Which of these 2 sway bars are better?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 842
From: West Michigan
Which of these 2 sway bars are better?
I am looking to finish up my suspension project on my '98 Z, and all thats left is the sway bar. Currently my Z has NO sway bars on it - and it was bought that way.
I am looking at 2 venders for the sway bars.
The first set is from BMR / sway bars This is what they offer:
-BMR has a cost of: $269.95
The second set is from Fast Toys.net / Suspension
This is what Fast toys has to say about theirs:
-Cost is: $309.99
The only real difference that I see between the 2 is that Fast Toys offers theres .5 inch bigger all around (32.5F and 21.5R compared to BMR at 32F and 21R), but cost around $40 dollars more.
Is it worth the money to go bigger? Or will BMR work just as well for the price? I'd like to go with BMR as they are cheaper, but don't want to spend the money, only to wish I had the others.
I want to order them today, and I have about ½ before anyone closes. Please reply.
thank you.
Milo
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'98 Camaro Z28
-MODS:
I am looking at 2 venders for the sway bars.
The first set is from BMR / sway bars This is what they offer:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">If you are looking for increased cornering capabilities with decreased body roll, BMR sway bars are the answer. These bars are 32mm front(solid) and 21mm rear(solid) to replace the factory 30mm(hollow) and 19mm sizes and add stability to the F-Body platform. Made from cold formed steel to better resist torsional fatigue and retain their "memory" far longer than conventional hot formed bars. This front bar is over 40% more rigid than the popular 1LE swaybar. All packages come with Prothane mounting bushings and endlink kits. Available standard in your color choice of red or black powdercoat, additional colors also available by special order</font>
The second set is from Fast Toys.net / Suspension
This is what Fast toys has to say about theirs:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">G2 sway bars are the single biggest suspension improvement you can make Dramatically reduces body roll and increases cornering capability! The first suspension modification anyone should make (this is the foundation of your suspension)! Eliminates body roll encountered when adding lowering springs! Camaros & Firebirds use larger & stronger 32.5MM front (stock is 30 MM) & 21.5MM rear (stock is 19 MM) sway bars reduce body roll & provide predictable handling (matched size for balanced handling)! Comes with teflon lined center bushings (Camaros & Firebirds re-use stock end links). Powder coated red. </font>
The only real difference that I see between the 2 is that Fast Toys offers theres .5 inch bigger all around (32.5F and 21.5R compared to BMR at 32F and 21R), but cost around $40 dollars more.
Is it worth the money to go bigger? Or will BMR work just as well for the price? I'd like to go with BMR as they are cheaper, but don't want to spend the money, only to wish I had the others.
I want to order them today, and I have about ½ before anyone closes. Please reply.
thank you.
Milo
------------------
'98 Camaro Z28
-MODS:
- Auto
- 4.10 Gears
- HPP +
- 180* Thermostat
- FTRA
- Whisper Lid
- K&N Filter
- MSD 8MM Wires
- NGK55 Plugs
- MAC Panhard Rod (red)
- MAC Lower Control Arms (red)
- T Byrne Sub-Frame Connectors (red)
- Eibach Lowering Springs (red)
- KYB AGX 5 Way Adj. Shocks (red)
- BMR Relocation Brackets (red)
- BMR Strut Tower Brace (red)
- ! Air conditioning
- ! Cruise Control
- ! CAT
- ! Front Steel Bumper
- '98 SS Single outlet Exhaust
- Clear Turn Signals
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 267
From: Las Vegas, NV
What i do know about the two of them is that BMR has great customer service...
But im interested in some info on some sway bars as well so if any one has any suggestions id appreciate it.
tia
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Authorized Dealer of Corbeau seats and harnesses... Email me for pricing and applications
scott@clubconceptz.com
99 WS6 Formula, M6, red
tons of mods....and more to come
Sponsored by Nitrous Express, Corbeau USA, Auto Meter,Optima Batteries,MBA Products and AutoMod of Atlanta Georgia......
my 99 ws6 formula
But im interested in some info on some sway bars as well so if any one has any suggestions id appreciate it.
tia
------------------
Authorized Dealer of Corbeau seats and harnesses... Email me for pricing and applications
scott@clubconceptz.com
99 WS6 Formula, M6, red
tons of mods....and more to come
Sponsored by Nitrous Express, Corbeau USA, Auto Meter,Optima Batteries,MBA Products and AutoMod of Atlanta Georgia......
my 99 ws6 formula
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 842
From: West Michigan
I also made a post in the lounge about the sway bars, and I got this responce:
RKsport still sells them for $325 plus shipping. The only downside is that they only come in a BLACK powdercoat.
