Hi folks,

Right now I've got the ST swaybar combo (35/25) and am getting some revalved Bilsteins to mate with some custom coil-overs someone local to me is making. I've decided on 600# linear for the front.

I am wondering what I should choose for the rear given the 25mm swaybar.

The car is used only on the street now, but once I replace these dead factory shocks and springs, I want to take some road racing courses every year if possible.

What do you all suggest? I want linear-rated in the rear as well. Would 200# be too much/too little?

I don't mind a harsh ride as this is my "race" car, since I have a Cadilliac for those times when I want a living room on wheels. But I don't want it needlessly harsh either!

Thanks!

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Solomon
What's life all about?
Silver '95 Camaro Z28 M6: 14.3 @ 98.7 - With problems, but will improve!
White '90 Cadillac deVille: 16.3 @ 81.4 - Not likely to change soon.
Learn the basics of tuning your OBDI LT1 PCM!

 

You'll have a lot of roll stiffness with a 35mm front bar and 600#/in springs. Most people I talk to who do high speed events with 600# or so front springs like a solid 32mm front bar, with possibly a 21mm rear bar. With a 32/21 combo, I would start out at something like 175-200#/in rear springs.

If you get 200#/in rear springs, consider trying the 1LE front and rear bars. They're cheap and I think you might like them better.


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Mike Taylor
'94 Formula
Holley cold air, Borla downpipe, Walker UltraFlo catback, BMR STB, BMR PHR, Ground Control coilovers, Bilsteins, 16x9.5 Rikens, Hoosier 275/45/16 A3S03, G2 Torque Arm, Torsen T2R

 

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the input. I am happy with the ST bars and the roll stiffness I have now. My stock shocks have basically no dampening left, so anything new will be better.

I'm not set on 200# in the rear, it was just a thought. If I keep my current swaybars, what do you think would be a good combination with the 25mm in rear to go with the 35mm/600# in the front?

 

I'm running 500 lb/in front coilover springs with stock sway bars and stock rear springs for autocrossing mainly now. The road course lapping days I've been to tell me I need a little more sway bar. I'm planning on installing a solid Addco 32mm front bar this winter and a 21mm 1LE bar. My stock rear springs (114 lb/in) are great for low speed events, but for high speed events I plan on stepping up to 175 lb/in. I'll do the sway bars first though, and feel out the balance of the car.

Why not just use 500 lb/in springs in the front with your coilovers and try keeping your stock rear springs for now? Drive the car at a track and tune the car from there. I think you'll probably want to step up some from stock, such as the 150-175 lb. range, but making one change at a time is usually a good thing.



[This message has been edited by 94bird (edited July 17, 2002).]

 

Never got to thank you for your input 94bird. That's a good idea to do the front first. I planned on doing that because of budget. It makes sense too, though, thanks.

I can't say why, but I am set on 600# for the front. I guess I will just get them installed and see if I get more push or what...

 

Good luck out there on the road courses. Maybe we'll meet up this year or next. I'll be at Mid-Ohio in early October for a NASA event.

BTW, I just picked up some 175 lb/in rear springs yesterday from a friend and put them in today. Initial impressions is I like it, but I haven't pushed it to the limit at a track yet. I will this weekend. Next I'll try a 35mm/21mm bar combo within the next 1 month. The 35mm bar may be a little much, but I guess I'll find out.

 

JSK I've got the same bars as you. 600# front and I went 150 in the rear w/ 3rd gen rear shocks. Revalved bilsteins in the front on GC. Works for me. I did change the rear bar and put a 21. Flawless IMO. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Big question for ya. How do you pass inspection yearly for your car? I ask because I'm from Cincy too currently stationed overseas but my Pops will have the car for 4-5 yrs while I'm in Japan. No where near legal so I wanna get the skinny on where's a good place to go.

Thanks.

 

ZLKHELLRZR, are you roadracing yours, autocrossing or just having fun?

thanks

BobC

 

I'm doing all of the above actually. But mostly a daily driver on nice days and weekend runs on the Nurnburgring.

 

I am not into the roadracing thing much. But if you put the 25mm bar in back it will be way to much bar. Even if the balance was there (which it wont be) you would still be hurting traction with a bar that big. This is with stock springs. Add 200lb springs and it would be undriveable.
Road racing you are kind of in a middle ground. Which is why you would have to test things out. 25mm with stock springs may be OK. Or stick with a stock rear bar and heavier springs or even a 21 and heavier springs.
RR you will have to test it out but I guarantee that a 25mm bar will be to big for autox regardless of spring. Just tryin to help by giving two cents from someone who has been there. I have tested a bit of stuff. Not as much as your shops but quite a bit.
I have had Hotchkiss and Pro kit springs. 32mm and 35mm front bars,19mm and 21mm rear bars, KYB shocks, stock shocks, Bilstein shocks, Koni shocks (though never on my car) and a few other fine tuneing things.
The 35mm bar in front and stock bar in back has worked best for me. KYB and stock shocks are junk. I cant say too much on Konis as it was an FS car that was a 1le. I found it to be very very loose as I just started when I drove this. Bilsteins work great.

 

Thanks again so much for all the great input.

ZBLK, why did you change to 21mm rear bar? Too much oversteer with the 25mm & 150# springs? As far as inspection, seeing how I have a stock engine, and a bit leaner PCM tune than stock, I pass with flying colors. 0.0% CO and hardly any HC compared to the limit.

lons94z, as I mentioned, I will be doing occasional RR, but mostly street use. I have no intention to auto-X, as I prefer higher speed turns with nice scenery. But thanks a lot for the input!

As soon as I find out how much my local guy wants to do the adj. coil-over mod to revalved Bilsteins, and compare it to the price of Ground Control's kit, I'll keep researching! Thanks again!

Solomon

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JSK333:
[b]Thanks again so much for all the great input.

ZBLK, why did you change to 21mm rear bar? Too much oversteer with the 25mm & 150# springs? As far as inspection, seeing how I have a stock engine, and a bit leaner PCM tune than stock, I pass with flying colors. 0.0% CO and hardly any HC compared to the limit.

Actually it was recommended by Sam Strano. So I took his word for it. I'm gonna swap the 25 back on and see if it gets too tight. But for now it almost rides the same but a have more traction coming out of a turn now more than before.

Far as emissions wise. Are there any shady places to go for a pass? Running a 396 and you can't stand behind the car more than 5 secs before you start crying and that's w/ cats. Once I return I'll head for a dyno-tune and try and get it squared away.
Thanks for the info.

Silas