UGOTWS6D

Thinking about getting a set of sway bars and after searching, these 2 sets seem to be pretty popular. Is there much difference between the bars other than weight?? Any advantages of running solid bars vs. hollow bars in strength, etc. (I realize the WS6 factory front bar is hollow). I like the red in UMI but at the end of the day, I'd rather have the best of the best.

Also, I saw where UMI has a heavy duty aluminum sway bar mount kit. Is that something that I would need if I bought a set of bars or does everything you need come with the sway bar kit when you buy them?? Just not sure as to the purpose/advantages of the UMI mount kit. Thanks!!

UGOTWS6D

well hopefully a sponsor will at least chime in

BoricuaHec01

I heard a lot of people choose Strano over UMI's, think ima go with Strano's if I get sway bars.

Camaroking1996

Not really much difference but the Starnos are hollow and the UMIs are solid

BoricuaHec01

Are hollows better?

UGOTWS6D

thats what im wondering. any ideas on the umi sway bar mounting kit if those are needed or not?

Camaroking1996

Email or call Sam Strano and he will give you every and any detail about the sway bars

JD_AMG

They are lighter (by quite a bit if I remember right), thats all. If you want to save some weight over the solid then go for hollow.

StuntmanMike

iTrader: (2)

I was just reading about this. The Stranos will save you 20lbs as compared to the solid UMI's. They're the same size. 35/22, which is Strano's preference.

Also, I wouldn't worry about the ability of the hollow Strano bars, the guy runs them on his own car that he competes with, that says it all as far as I'm concerned.

If you're into weight savings, there's now other way you can save 20 lbs for only 70 bucks (IIRC Strano bars are 370, vs. UMI's at around 300).

And a can of red spray paint will take care of the Strano's too.

I don't get the obsession with red suspension parts though. I've seen the same thing in other threads, people going with one over the other because of color.

I LIKE the black bars, I don't need to see red standing out under the car. And I don't have the need for everyone to know I have aftermarket suspension parts.

I'm thinking about making this purchase too, and I'm leaning toward the UMI's (in black) because I'm on a tight budget and don't really care too much about weight savings....even though I know I prob SHOULD go Strano.

UGOTWS6D

I don't race the car or anything so I really don't care too much about weight, but I was just wondering if weight only is the main difference or if the bars are bent differently between the UMI and Strano's.
I was reading a thread where quite a few people were complaining about the bolts not being long enough to start the nut on the UMI sway bars. That and the Strano's being lighter which might make them easier to put on has me leaning that way. Can you spray paint over powdercoat??? Only reason I was liking red is b/c my car is red and thought it would blend in nicely.

darknessxyz

iTrader: (22)

Both front and rear bar weight 20lb less or each bar ?

cemlsx

both equal to 20 if im not mistaken , i believe it was a 12lbs difference with the front bar.. but dont take my word on it ..

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

First let's get a few things on the record here.

Stock front bars from GM are hollow, rears are solid. Mine are both hollow. UMI's are both solid. My set vs. a UMI set is a good 20 pounds less, and we use very different hardware as well. They use what they use, I use what I prefer. This is where I add I sell UMI's bars as well as my own.

Back to the issue at hand. My front bar is heavier than stock, being that both are hollow and 35mm tube is bigger than 30 or 32mm tube (stock). But the difference is held down to less than 5 pounds more where a solid bar adds a good 15 or more depending on the stock size bar. My rear bar is 22mm hollow, stock is 19mm solid, I save about 5 pounds back on the rear (which is also unsprung weight we're cutting which is doubly good). All in all my bar set is pretty close to a stock set. View it how you wish, I "save" weight, or "minimize the weight gain". Bottom line is it's a small price difference to save a lot of weight vs. solid bars. Guys spend $100 or more on Chrome-Moly over mild steel to have 5 pounds!

z_speedfreak

iTrader: (3)

umi rocks, but sam is an accomplished road racer who develops allot of his own products based on all of his knowledge and experience If I could I'd buy sam's springs, sway bars and watts link and UMI's relocated T/A, roto LCA's w/ relo's, 3pt sfc's & STB and a set of Koni's to finish it off. one day

cnd99hawk

iTrader: (2)

I can`t speak for UMI sway bars in particular but UMI makes excellent products! However my Strano sways are amazing. Car feels much more planted and turns on a dime. I`ve only had them on for less than a week but they`re awesome!

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

I sell the entire line of UMI products, including their bars.

You'll notice the size of bars diameter wise is the same as mine, I just have no interest in making solid ones anymore because of the weight. Unlike many in this world, Ryan did the right thing and discussed it with me and asked if I'd be upset if he took over solid bars in the sizing I came up with. Because I deal with UMI (and they with me) and they've never done anything shady, I said sure.... after all, that still gives me the little bit less costly option for more weight too.

coolformula

iTrader: (21)

I would go with with the hollows mainly cause "sam said so" In all serious over the 10 years or so I have owned Fbodies he has been a member of different boards and given great FREE advice, won many races and has a system that works.

My old car I had the 35MM ST bar, awesome but man weighed a ton. From a business view looks like UMI and Sam agreed to fill a gap "needed" makes sense and gives people options.

I like my strano bars adn their great and would get them, their provent and unsprung weight is bad juju.

UGOTWS6D

Both seem like great products and it seems like you can't go wrong with either unless you want to save weight. Why is unsprung weight so bad, I'm not following that? I mean it's only about a 5 pound difference or so from stock with the Stranos. I mean 5 pounds does not seem like that big of a deal?

z_speedfreak

iTrader: (3)

I'd have to dust off my handling/phsyics/suspension book to really get into detail but basically lower unsprung rate will translate into less linear momentum in the y-plane, and will allow your suspension to respond much quicker. make sense? if not try google maybe?

UGOTWS6D

Yeah...I guess when everything is all bolted together it makes sense that less weight would help in faster suspension response.