Sway bar? why 36mm not 34 or 32?

[87we410877]

Im getting an f-body sway bar but was wondering why the desireable one is the 36mm as opposed to the 34mm one? Wouldnt the whole point be to lighten the front end up while maintaining structual integrity where in that case the 34mm would be lighter and take off more weight than the 36mm?

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

The 36mm sway bars are hollow and very light.

 

[87we410877]

So are the 32 and 34's? So why the desireable 36?

 

[DavzGN]

It's bigger so it resists roll more. The center of the bar does very little to the torsional strength of the bar so removing the weight in the center saves a lot of weight with minimal roll increase.

It's the same reason they put bigger bars in the rear.

HTH
David

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

So are the 32 and 34's? So why the desireable 36?

Not all 34's are hollow (the majority being solid), and I've never known of a hollow 32 mm bar. That is at least from GM.

 

[turbofish38]

The 36mm hollow bar has the same rate as the 34mm solid bar. The major reason we use them is that the 36 is lighter than the other bars. GM used them because they were easier and cheaper to make than the solid bars.

I've never seen a 34mm hollow bar either. I think most people dont measure them correctly. If you measure the 36 bar in the middle(centerline of the car) it's 36mm and tapers off to 34 in the bends.

 

[gyrhead]

32mm Hollow

Yes, there is a 32mm hollow from GM, and it was used on 4th generation 1LE Camaro and WS6 Firebird. We bought about 1,000 of these surplus bars out of St Therese when GM killed the F-body program. Good seller!

They however don't fit the A, G body - only the 3rd generation F body bars fit our cars, and the big dog there is that 36mm girder....

http://www.gyrhead.com/images/1LEsway.jpg

 

[87we410877]

Thanks everyone. So now im on the quest to find this damn thing.

 

[Hot Air]

I have a news, unused 36mm GM hollow bar for a 1LE Camaro for sale...$100 plus shipping.
Conrad

 

[T Spool]

The 36mm hollow bar has the same rate as the 34mm solid bar. The major reason we use them is that the 36 is lighter than the other bars. GM used them because they were easier and cheaper to make than the solid bars.

I've never seen a 34mm hollow bar either. I think most people dont measure them correctly. If you measure the 36 bar in the middle(centerline of the car) it's 36mm and tapers off to 34 in the bends.

For the first time ever Eric, I will have to disagree with you. I recondition and sell a bunch of the 34mm hollow and 36mm hollow F-body bars. They both exist. The 34mm are a little easier to find and personally, I cannot tell the difference between those and the 36mm on my car as far as handling. I choose and recommend the 34mm bars because they are a little lighter. Most people want the 36mm because bigger is better you know

 

[T Spool]

Thanks everyone. So now im on the quest to find this damn thing.

Dude, I have 3 34mm hollow bars and 1 36mm hollow bar fully reconditioned (sandblasted, painted PPG epoxy satin black) and ready to go. I can also supply the correct poly bushings and end links too! I have sold about 30 of these things - let me know......

 

[87we410877]

Will the 34mm fit the regal? How much you looking to get for each? Thanks.

 

[T Spool]

Will the 34mm fit the regal? How much you looking to get for each? Thanks.

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/parts-sale/230438-34mm-36mm-hollow-front-sway-bars.html

Yes, they fit Regals. I only sell them to G body owners.

 

[tb3]

I've got the 34 mm hollow bars on all 3 of my tb's. and they all came from t spool. I highly recomend him. They come looking brand new, and are very fair priced.

 

[salvageV6]

I just ordered one of the 34's. :smile:

Gonna try it on the GN.

 

[turbofish38]

You do relize that the 34 hollow has the same rate as the 32 solid. The only advantage would be lighter sprung weight. Which leads us back to the debate of how much is gained with the loss of 6-8 pounds. It aint like you picked up a tenth in the quarter. And nothing is picked up, handling wise if the rate is the same. You could accomplish the same thing by keeping the radiator overflow reservior and windshield washer jug empty. Thats about a gallon worth of liquid there assuming one gallon weighs 6 pounds or so. Sorry to be a nay-sayer on the upgrade but these things usually only work when you go all out. Like taking 100 pounds off the front end or something like that.

 

[T Spool]

You do relize that the 34 hollow has the same rate as the 32 solid. The only advantage would be lighter sprung weight. Which leads us back to the debate of how much is gained with the loss of 6-8 pounds. It aint like you picked up a tenth in the quarter. And nothing is picked up, handling wise if the rate is the same. You could accomplish the same thing by keeping the radiator overflow reservior and windshield washer jug empty. Thats about a gallon worth of liquid there assuming one gallon weighs 6 pounds or so. Sorry to be a nay-sayer on the upgrade but these things usually only work when you go all out. Like taking 100 pounds off the front end or something like that.

Nobody is claiming that these hollow bars will drop a tenth in the 1/4. It is simply one of many options to shed some weight on the car - 8 pounds here, 10 pounds there all adds up. A 34mm hollow bar, mini starter, aluminum f-body radiator, AC delete, Weld draglites, no jack or spare is how I roll. There's no safer or easier way of going faster than shedding weight. I have run the 34mm and 36mm bars and can't tell the difference between the two. When I switched from the stock one to the 34mm, I definitely felt a difference in handling. Part of it may have been the fact that I also went from stock rubber bushings and end links to poly ones. I knew I lost 10 pounds right where it counts and had a much better handling car so I was sold :biggrin:

I thought you just said you had never seen a 34mm hollow bar? How do you know the spring rate of one if they don't exist? Not trying to be smart, just wondering?

 

[UNGN]

I think the weight loss would be closed to 12 -13 pounds off the front of the car, which is not bad for $100.

I have a 36mm bar on my 2+2 (that I bought new for $66), but am thinking of going to a 34mm to reduce some of the understeer I got when I switched from a solid 32mm to the 36mm hollow.

 

[87we410877]

You do relize that the 34 hollow has the same rate as the 32 solid. The only advantage would be lighter sprung weight. Which leads us back to the debate of how much is gained with the loss of 6-8 pounds. It aint like you picked up a tenth in the quarter. And nothing is picked up, handling wise if the rate is the same. You could accomplish the same thing by keeping the radiator overflow reservior and windshield washer jug empty. Thats about a gallon worth of liquid there assuming one gallon weighs 6 pounds or so. Sorry to be a nay-sayer on the upgrade but these things usually only work when you go all out. Like taking 100 pounds off the front end or something like that.

Its not like you have one item that says "100lb" remove me to go fast. It adds up and when your looking for that little bit extra, its not a bad idea. I wanted to remove the thing all together but comprimising safety really isn't worth it. I already have my reservior empty and my wiper motor, tank, and wipers removed.

 

[salvageV6]

You'd have to be a moron to drain your overflow bottle on a driver.

Let alone the washer bottle.

Maybe I will weigh them both for some "accurate" info.