just installed BMR stuff

[V6Bob]

"1LE seems like a more balanced set of swaybars"

I understand how you would think that, based on how they feel to you. Actually, if you're talking about the 32/2Is which GMM tried and rejected in '93, I believe they're a little _less_ balanced than the BMRs. The BMR front is solid, and a little stiffer.

It's all about how springs and bars work together. The 1LE bars (the later 32/19s GM settled on) work well with 1LE springs (and appropriate shocks). Neither these nor the '93 1LEs, nor the BMRs, are good combos with V6 springs. All of them have big rear bars because they were intended to work with V8 springs, which are balanced very differently. Your idea of bigger rear tires might work, I don't know.

They'll all feel good in ordinary driving, but they'll let you down when you really need the best handling, either in competition or in an emergency maneuver. I've explained the theory above, and 5_spd_pewter_v6's experience is exactly what I would expect .

[ May 26, 2003: Message edited by: V6Bob ]</p>

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by V6Bob:
[QBIt's all about how springs and bars work together. The 1LE bars (the later 32/19s GM settled on) work well with 1LE springs (and appropriate shocks). Neither these nor the '93 1LEs, nor the BMRs, are good combos with V6 springs. [/QB]<hr></blockquote>


I agree, which is why I put the V8 springs on. I have the same springs that GM used with the 32/21 sway bars in 93. Since the L36 is lighter than the LT1 there is a slight increase in "effective" front spring rate to "counter-balance" the 21 mm rear bar. I did have the 32/21 with the soft 96 V6 springs and the car did oversteer, it doesn't anymore.

[Arctc Wolf]

the BMR 35/25 combo are both solid swaybars. also, These bars could prodice oversteer, whih is why I plan to use wider rear tires to make it harder to break them loose.

[Hugger3800]

If you all run a 32/19 sway bar setup you'll find that this combo works well for stock suspension setups and it was the way SLP setup their RS cars from 2000-2002. The 32 up front is from a 1LE setup and the 19 rear is off a stock Z28. The 32 bar works well with our same and V8 brothers rear shocks and the 19 is as large as I would go on our slightly softer front V6 shocks. I have this setup and I have not experienced any adverse problems. Keep in mind I live in South Florida were it rains everyday around noon and I don't drive like a ricer in Fast and Furious.

[Arctc Wolf]

water reduces friction between tire and road, so those swaybars are probly better for wet traction. I will stick w/ the bigger rear bar, and just tune the suspension and tires to that.

[Dominic]

I personally found my rain problems were not swaybar related... but tire related.

With good tires, it is safe in the rain, and great in the dry, and still has a hint of understeer unless I'm going around a cone at granny speeds :D I really haven't had a problem with mine. I do believe the 19mm bar might be better, but I'd have to of course try it. ;)

[blackbyrd]

v6bob what would you recomend for a 2001 firebird with eibach pro kits and monroe sensa trac shocks?
(sway bar wise)

[Predator Bird]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Arctc Wolf:
the BMR 35/25 combo are both solid swaybars. also, These bars could prodice oversteer, whih is why I plan to use wider rear tires to make it harder to break them loose.<hr></blockquote>

the bmr sway bars are a solid 32/21 combo. i'm still a little confused about which bars to get. i want to reduce body roll as much as possible, but i don't want to lose the rear end in the rain. i don't auto-x, so i'm not concerned about tuning my suspension perfectly. basically i can get the bmr bars for $20 more than the 1LE's and i just want to know if it will handle much better/worse with the bmr's over the 1LE's. also if i do go w/ 1LE's, should i get the 21 or 19 rear bar? sorry for the questions, just don't want to wreck my car.

[ May 28, 2003: Message edited by: Dominic ]</p>

[Arctc Wolf]

1LE's are hollow, and won't increase roll stiffness as much as solid ones will. I say 1LE, and if u drive normal, u won't lose the rear in the rain.

[Dominic]

I wouldn't bother with the BMR's unless you like pretty colors and extra weight ;)

[V6Bob]

Picking swaybars is tough, and best left to a professional. I just know enough (and have enough experience) to have an opinion on what is definitely bad on stock V6 springs. I've tried to explain why. But I'm no professional.

"i want to reduce body roll as much as possible, but i don't want to lose the rear end in the rain. i don't auto-x, so i'm not concerned about tuning my suspension perfectly. basically i can get the bmr bars for $20 more than the 1LE's and i just want to know if it will handle much better/worse with the bmr's over the 1LE's. also if i do go w/ 1LE's, should i get the 21 or 19 rear bar? sorry for the questions, just don't want to wreck my car."

As I said above, the 1LEs, the 93 "1LE"s, and the BMRs were all designed for V8 springs and more front weight, and I wouldn't recommend _any_ of them with V6 springs. A lot of people like the 1LE 32/19s on 1LE springs. On the V6 springs the same handling balance would require a smaller rear bar.

"v6bob what would you recomend for a 2001 firebird with eibach pro kits and monroe sensa trac shocks?
(sway bar wise)"

The one thing that I can say is that the eibach pros are very stiff and provide excellent roll control, as you must have noticed. Stock swaybars may well be the best choice (oh the horror...) and you don't want to go very big. Too much roll control will make the car twitchy.

But I'm just a guy like you. Call Sam Strano or your spring manufacturer for swaybar recommendations.

[ May 29, 2003: Message edited by: V6Bob ]</p>