Whats a good sway bar?

[rapter34]

im looking to upgrade my sway bar and have a few questions. Is it bigger is better? and is there an issue with them since I have a moser 9".

Thanks

[rapter34]

[Eugenio_SS]

bigger is not necessarily better.
The same way as saying the bigger the spring rate, the better.
In a very simplistic way of seeing things, Swaybars act as springs when cornering.
So by making your front swaybar bigger, you're doing the equivalent of increasing the spring rate in the front when cornering... and the same for the rear.

Now, a car suspension is about balance when it comes to swaybars/spring rates.
Let's assume the car is neutral, not oversteering, nor understeering.
Adding more front swaybar will increase the front rate, bringing more grip to the back... making the car understeer. If you increase the rear one, then the car will oversteer instead of being balanced.

A common mistake is to think that bigger is better, and ppl end up putting something like a 25mm in the rear... that will make the car rear end tend to fishtail so easy it ain't funny... unless the car you have major understeer in the first place.
Note that drag racers tend to use huge rear bars and even remove the front one... will help in the weight transfer, but remember that drag racing ain't about cornering whatsoever.

[Eugenio_SS]

so my question is: "What is it that you want to improve in your car ?"
Maybe swaybars ain't the answer... maybe it is.
Also, which were you thinking on upgrading, front, rear, both ? and which sizes were you thinking ?
Last but not least, what is your present setup... ie springs, shocks, swaybars.

[rapter34]

could you give a recomendation? I have taken in to the track and want the car to hook good but also want something that will take corners. something middle of the road. present set up is stock springs and shocks. just got LCA arms with relocation brackets on teh way and SFC. just trying to stiffen the car up feels too loose to me when im going through corners. If you think something other than sway bars let me now.

Thanks for the help.

[Eugenio_SS]

when you say track, do you mean 1/4 mile or a real race-track ?
1 thing to check, since you've put LCA relocation... make sure the LCA are as close to parallel to the ground as possible... that will help for cornering.
Also, I just hope the LCA aren't polyurethane, because if it is, you just shot yourself on the foor for cornering... those will bind, and by doing so will have a similar effect of increasintg the spring rate, making your rear end lose traction earlier than it would.

If anything, I'd recommend you get better shocks... will increase traction in all circumstances... and leave swaybars as is for now.

[rapter34]

I got the UMI single ajustable.and while we are on the topic what are some good shocks?

[Eugenio_SS]

You should be fine w/ the LCA, since where they bind, you have rod-ends, due to the single-adj version of UMI.

good shocks, depends on your budget...
Koni SA are really worth the $ but aren't the cheapest in the block..
http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...D=20&ModelID=7
Koni DA are amazing, but overkill... unless you are a race maniac... and even then,... maybe DAs in front and SA in ther rear.
Apart from that, if you are thinking on staying w/ stock springs, there is always Tokico that is a cheaper alternative.
http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...D=20&ModelID=7

So the question is are you thinking on staying w/ stock springs or not ?
Note that the Koni SA also allow for a 3/4" if you wish because the shock as 2 perch locations (stock location, 3/4" drop location) ... the same drop can be achieved in the rear as well with the heater-hose-mod.

[rapter34]

palanning on staying with stock springs for the time being and are the shocks easy to install? or should I have a shop do it?

[Eugenio_SS]

as long as you have access to a spring compressor you should be fine.
Some ppl also have fun with 1 bolt that got all rusted on top of the shock mount... but apart from that... it's a no brainer... and need an alignment after installation.

here is an installation thread : http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62364

[INMY01TA]

when you say track, do you mean 1/4 mile or a real race-track ?

[Eugenio_SS]

funny and appropriate smilie.

[INMY01TA]

funny and appropriate smilie.

Woops, meant to use these.