Sway bar question for Coyled

[DaveR]

Scott,

I am getting ready to install a front sway bar in preparation for SAAC 30, and would like to replicate your setup since it seems to work for you. Are you still happy with your 1 1/4" bar or did you go back to the 1" bar? Do you have the splined type? Is your bar solid or hollow? How long is it? Wall section? How long are your arms? I notice in one of your posts that you moved the attachment point out, decreasing the effectiveness of the bar.

I was thinking about using a 1" bar, but everything I have read leads me to believe that something bigger is appropriate.

Dave

[coyled]

Dave, its not just a bigger bar but the way it is mounted. The standard 1 inch bar I had, was mounted with rubber bushings. The 1 1/4 bar I have now is mounted in an aluminum sleeve with heim joints at the control arm. The difference in rate is more than 25% maybe 100% or more. When I changed bars, I went from 500 pound rear springs to 800 pound rears to balance the car. I actually needed to add more rear rate but decided to take some bar out of the front. The bar is mounted at an arm length of 13.75 currently. The wheel rates all the way around in roll are in the 375 pound area, which is stiff. The bar is hollow and splined. It is .25 wall. The length is 34 inches and the arms can be attached at 12.5 inches to 15.5 inches, 4 different mounting points in between. I am definately useing more of the front tires now that it is stiffer. Before, my front end just rolled over and never really worked correctly. I hope this helps. Scott

[Slither]

Scott, are you running with ProAutoSports at Firebird Mother's Day weekend? I would like to watch your car run.

[DaveR]

Scott,

Huge help! Our cars may not be exactly the same, but at least I have a starting point. I calculate that I will have the same rate as you if I buy 31" bar, 12" arms, 1.25" wall.

When you say 800 lbs in the rear, are you talking about standard 2 1/2" Dia., 10" long springs? I buy from QA1, and they only go up to 600 lbs.

Do you have a rear sway bar?

[coyled]

Dave, I hope that you are calculating wheel rate and not spring rate. There can be a huge difference between your cobra and mine. Also, mine has an IRS, and I think you have a straight axle. Your rear rate would be way higher than mine with the same set of springs. I do not have a rear sway bar. I think my springs are 10 inch by 2 1/2 inch. But, the length and diameter does not matter only the rate. Wheel rates are what you need to figure out. Good luck, Scott.