1LE vs Aftermarket Sway bar "front"

[V6Bob]

Re: 1LE vs Aftermarket Sway bar "front"

You seem to know spring rate information and I've been looking for that. Do you happen to have or know where to get the spring rate info for all the various, O.E. suspension levels?

Is this info helpful?

GM Stock F-body Springs

FRONT

22077189 (39 N/mm, 223 lbs/in) (93-97 V6)

22133438 (45 N/mm, 257 lbs/in) (98-00 V6)

22077197 (51 N/mm, 292 lbs/in) (93-00 V8)

22132887 (63 N/mm, 360 lb/in) (WS6, 1LE)



REAR

22077418 (16.9 N/mm, 95.4 lbs/in) (93-97 V6)

22077421 (19.9 N/mm, 114 lbs/in) (93-00 V8, 98-00 V6)

22132889 (23 to 30 N/mm, 130-170 lbs/in) (WS6, 1LE)

http://tech.firebirdv6.com/suspension.html

That doesn't include the early 1LE springs which GM used on just a few cars (maybe 20?).

EDIT: Found this:

"The regular V8s have a 30mm front sway bar (same as V-6 model) and a 19mm rear sway bar. The springs are 292 pounds per inch up front and 114 pounds per inch in the rear. The 1LE and WS6 suspension package has a 32mm front sway bar and 19mm rear sway bar (note, 1993 and early 1994 1LEs got a 21 mm rear bar). The springs are 360 pounds per inch up front and 130-180 pounds per inch (progressive) in the rear (note, 1993 1LEs got the same springs as regular V8s)."

http://www.f-body.org/oldfaq/html/faq/ch4.html

It's not precisely accurate with regard to timing of changes, because, as noted by Chaotic Firebird, GM changed the 1LE bars and the springs at the same time.

BTW, since the early 1LEs were sold for the express purpose of Showroom Stock racing, I've always assumed that GM made the changes after the maybe 20 cars based on track experience.

[Hib Halverson]

Re: 1LE vs Aftermarket Sway bar "front"

It's kinda-sorta helpful but only goes to MY00. The car I'm working with is an 01. Do you know if that spring info carries forward to 01/02?

[V6Bob]

Re: 1LE vs Aftermarket Sway bar "front"

It's kinda-sorta helpful but only goes to MY00. The car I'm working with is an 01. Do you know if that spring info carries forward to 01/02?

99+% sure that it does. My "Standard Catalog of Firebird 1967-2002" lists no changes. And this says that it does carry forward:

http://www.lastofthebreed.com/Servic...ngratedata.htm

[matt3989]

Re: 1LE vs Aftermarket Sway bar "front"

wow, now that was an intense debate

[John G.]

Re: 1LE vs Aftermarket Sway bar "front"

FWIW, I'll give everyone another data point -- my car is a 99 Camaro V6 convertible, with the following:

SFC's
STB
32mm 1LE front bar
21mm 1LE rear bar
1LE end links on all 4 corners
factory biscuits on all 4 corners
SLP Bilstein's on all 4 corners
factory SS wheels with four Firestone Firehawk WideOval's 275-40-17
alignment to factory specs for a 99 SS conv.
everything else is original (springs, panhard, torque arm, LCA's, etc.)

...no understeer, no oversteer, a bit tight as daily driver's go, but very predictable & so far I've run out of nerve before the car seemed to run out of grip

:D

[Hib Halverson]

Re: 1LE vs Aftermarket Sway bar "front"

99+% sure that it does. My "Standard Catalog of Firebird 1967-2002" lists no changes.

Thanks