Would this be a simple bolt in installation? and what would you recommend?

 

Yes, it is just a bolt-in install. As far as what to go with, it really depends on what you want out of it.
You have options of the 1LE sway bars and there are several aftermarket ones available also that just get bigger in size.

This would probably be a better post in the autocross section. Just be sure to post exactly what you want to get out of your car and what you will be doing with it.

 

Installation of the front bar is easy(about 1 hour with the front of the car on ramps), and is probably all that you need. I would recommend the Suspension Technique solid 35mm front sway bar. It is the best mod I've made to my car yet.

If you go bigger on the rear bar, you can run into a situation where the car could tend to oversteer(kick out the rear end) when you are pushing it hard.

I recommend trying the big front bar first and see if you need the rear bar at all. I did not change my rear bar and am completely happy with the large front bar.

You can ask this in the autox section. You'll probably get the same answer.

The car is a dream to drive with the large front bar. Very little body roll and better control.

Dan

 

It is probably also going to depend on what shocks and springs you have and tires. Most of the time the sway bars are matched up to these things.

 

Good point. I was referring to a bar that would be used with stock springs. With a higher rate spring, you can get away with less sway bar because the bar doesn't need to do as much of the work.

If I had a preference though, I would rather have more bar and less spring because it helps keep the daily driving more comfortable, but still have great handling.

Your best bet is to give Sam Strano a call at www.stranoparts.com

He is an f-body suspension expert and a nice guy to talk to. He will help you out with expert advice. I'm very happy with what he recommended to me (Bilstein HD shocks with the 35mm solid front bar)

Dan

 

Are you using stock springs with your setup Dan? Just curious about your setup.

 

I will be using Bilstein HD shocks,sport coil springs which provide a 1" drop and was going to purchase a Hotchkis sway bar kit front and rear, the front is 17/16"(36-37mm) thick and the rear is 1"(25-26mm) thick and my car is a 95 Z28.

 

Yes I am. I daily drive my Z28(spring summer and fall) about 300 miles per week. I didn't want a higher rate spring that will sacrifice my ride quality too much.

I am very happy with my setup now. The ride is firm, but not abusive, and the handling is crisp. The Bilsteins made the car feel more controlled, but didn't make it rough. It just added that level of control that makes the car feel so much better on quick steering maneuvers. Then, after adding the sway bar, I couldn't believe how good the car feels. Turn in is precise, slolums are much more fun and hard corners just feel right instead of having the car lean so hard. I didn't like all the body roll I had before, and that is solved.

For only making two changes to my suspension, I'm very happy.

I also have sub frame connectors, but they didn't make as noticable of a difference as the other two mods. The SFC's were more to keep the chassis from getting worn out and rattling over time.

Hope this helps.

Dan

 

I've got the complete BMR setup (shock tower brace, subframe connectors, LCAs, panhard rod, and the front/rear anti-swaybar upgrade), and poly bushings.

I noticed the biggest difference when I upgraded the front and rear anti-sway bars, I highly recommend them.

 

My opinion is the Hotchkis sway bar kit is way overpriced. What, it's like $400 or so.

I would take Dan's advice and contact Sam Strano. He can stear you in the right direction. And will most likely save you money and headaches. Also, as Dan suggested (i'm not saying go with these, but just a comparison), the Suspension Techniques front 35mm solid sway bar runs about $140. I believe the Hotchkis bar is hollow, i could be wrong on this, but i do know their bar is slightly smaller than what they advertise it to be.

 

That rear bar may be a little big, but you can try it and see if you like it. Take some very hard corners at a decent speed in a vacant parking lot and see how it breaks loose. My guess is that your back end will swing out instead of the front pushing. That is not what I would want.

Dan

 

From what I have read:
There is nothing wrong with a hollow swaybar. The only thing a solid bar adds is weight and a very little additional rigidity.

The center portion of a swaybar is used very little in comparison to the outside edges. I want to say it is like 75% of the torsional rigidity is on the outside.

IMO

 

You are correct.

The solid bar is stiffer, but not that much. Most of the torsion resistance is towards the outer radius of the bar. You could get all of the torsion resistance of a solid bar by making it hollow and only adding a millemeter or so to the outer diameter. The ST bar adds 15 lbs more to the weight of the car up front than the stock bar. This can hurt people in the 1/4 mile due to tougher launching, but I will take the trade off anyday.

Everyone that has tried the ST bar has liked it, as far as I have read. It sounds like there are some people that think they overpayed for the Hotchkis bar.

26mm in the rear is way to big in my opinion though. I would try to stay between 19-21mm(from what I've read). 19mm is the stock size and I'm happy with it paired up with the large bar up front.

Dan