F-Body Europe

I think about upgrading/changing my stock sway bars and have come to the following 2 reasonable possibilities:

1) front: BMR 32mm, rear: BMR 21mm

or

2) front: Suspension Techniques 35mm, rear: 1LE 21mm

I would prefer (2) as the large front bar would even better help turning compared to the BMR front bar (althought that is also superior to my stock 30mm hollow bar). Additionally, some people say the BMR solution tends to oversteer a bit much.

However, I've read that with a front bar so thick the "thing" (don't know the name) where the bars resp. endlinks are mounted can break over the time. I don't know if this is a problem with normal street tires though.

What do you think?

Ben

I asked a similar "handling" question elsewhere and this was the reply. Maybe this can help...

You don't need to change the springs at all if you don't want to. What I'd recommend is either the Koni front/Bilstein rear combo, or Koni's all around. Either of these will DRAMATICALLY make the car more stable. Using Koni fronts also allows up to a 3/4" drop in height, which helps but doesn't make the car scrape the ground. And you can do it with the stock springs. This makes for a good ride and traction on bumpy surfaces too. Then I'd also install the 35mm front swaybar to reduce body roll without added spring rate that hurts the ride. At that point the car would be setup just like my autocross car (which I won a National Championship in btw, <G>).
Bilstein HD are $329 a set.
If we revalve the front Bilsteins the package is $480.
Some drivers who autocross and drag prefer the Koni front and Bilstein rear.
That package is $600.
Then you have Koni Single Adjustable Sports for $730.
We have sold a good many sets of Konis to Camaro owners who are stationed
overseas and who have the opportunity to run the Autobahn.
If dollars aren't a constraint, then the Konis would be the shock of choice
in your situation.
The revalved Bilsteins are a great option and a good savings in dollars. If
you're interested in the Bilsteins, you need to discuss your options and
driving style with Sam.
Sam

Sam Strano Jr.
Strano Performance Parts
http://www.stranoparts.com
800-729-1831 orders/price info.
814-849-3450 technical info.

I once posted that the rear BMR bar causes too much oversteer but with the BMR control arms and panhard bar, the problem vanished, suggesting the sway bar was too good for the crap they fit as stock. Now there is no problem but you have to do the control arms.

I'd go with the 35mm front and 21mm rear from Strano. that's what I'm getting come first of the year when I actually have money again...lol I asked about a larger rear sway bar causing push on LS1.com, and athe responses I got were all the same... yes, it would and to not go over 21mm. My friend has the 35mm/21mm on his Z and loves it to death, so I think I'm gonna be a copycat and do what he did.

Ben Ultimately , It will be up to u on what u want. Iam an advocate for big bars. But first things first . Check with Colleurs for Koni DA's for the front, or even the SA's will work you definitely need more dampening. A set of the 1le or SS springs to go with them would be a great help plus fools the Tuev. Koni DA'a also came stock on 1le's .
But for u and the type of driving u do or want to do the 32MM solid and a 21 mm for the rear will do wonders for u . Its best not too over bar the front or u wil have an inherent push on turn at the speeds that u do. Let me know what u want to do , I 'll help wher I can . Plus don't throw your old stufff away . It is good tuning pieces.

Which 1LEs came with DAs Roy? If that's true, no wonder that suspension is so sought after!

Roy:
I went with 35/21 (Suspension Techniques and 1LE) two months ago and it feels just great. They help keep the car so "flat" now in corners... Now I've got to do the shocks at the beginning of next year.

Ben

Jack All 1le camaros came with DA's on them except for the 96 model year and they came with revised rated DeCarbons.

Congrats BVen < I didn.t know. That 35 was one heavy bar wasn't it.

Jack All 1le camaros came with DA's on them except for the 96 model year and they came with revised rated DeCarbons.

Congrats Ben < I didn.t know. That 35 was one heavy bar wasn't it.

I switched my rear bar last month. 25mm to a 21 and it's definetly more softer now. Took alot to kick the rear out before now it's alot easier to do but I can actually tell when it's going to give vs just pushing it and pushing until it breaks loose w/out warning.

I still like my 25 bar though esp w/ the LCA's on the factory setting ...........wicked in high speed turns.

One of these days I will upgrade my puny 19mm rear sway bar. I have the 1LE 32 front, and the difference was almost as obvious as when I put on the stb..

Roy:
Oh yes, the 35mm was one VERY heavy bar. Feels like three times the weight of the stock 30mm.

Ben