MI-Z/28

The rear sway bar bushings on my car are shot so while I'm back there I was thinking about upgrading my sway bar. Car is a daily driver, just looking for a little better handling and reduced body roll. Any suggestions? I was looking at a front and rear kit like this http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...roducts_id=292

Worth it or no? How do you guys like the UMI bars?

therealcreeper

iTrader: (37)

great bars, well worth the price

99FormulaM6r

iTrader: (2)

The only other one I would consider is Strano's bars as they're hollow and are the same size, however they cost more. If saving 20 lbs or so is worth $70 to you then go for that, otherwise the UMI's are very good too (just heavier)

MI-Z/28

Thanks for the feedback!

UMI Sales

iTrader: (1)

Hello
Thanks for considering UMI Performance! When you install both front and rear sway bars you will notice a night and day difference in handling and response of the vehicle. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.
Thanks
Brad

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

I not only have my bars, but also sell UMI's bars as well.

It was noted that the weight difference is pretty big... Balance wise the UMI bars work very well (since I've always used 35/22 bars and we discussed them making their bars--they didn't want to step on my toes, which I appreciate). I see them as different parts not competing parts, which is why I do sell both.

I will say that there are differences other than just weight. We use different hardware, and the bars are bend differently too.

Having said that, here's what it comes down to for most: $70 to save 20 pounds is unheard of. You'd spend $100 to save 5 pounds on a set of SFC's by using CM instead of mild steel. $70 for 20 lbs. is a screaming bargain. You could compare my bars to Hotchkis (which uses a too big 25mm rear bar) which are the only other set of hollow front and rear bars for this car (and something I also sell) and you'd see they are well over $100 more expensive.

MI-Z/28

How does this affect the way the sway bar performs and the way the car reacts? I'm pretty new to this. Thanks.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Functionally there isn't a lot of difference. The hardware we use has bigger bolts and different bushings that I feel are more durable over the long run. As for the bending, one of the reasons I changed suppliers was to get more accurate bending of the bars on a CNC controlled bender. Strano front bars have a dip in them that easily clears the bracing that convertible K-members have (and that I installed on my hardtop car). Many bars, including the older versions of what I used to have made would contact those tabs under compression.

Carter Hays

I don't have either set on my car, so I can't comment on how they will work. I can say this though, I have installed solid bars (not UMI) and the strano/addco bars in the past on my friends cars and the hollow front bars were like a feather compared to the solid ones. The strano/addco bars had to be tweaked a little, but the install was no problem. He seems to have changed suppliers so that point is moot.

After a track day my friend with the solid bar devloped a "clunking" sound in front. I put the car up on the rack and one of the swaybar brackets was broken. I found Blane Fabrication and got him a set of reinforced brackets. Problem solved.

Esco99

iTrader: (2)

I see Strano's has an adjustable rear sway bar. Whats the benifit of having that adjustment? Im also a newbie so it maybe a stupid question but I dont know.


Also what are the differences between Spohn, UMI and BMR swaybars?

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

That occasional need for a tweaking is a huge reason (one of 3) I changed suppliers... My bars are made to spec for me now by Hellwig who uses a CNC bender, Addco did not. The other reasons were supply issues, and powdercoating issues. All 3 were addressed with the move.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Adjustment means the bar can act like 3 different bars, all in one. It allows you to tweak and dial in the balance of the car to what you need or like best.

The diameter of a bar determines it's stiffness (a few other things do as well, but let's keep it simple). I found that 35mm front, 22mm rear works best for handling. Spohn uses a 32/22 setup. BMR used to do the same thing, but I believe just changed course--to 35/25. Either way I feel both those bars are too stiff in the rear relative to the front sizes they use. UMI at least specs the same size I use and they know exactly why I do that--which is why I use those as my "cheaper" alternative to my bars if you just can't swing the extra $70.

Remember I carry both, and Hotchkis too.... In fact of the companies mentioned, only have I that much choice of offerings. http://www.stranoparts.com/searchbym...=126&ModelID=7

hyperzone

Newbie to the sway bar scene as well. I'm swapping alot of parts from my wrecked 96 SS to a 97 Z28. The 32mm bar on the SS seems to be bent a tiny bit and I'm looking to get a replacement vs. just downgrading to the 30mm stock Z28 bar. Would a 35mm front bar be an unwise choise for a daily driver? I do enjoy some "spirited" driving now and then but, as stated, its mainly a DD. I'm mostly trying to figure out if that 35mm bar is more for the competition guys and if I should just stick with getting a "better than stock" after market 32mm. Any info concerning what a spirited daily driver would benifit most from would be appreciated.

therealcreeper

iTrader: (37)

^^^ definitely go 35mm. they have no adverse effects apart from the added weight and possibly a slight decrease in traction off the line, which is mostly corrected with a 21 or 22mm rear bar. the benefits GREATLY outweigh the cons, go for it.

BobDoLe

iTrader: (11)

i also recommend the stiffest front swaybar.
i have a 35mm front and 22mm rear right now. i've tried different setups with 25mm rear bar and it is pretty f'ed up. thing is, the bmr, hotchkis and eibach front/rear packages all include 25mm rear for some bizarre reason (no thanks, i no longer find perilous twitch oversteer amusing, jerks). however, i wouldn't mind that 36.5mm hollow front swaybar from hotchkis which they do sell individually at a ridiculous price.

jerflash

ya that hotchkis bar is huge...they pair it with there 25mm rear bar...thats probably the only way to get the 25mm rear bar to work right

thelaws69

Don't mean to hijack this thread but I am also looking to buy a set of matching swaybars. I have a 1999 Z-28 convertible with a Moser 12 bolt. What do you suggest Sam?
Thanks

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Their front bar is 36mm (they say 36.5mm), that's still not nearly big enough to cover the use of a 25mm bar IMHO. A 25mm rear bar is a lot stiffer relative to a 22mm bar than a 36mm bar is to a 35mm bar.

jerflash

True but the 36 would probably work well with their 23.5 adjustable rear bar. I'm still tring to figure out what's bet for my setup sam. I don't do road course at all really mostly street and some track. I want the stiffist rear bar I can get without making it hard to take a tight corner on the street. Also looking an cost but that's secondary...will be taking the front bar off for the strip anyway so its wieght is a non issue

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

I sell both my own bars and Hotchkis. You can take your pick. Their rear adjustable is actually a 23.8mm technically (24mm is what it's commonly called). Their rear about the same stiffness as my adjustable rear despite the size difference because I use a little shorter lever arm than they do. And my rear adjustable is less expensive than is the Hotchkis. But again, I sell both.