stereomandan 12-29-2003, 09:06 PM Even with the damp roads tonight I could tell a huge improvement with the 35mm front sway bar. Thanks Sam Strano for recommending it.
Things that I noticed.
The car always was a little pointy before. With very little steering input there would be almost no response, and then all of a sudden you would hit a point and it would really want to turn. Now, it is much more gradual. The progression of the steering follows the steering wheel perfectly. I noticed this a lot when doing slalom like maneuvers. Much more predictable and comfortable.
The contact with the road was more apparent. All the little irregularities and little dips in the road surface were obvious, but the ride was not any more harsh. Actually, it felt the opposite. It felt very controlled, like I was driving a much better handling car.
I can't wait for dry roads to really try this thing out.
Dan
bruecksteve 12-29-2003, 09:34 PM Man!!! you must have been REALLY good for Christmas!!!!!
Glad you like the bar, just wait until it's dry!!!!
stereomandan 12-29-2003, 10:09 PM Actually, the sway bar I had before Christmas, but wasn't able to put it on until now.
Yeah, I can't wait to get to get the MAC headers on.
Dan
kgkern01 12-29-2003, 10:49 PM I ordered mine on 12/19, hopefully mine will be in tomorrow. I will be installing rag-joint eliminator and resetting the preload on the steering rack (http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#rack_preload) all at the same time, so I'm hoping for a good improvement in steering response.
W3dgy 12-30-2003, 12:19 AM just got my front and rear st bars in a few weeks ago. and i know what you mean... wow. best mod so far, but then again i do have some new toys on order :D
stereomandan 12-31-2003, 03:26 PM Had it out on the dry roads today. Dang, this thing bar is great. I love the feeling of less sway, and more parallel movement to the road. I even notice it without steering input on the uneven road surfaces. Very nice.
It's cold though (32 deg), so my tires don't handle like in the summer. I did get a little push but that's due to the cold tires and road.
Just for a note, the 35mm ST bar weighs 26 lbs and the stock one weighs 11 lbs. I wanted to see how much weight I was adding to my front end.
Dan
bruecksteve 12-31-2003, 03:33 PM But the best 15lbs you'll ever add to your car!!!
stereomandan 12-31-2003, 04:28 PM Originally posted by bruecksteve
But the best 15lbs you'll ever add to your car!!!
I agree 100%
If there is something else that adds that much handling performance, but weighs 15 lbs extra, I'd buy it in a minute.
Oh yeah. Thanks Steve for recommending the ST 35mm bar.
Dan
kgkern01 12-31-2003, 05:21 PM How long did it take you to get your 35mm bar in? Just wondering because I was told mine would be shipped out on 12/19 and still have yet to have received it. Figured it would be in my now? :confused:
Soma07 12-31-2003, 06:24 PM Originally posted by kgkern01
How long did it take you to get your 35mm bar in? Just wondering because I was told mine would be shipped out on 12/19 and still have yet to have received it. Figured it would be in my now? :confused:
I ordered mine beginning of this month and it won't be here till Friday. I guess ST ran out plus with the holiday rush and all shipping is taking longer than usual.
Jabberwocky 12-31-2003, 08:59 PM You know, i felt the same way after I got mine one. I swear, chevy should just have this on the car stock. I think the stock bar is more liketwenty somthing pound and the st 35 bar like 30 something pound. I haven't weigh it yet but the stock bar is definitely heavier than 11 lbs, just by feel alone.
A small lightweight hawk battery is 13 lbs compared to the 40 lb stock battery if you care about weight. It's nearly 30 lbs off the tip of the nose. It cost less than 100 bucks and is a good idea if your stock battery takes a dump. I'm having a hell of a time straping this thing down so it passes tech though. Probably gonna make some home depot battery holders.
stereomandan 01-01-2004, 12:39 PM Originally posted by Jabberwocky
You know, i felt the same way after I got mine one. I swear, chevy should just have this on the car stock. I think the stock bar is more liketwenty somthing pound and the st 35 bar like 30 something pound. I haven't weigh it yet but the stock bar is definitely heavier than 11 lbs, just by feel alone.
A small lightweight hawk battery is 13 lbs compared to the 40 lb stock battery if you care about weight. It's nearly 30 lbs off the tip of the nose. It cost less than 100 bucks and is a good idea if your stock battery takes a dump. I'm having a hell of a time straping this thing down so it passes tech though. Probably gonna make some home depot battery holders.
The stock bar is 11 lbs. The ST bar is 27 lbs. I just weighed them a couple of days ago. I could weigh it again if you would like.
I agree that GM should have put them on the car, stock.
Dan
stereomandan 01-01-2004, 01:01 PM Mine took 8 - 9 weeks to arrive.
Dan
ronin013 01-01-2004, 01:34 PM yeah i got mine during the summer it was great. little gradual turns i didnt really notice it, but sharp turns or turns at speed or swerving feels GREAT. once in a while ill still be shocked, like when i make a last minute swerve for an animal or something at cruising speed snap the wheel one way and the other i literally say out loud something like "holy ****" the car responds so fast and precise now. i didnt even notice this much a change from my panhard rod and SFCs.
Jabberwocky 01-01-2004, 06:02 PM Wow, if you weighed it than that's gotta be right, but i could have sworn that mine's was heavier. Maybe i need to go to the gym =)
94bird 01-02-2004, 02:10 AM My stock 30mm front bar was 9 lbs. and the 1LE 32mm hollow was 10 lbs. In the same ballpark as the weights you're quoting.
You guys ever consider a 35mm hollow front bar??
Hotchkiss still sells them I think, and they are listed at Thunder Racing ... http://www.thunderracing.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=subcategory&subcategoryid=1069#T1384
FWIW, I went with the hollow SLP 35mm front bar, but it is no longer listed. It was significantly lighter than the 32mm 1LE bar that it replaced.
Hope this helps
LWM
bruecksteve 01-03-2004, 11:02 PM Hollow would be nice but not for $450 !!! Plus, the rear bar is too large for most all applications. I'll take the extra 15lbs for $148 from stranoparts.com for the 35mm solid bar.
94bird 01-03-2004, 11:02 PM The Hotchkiss bar is bigger than 35mm and is only sold with their rather large rear bar. For most people this isn't a good combination and it's not cheap. I know one person who is going to try it for a track day car, but I'm waiting to see how he does before considering it. Basically, I'm hoping Sam comes up with a good hollow 35-36mm bar that is sold by itself soon. I'd rather go with an adjustable rear bar and keep my 21mm as a starting point.
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