RKsport Sway Bars for '98+ F-body
-Milo
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by silver96z28:
rk sport sells a nice solid set for $325 the front is 35mm, the rear
is 32mm. Made by suspension techniques.Dad has them on his 93 z, they make a big diffrerence, and come with all the bushing. </font>
rk sport sells a nice solid set for $325 the front is 35mm, the rear
is 32mm. Made by suspension techniques.Dad has them on his 93 z, they make a big diffrerence, and come with all the bushing. </font>
RKsport still sells them for $325 plus shipping. The only downside is that they only come in a BLACK powdercoat.
RKsport Sway Bars for '98+ F-body
-Milo
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 674
From: Sac, CA
What are putting the sway bars on for? What are you trying to accomplish? What do you do with the car?
If it is primarly street driven, the stock set up is adequate.
If you are autcrossing and/or road racing; a hardcore setup is a 35mm solid up front and 21mm 1le hollow in back - streetable, but not great for drag.
If you are primarly drag; a hardcore set up will lose the front sway bar all together and go with the BMR or Wolfe rear drag sway bar - streetable barely and you'll kill yourself road racing.
My set up which is a compromise is a 25mm solid Addco ($140) in the rear, with stock springs and KYB AGX 8 ways. In the front will be a 1le 32mm (~$80) with HAL 12 way shocks and stock springs. The back is already installed and the front is pending the purchase of the HAL shocks.
In all reality, if all your doing is an occasional trip to the track and not really road racing or tearing up the country roads a lot; I would just suggest getting the 1le set up from SLP or your local Chevy dealer. The dealer will probably be cheaper, since SLP includes the 1le end links and you may want to go with poly end links.
The whole set up should be less than $200 - probably closer to $150. From your sig, appearance seems to be important. Probably wouldn't cost more than $100 to powder coat them any color you want.
Good Luck
------------------
'01 Mystic Teal Z28
A4/3.23/Leather/T-Tops
Mods List Here
12.46/108.87/1.75 60'
319 rwhp/349 rwtq
www.MysticZ28.com
NorCal LS1/LT1
"To play it safe is not to play"
If it is primarly street driven, the stock set up is adequate.
If you are autcrossing and/or road racing; a hardcore setup is a 35mm solid up front and 21mm 1le hollow in back - streetable, but not great for drag.
If you are primarly drag; a hardcore set up will lose the front sway bar all together and go with the BMR or Wolfe rear drag sway bar - streetable barely and you'll kill yourself road racing.
My set up which is a compromise is a 25mm solid Addco ($140) in the rear, with stock springs and KYB AGX 8 ways. In the front will be a 1le 32mm (~$80) with HAL 12 way shocks and stock springs. The back is already installed and the front is pending the purchase of the HAL shocks.
In all reality, if all your doing is an occasional trip to the track and not really road racing or tearing up the country roads a lot; I would just suggest getting the 1le set up from SLP or your local Chevy dealer. The dealer will probably be cheaper, since SLP includes the 1le end links and you may want to go with poly end links.
The whole set up should be less than $200 - probably closer to $150. From your sig, appearance seems to be important. Probably wouldn't cost more than $100 to powder coat them any color you want.
Good Luck
------------------
'01 Mystic Teal Z28
A4/3.23/Leather/T-Tops
Mods List Here
12.46/108.87/1.75 60'
319 rwhp/349 rwtq
www.MysticZ28.com
NorCal LS1/LT1
"To play it safe is not to play"
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 842
From: West Michigan
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by V6toZ28:
What are putting the sway bars on for? What are you trying to accomplish? What do you do with the car?</font>
What are putting the sway bars on for? What are you trying to accomplish? What do you do with the car?</font>
-I am trying to get my car to handle. When I got the car, it was from a repo dealer, and there were a lot of unknows with the car. One of the BIG unknows that I later found out was the the ENTIRE suspension was shot. The springs didn't have the same height through out all 4 corners, the shocks were gone, and I had NO sway bars.
