Solid vs Hollow sway bar
Solid vs Hollow sway bar I'm going to be getting a new sway bar sometime soon. I have a WS6, so the rear is already the larger size. The front is what I'm looking at. I was wondering if there is a difference between the Strano hollow front sway bar and, say, a BMR or Suspension Techniques or something that is solid. I realize that the hollow bar will be lighter, but that's not really my concern. I was just curious about what will perform better. Is the hollow bar worth the extra money? It seems to be about 50 dollars more than some of the others.
Sam, I know you are busy taking care of personal things right now, but if you happen to drop in, your input is greatly appreciated. Sorry for your loss. Thanks.
Sam, I know you are busy taking care of personal things right now, but if you happen to drop in, your input is greatly appreciated. Sorry for your loss. Thanks.
I cant even begin to tell you how much heavier that suspension techniques sway bar is over the stocker. Must be close to 30 Lbs difference. I almost cried when I found out how much weight I was putting back into my mildly gutted car. I stopped crying after the first test drive though.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Likes: 4
From: St. Clair Shores Mi.
Standard cars have a 30/19 set WS6 and SS's have a 32/19 set.
I have had them both. The ST is GREAT, but thats a lot of weight. And not exactly where you want it.
Now if Sam thought the ST was good for most things why would have he developed his own hollow one? So that should tel you for most applications which one sam will tell you to go with. The hollow is close in the same strenght, and tons of lighter(can search to find the exact weight think it is around 30 pounds)
I like both, but I think I like the hollow one better
Now if Sam thought the ST was good for most things why would have he developed his own hollow one? So that should tel you for most applications which one sam will tell you to go with. The hollow is close in the same strenght, and tons of lighter(can search to find the exact weight think it is around 30 pounds)
I like both, but I think I like the hollow one better
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My mistake! For some reason I thought the rear was the larger one on the WS6. In that case, how advantageous will it be for me to also upgrade the rear bar?
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TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: St.Charles MO
I had just the 35mm front bar on and stock rear bar, the car felt unbalanced, like the rear was just on its own back there. Rear bar made everything balanced again (if you match them i.e. 25mm rear bar is for drag racing and will only cause oversteer).
So would the BMR front sway bar be an upgrade at all for me? They advertise that their bar is 40% stiffer than the 1LE bar, but aren't they both 32mm? I'm just trying to figure what's going to be more cost effective, ya know?
I have the ST set and love them. Yes, the front bar is heavy. I've heard the 25mm rear bar will cause oversteer, but haven't experienced it yet. I don't autocross, just a play car. I've notice I hook alot better with the 25mm bar vs the factory and the cornering is night and day with the whole setup.
I have the ST set and love them. Yes, the front bar is heavy. I've heard the 25mm rear bar will cause oversteer, but haven't experienced it yet. I don't autocross, just a play car. I've notice I hook alot better with the 25mm bar vs the factory and the cornering is night and day with the whole setup.
I measured the difference between my ST bar and my Strano bar (fronts) on my crappy bathroom scale.
The Strano bar was ~11 lbs lighter than the ST bar. Seems like hollow bars are the way to go. I don't know the equation, but a solid 34mm bar would probably be pretty damn close to the same stiffness as the 35mm hollow only with a lot less weight
The Strano bar was ~11 lbs lighter than the ST bar. Seems like hollow bars are the way to go. I don't know the equation, but a solid 34mm bar would probably be pretty damn close to the same stiffness as the 35mm hollow only with a lot less weight
You can look for a 21mm rear bar from a thirdgen camaro/firebird. Do some research on thirdgen.org. I used to research the hell out of thirdgens since my first car was a 1990 Camaro RS 305TBI, so I knew they were out there. Found a guy parting out a 83 WS6 and got his rear bar for next to nothing. Junk yard are also a good choice if you don't mind crawling around on the dirt.
I cant even begin to tell you how much heavier that suspension techniques sway bar is over the stocker. Must be close to 30 Lbs difference. I almost cried when I found out how much weight I was putting back into my mildly gutted car. I stopped crying after the first test drive though.