Sway Bar questions

[mattpatt]

I have SPF3033 which has the stock 21 mm front/24 mm rear sway bars. I'm using 18" wheels (255/35 front, 275/40 rear tires). The springs/shocks are stock. The engine is an alumiionum 351W block so the front is a bit light. Driving is exclusiveley (for now anyway) on the street.

I'm considering the R/T sway bar kit (improved handling - more predictble, safer, etc.). I'd like to leave the springs/shocks as-is for now.

Questions:

- Does the switch to the R/Ts (24 mm front, 22 mm rear) really make a noticeable handling improvement? Including helping prevent spin-out?

- How is the ride affected?

- What about maintenance on the heim joints - do they new routine lube service (doesn't look like there are grease fittings).

Thanks, guys.

Matt

[STL Mark]

The sway bar upgrade is excellent. The handling is much improved. The various settings available make tracking the car an awesome experience. I suggest the RT shock/spring package as well. You won't regret it.

The spin out situation - sounds like a right foot problem to me. Can't help you there. I have the same problem.

[vatdevil]

Exclusively street and spinouts? Yes, changing to a larger front and smaller rear sway bar will change the cars balance. Less oversteer.....everything else staying the same (wheel size, tire pressures, spring rate, shock settings, ride height, alignment).

[DanMartin]

+1 on Mark's statement above. I have the RT sway bars (and shocks) and they made huge difference. The adjustability is nice as well. You rough in the handling with the size of the bar, and fine-tune it with the various adjustments once installed.

The Sway Bars are an afternoon swap...doing the shocks (and I would highly recommend the rear upper shock mount upgrade) would be maybe 2 or 3 more beers to complete and get dialed in. An easy day project with a big payoff. Perfect for a winter project.

Very happy with the RT stuff (and with RT himself, as he has been great with customer support).

[WildBill1965]

Do the corner balence thing will also help out with the going straight! I have all the a fore mentioned up grades, works great and then did the corner balence car goes straight with smoking tires! LOL

B i l l

[jhv48]

Do the whole sway bar adjustable shock and spring upgrade. You won't be disappointed.
.I Upgraded to the 450 lb springs. Just right for the street.

[BMF]

I straight away upgraded #2413 with the rear shock mounts and swapped out for the "geometry correction" ball joints; mounts give peace of mind, and noticeable positive improvement from the ball joints ( bumpsteer drastically reduced, cornering and high speed stability feels more solid/predictable ). Spirited street driving only so far...highly recommended.
I'm expecting the Cobravalley sway bars any day now and I'm told by my trusted SPF mechanic that they make a marked improvement as advertised.

[mattpatt]

Well, I installed the R/T bars and coil over shocks (already had the ball joints). Installation was straightforward. I haven't had a chance to push the car hard on the street but the few miles I have on the new suspension indicate it's surer around the bends. I had 400 # springs originally (stock SPF) but went with the 350s recommended by Randall (no more than spirited street driving). With the shocks set at the second level firmness (per the R/T charts) the stiffness of the ride is pretty close to what I originally had. Just knowing the car will have less over-steer is worth it.

Matt