I am pretty much putting the car back together....but with only better items then stock. I don't plan to road race, but I would like to be able to take some turns and have the car hug the road.
I just plan on running the car at the strip now and then. I want red because that is what everything else is, and I like the feel of it....just a personal taste.
I will take your suggestions into mind when buying the sway bars. Thank you.
The over all goal for the car...if thats what you want to call it, is to be able to hugs corners, and go fast in a straight line without much movement side to side from the rear end. I want the car to be a good all around performer.
Milo
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4
You have to consider all of your suspension components as a unit, since they are all working together. Do you plan to lower the car? If so, how much? Tighter springs means you need tighter shocks. Anti-sway bars won't change your 1/4 mile times at all. Only your cornering will be affected. I have the 1LE bars and like them a lot. The car corners rather flat, and the ride is not too stiff. Pretty stiff though, especially when one side of the car goes over a bump without the other. But not too stiff. I like to carve up the canyons where I live. I go through tires quick, usually not by burning rubber either. If I had my wish, I'd like the bars to be slightly stiffer than the 1LE bars, but not 40% stiffer. That ride would be too harsh and would suck. Also would create squeaks and rattles sooner.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that you should select a goal for yourself and take steps to obtain that goal. If you want max-G, get the biggest bars out there, lower the car 2" and get adjustable shocks and set them to the rock-hard setting. If you don't want that stiff of a ride, then all the components should be backed-off somewhat to your liking, but they all should be changed in unison, or you will upset the balance.
Tires play an important role too - equally of not more so than the suspension. Curious - what type of tires are you running, and what sizes? I've got BFG KDW's and they grip quite well, but are heavy.
------------------
2001 Pewter SLP SS #2509
3.42 M6 w/Hurst Shifter
T-Top, ZR1 Wheels, 12-CD
SLP Bilstein Ultra-susp.
SLP Dual/Dual Exhaust & Lid
SLP Grille, Mats & Cover
!CAGS (finally!)
My Car
I guess what I'm trying to say is that you should select a goal for yourself and take steps to obtain that goal. If you want max-G, get the biggest bars out there, lower the car 2" and get adjustable shocks and set them to the rock-hard setting. If you don't want that stiff of a ride, then all the components should be backed-off somewhat to your liking, but they all should be changed in unison, or you will upset the balance.
Tires play an important role too - equally of not more so than the suspension. Curious - what type of tires are you running, and what sizes? I've got BFG KDW's and they grip quite well, but are heavy.
------------------
2001 Pewter SLP SS #2509
3.42 M6 w/Hurst Shifter
T-Top, ZR1 Wheels, 12-CD
SLP Bilstein Ultra-susp.
SLP Dual/Dual Exhaust & Lid
SLP Grille, Mats & Cover
!CAGS (finally!)
My Car
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 674
From: Sac, CA
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Anti-sway bars won't change your 1/4 mile times at all.</font>
How you set up your sway bars will impact the effectiveness and consistancy of your traction. That does impact how quick you get off the line and that does effect the times.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 842
From: West Michigan
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Data's 2001 SS:
You have to consider all of your suspension components as a unit, since they are all working together. Do you plan to lower the car? If so, how much? Tighter springs means you need tighter shocks. Anti-sway bars won't change your 1/4 mile times at all. Only your cornering will be affected.
Tires play an important role too - equally of not more so than the suspension. Curious - what type of tires are you running, and what sizes? I've got BFG KDW's and they grip quite well, but are heavy.
</font>
You have to consider all of your suspension components as a unit, since they are all working together. Do you plan to lower the car? If so, how much? Tighter springs means you need tighter shocks. Anti-sway bars won't change your 1/4 mile times at all. Only your cornering will be affected.
Tires play an important role too - equally of not more so than the suspension. Curious - what type of tires are you running, and what sizes? I've got BFG KDW's and they grip quite well, but are heavy.
</font>
As for rims and tires, I just have the stock 16" rims on. I will be getting a set of Vette take off rims from a '97 Vette. They will be 17.5" x 9" up front and 18.5" x 9" in the rear. (I believe that is the size of them.) As for tires, I'd like to run some street slicks in the rear. Something to help me grip...but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
As for now, I have no sway bars on the car, and just looking to help the car hook up and not get loose when I get on the car.
Milo
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