Advise on sway bars

[pbs911]

A little too much body sway in my 78SC Targa. Bruce Anderson recommends upgrading the sway bars with the OEM 86+ 22/21 for the early cars. These are not the through the body style. But alot of guys go with the through the body style. I have a lead on both styles. Any input as to the performance differences between the two types? I know the through the body are adjustable, but is there any other benefits?

The car is a daily driver and already has 22/27 torsion bars.

Also I assume the a-arm has to come off to install the 86+ OEM front sway bar, correct?

Thanks.

[Todd Simpson]

Paul-
I upgraded my '83SC to the 22/21 style and it was noticeably flatter on the street and track. I paid $150, used them for a year and sold them for the same amount. I didn't go through the body because I planned to sell the car in a year.


I did get the newer bar in without removing the A arm but it wasn't easy. If your car is a keeper I'd go through the body and be done with it. There must be a reason almost every aftermarket kit is the old style.

Todd
'71T

[Randy W]

Through the body style sway bars are straight rather than curved. Straight sway bars provide more linear leverage and better response than the curved style. If your highest priority is best performance, the early style or straight adjustable after-market is the way to go. If your priority is lowest cost, the later style used factory bars may be the better choice. As a side note: The 18mm through the body factory sway bars are not adjustable but equivalent to about a 21mm curved style in firmness.

[pbs911]

Thanks for the impute. I have reservations with too stiff of ride going with the through the body with 22/22 sway bars. I believe the under the body 22/21 sway bars will provide a good street/track compromise.

[Bill Verburg]

Be sure to get adjustable links, they can be adjusted to suit different driving styles and tracks.

[Jack Olsen]

Bill's right. With adjustable bars, you'll be able to pick and choose when you get ride stiffness, and also custom tailor your suspension characteristics (which makes sense, given your slightly unusual t-bar sizes). I'd go with the through-the-body style in front -- Weltmeister's fine, and -- if you plan on more track visits, especially, the Smart Racing bar in back, which offer better adjustibility and more intelligent hardware placement than the Weltmeister rear.

Of course, if you decide you want a used rear Weltmeister bar for the back (22mm), let me know. I'll sell you mine.

[89911]

You don't have to remove any items on installation other than the wheels. Won't affect the alignment either. The SmartProducts bar doesnt even require removal of the old sway bar mount or redrilling of a new mount up front.