently using for the winter for 450.00 .
It's a 94 Buick Roadmaster which I will be using the spindles (tall camber ball joints) & front brakes , steering box ( quick ratio) and whatever else I can salvage ? ( LT1 350 engine , new rebuilt 4 L60 E etc )to recoupe $.

I'm hoping it will handle a little better than stock this spring.

From my research , I think I'm heading in the right direction .

-- Edited by bzbaz63 on Tuesday 6th of January 2015 01:09:20 AM

-- Edited by bzbaz63 on Tuesday 6th of January 2015 01:10:30 AM

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Interesting biggrin a lowered down 69 rag top, to handle like a sports car .... interesting

beaumontguru · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I am really happy with the basic Summit brand bars front and rear for a-body. They are big, and look to be exactly the same as the helwig brand right down to the hammertone finish. If you upgrade the front, be sure to plate the frame or install a plate with nuts and bolts at the bushings, otherwise you will tear it right out of the frame.

Boxing the rear arms is good too.

The look and fit of a factory rear bar is better than the summit one, but its a question of price

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Spohn Performance,

64-67 A Body adjustable rear bar.

Chevelle-A-Body-Adjustable-Pro-Touring-Rear-Sway-Bar-918-2.jpg

Probably a little too much, but this style, imop is the very best way to go.

I have dealt with Spohn numerous times, and have nothing but good to say.

As stated, the 1" Summit bar seems like a very good value for the price.

bzbaz63 · Addicted!

What can I say. I love this car .

It's fun to drive . The ultimate toy.

bzbaz63 · Addicted!

Not the same as the Summit Bars.
The Helwig rear attaches to the frame & is adjustable .

1969 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE Hellwig Motorsports Rear Tubular Sway Bars 55868 adjustable

1969 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE Hellwig Motorsports Front Tubular Sway Bars 55703
The Summit front looks the same at 24.00 less

SAFASTRO · Member

I put the 1 1/4" F-body sway bar on my 65 for $30 from the local Pick n Pull. Best upgrade for the money so far. Just need to get new bushings now. :)

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

OR save money and slow down in the corners.... confuse confuse

jmont64 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

427carl wrote:
OR save money and slow down in the corners....

That is where I speed up. They never have radar there.

68sd396rag · Poncho Master!

Need a suggestion for a little stiffer sway bar

Viagra? LOL

jmont64 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

68sd396rag wrote:
Need a suggestion for a little stiffer sway bar

Viagra? LOL

Sometimes I drive longer than 4 hours.

Beaumontster · Veteran Member

I bough a 77 trans am 1 1/8 front sway bar from a nieghbour,for my 66 Beaumont, after parts guy at agm showed me an article in a hot rod nagazine . direct fit believe it or not!!!

bzbaz63 · Addicted!

I installed the 1 5/16 hellwig front only so far and it made a huge difference.'
It rides flat around corners . 75 % better than original. Now to install the rear tubular touring bar in the rear and
my new Hotchkis rear lowering springs to make it 100 % better.

-- Edited by bzbaz63 on Saturday 4th of April 2015 11:14:43 AM

jmont64 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

dave the slave wrote:
I bough a 77 trans am 1 1/8 front sway bar from a nieghbour,for my 66 Beaumont, after parts guy at agm showed me an article in a hot rod nagazine . direct fit believe it or not!!!

Brian on here told me the same thing and I think that is what he has on his 64. I had kept my eye open at pick a part but never saw one so bit it and bought the 1 1/4".