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Finally found a few hours to work on the car the other day, so I installed the 1LE (32mm) front sway bar I ordered a couple of weeks back ...
Installed:
SLP 1LE front sway bar ($76 + $20 shipping) from LM Performance)
Polygraphite bar bushings ($25) and end links ($25) from PST
Previous suspension/chassis mods:
BMR shock tower brace
Objective:
Better-handling daily driver (no plans to hit the track ... wouldn't mind trying an auto-x one day though)
The install:
Took roughly 1 1/2 hours because I had a hell of a time getting the bushing bracket holes to line up properly, since the poly bushings don't crush like the rubber ones.
Opinion:
Well, it's certainly not a one-step fix-all for F-body suspension problems (not that I expected that), but it does eliminate a lot of body roll and quicken steering response.
I've read several posts from people who think adding a bigger front bar without a larger rear will increase understeer, and some who say the increased camber control that comes with a bigger bar will actually result in a better balanced car. In the limited amount of driving I've done with the new bar bar on, I can't honestly say I've noticed either in "normal driving." (Yeah, it corners better due to the decreased body roll, but is it any more balanced?) What I do notice is that when quickly turning the wheel (like twisting between cones in a slalom test) the rear feels like it is on a slight delay and takes a sec to catch up. Maybe once I get the Bilstein HDs on, the better rebound will help that.
Next up:
Bilsteins, polygraphite bushings on the front "A" arms, rear lower control arms and panhard rod.
Installed:
SLP 1LE front sway bar ($76 + $20 shipping) from LM Performance)
Polygraphite bar bushings ($25) and end links ($25) from PST
Previous suspension/chassis mods:
BMR shock tower brace
Objective:
Better-handling daily driver (no plans to hit the track ... wouldn't mind trying an auto-x one day though)
The install:
Took roughly 1 1/2 hours because I had a hell of a time getting the bushing bracket holes to line up properly, since the poly bushings don't crush like the rubber ones.
Opinion:
Well, it's certainly not a one-step fix-all for F-body suspension problems (not that I expected that), but it does eliminate a lot of body roll and quicken steering response.
I've read several posts from people who think adding a bigger front bar without a larger rear will increase understeer, and some who say the increased camber control that comes with a bigger bar will actually result in a better balanced car. In the limited amount of driving I've done with the new bar bar on, I can't honestly say I've noticed either in "normal driving." (Yeah, it corners better due to the decreased body roll, but is it any more balanced?) What I do notice is that when quickly turning the wheel (like twisting between cones in a slalom test) the rear feels like it is on a slight delay and takes a sec to catch up. Maybe once I get the Bilstein HDs on, the better rebound will help that.
Next up:
Bilsteins, polygraphite bushings on the front "A" arms, rear lower control arms and panhard rod.
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