Matching the Rear Sway with Front

[69-er]

The 69 Camaro I am working on has a 7/8" rear sway bar installed. I would assume that since only an 11/16" front bar was installed at the factory, I need to install a front one that is larger in diameter than that to mach the rear. Am I correct? Any ballpark figures that someone would like to throw at me as to what size I should get? This car won't be raced, at least competitively, so it's really just for looks and in case the driver needs to make an abrupt maneuver to prevent an out-of-control situation.

I saw in a Camaro catalog that they had available a 1" and 1 1/8". I really don't know if these would work together with a rear sway bar or if they are designed to work by themselves.

Specs:

Rear: Aftermarket 4-leaf, 2-3" lowered, rate unknown, QA1 Shocks, single adjustable.
Front QA1 coilovers, single adjustable, rate unknown, 2" drop spindles.

Is there anything else that would be needed to get a close estimate?

Thanks!

Larry

[lzdick]

Larry,
I recently did the reverse...needed to add a rear swaybar to an oversized front bar. I made a lot of phone calls and learned the following:

Front swaybar-11/16 to 1" requires a 3/4" rear swaybar
Front swaybar-1 1/8" up requires a 7/8" rear swaybar.

This information was from Addco, where I purchased the rear swaybar.

Good luck.

Rich

[69-er]

Sounds like I'm on the right track as I'm looking at 1 1/8" bars.

Thanks Rich.

[Hotchkis]

The 69 Camaro I am working on has a 7/8" rear sway bar installed. I would assume that since only an 11/16" front bar was installed at the factory, I need to install a front one that is larger in diameter than that to mach the rear. Am I correct? Any ballpark figures that someone would like to throw at me as to what size I should get? This car won't be raced, at least competitively, so it's really just for looks and in case the driver needs to make an abrupt maneuver to prevent an out-of-control situation.

I saw in a Camaro catalog that they had available a 1" and 1 1/8". I really don't know if these would work together with a rear sway bar or if they are designed to work by themselves.

Specs:

Rear: Aftermarket 4-leaf, 2-3" lowered, rate unknown, QA1 Shocks, single adjustable.
Front QA1 coilovers, single adjustable, rate unknown, 2" drop spindles.

Is there anything else that would be needed to get a close estimate?

Thanks!

Larry

Larry,
Since you have a smaller sway bar in the front than you do in the rear, you should definitely consider installing a larger bar, maybe a 1 1/8" (hollow) sway bar? Your current setup on a first gen Camaro is a recipe for unpleasant oversteer. On the first gen’s you always want to have the front bar diameter larger than the rear bar.

http://www.hotchkis.net/_uploaded_files/tn-67-69_gm_f-body_front_sport_sway_barproducts141promo_pic.jpg

[JKnight]

Going with the larger front bar will definitely get you headed in the right direction. Keep in mind that sway bars are a tuning device and as such, they tend to not be a one size fits all kind of deal. Something to think about for the future is, you may want to look into using an adjustable rear bar. I know that Helwig makes one, Hotchkis may as well. This adjustability will benefit you as your use of the car evolves and as you make other changes (springs, tires, front bar, lightweight body parts, etc).

I have the 1 1/8 hollow hotchkis bar and the front end is great. However, I now need a rear bar to dial out some of the understeer and will definitely be looking for something with adjustability.

[Vegas69]

I agree Jeff, adjustability is VERY important if you are looking for a feel that fits you. Once size doesn't fit all with the majore differences we all have. Weight, tire compound, tire width, driving style, etc....