Author Topic: Sway Bars (Read 4966 times)

Bandit one · « **on:** February 07, 2007, 09:38:43 PM »

If i remove the front and rear sway bar in my 79 T/A will the suspension work better? I mean will it transfer weight quicker?

eroc022 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2007, 09:40:14 PM »

yes it actually allows for the springs to travel further, its an easy gain at the track for traction, but bad in cornering

Bandit one · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2007, 10:03:16 PM »

I am using this car for drag racing so i guess this will help then???

eroc022 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2007, 10:06:54 PM »

yes its a cheap fix.....takes weight off the car...and transfers weight better
2 birds with one stone

Bandit one · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2007, 12:13:55 PM »

Thanks for the info, i will be tearing front and rear off then!

79T/Aman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2007, 06:47:30 PM »

even at the track keep the rear one on this will help plant both rear tires and if you are going to drive the car on the street I would not remove the front bar just unbolt the end links when you go to the track

Bandit one · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2007, 07:27:55 PM »

Really, so i should keep the rear one on?? I thought maybe if i take it off the suspension will "collapse" easier. I won't be driving this car on the street it is strictly drag raced. I am looking for best racing suspension without spending alot of money. Thanks for any additional info.

LeighP · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2007, 07:04:19 AM »

the anti-roll bars help stop the body twisting on launch and getting all out of shape.
Also, think of the fact that you're doing 100mph at the traps...you want to drive a car with no sway bars at 100mph?

even in a straight line....
Drag racer guy I talked to once said he tried it with and without sway bars connected on his car...didn't seem to make any difference to how it hooked up, just was a bit more squirrelly to ride on is all.
My suggestion...leave them on, run the car with them connected, then try removing the end links on the front one - see how it feels.

eroc022 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2007, 10:39:50 AM »

Quote from: "LeighP"

the anti-roll bars help stop the body twisting on launch and getting all out of shape.
Also, think of the fact that you're doing 100mph at the traps...you want to drive a car with no sway bars at 100mph? even in a straight line....
Drag racer guy I talked to once said he tried it with and without sway bars connected on his car...didn't seem to make any difference to how it hooked up, just was a bit more squirrelly to ride on is all.
My suggestion...leave them on, run the car with them connected, then try removing the end links on the front one - see how it feels.

the main job of the sway bars is to keep the wheels supported when doing sharp turns, not to keep the body from twisting...that is what frame connectors and frame stifffeners are for....ive taken off my sway bars for the track numerous times, hitting 115- 120 mph trap speeds with absolutely no problems...and its a t top car...the sway bars do more of keeping the springs from expanding as far as they possibly can, and when they are removed the springs easily go much further...if they were intended to keep the body from twisting up then they would have made the mounts and links that hold them out of a more heavy duty design...if you are using the car for strictly drag racing then go ahead and remove them....the front is more important than the rear as your rear springs dont need to expand only compress.....take a good look at some full drag cars and youll see that almost none run with any type of sway bar cause there is no turning involved till your doing about 5-10 mph at the other end of the track...

Bandit one · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2007, 12:04:47 PM »

thanks for the input guys, my 79 T/A has t-tops also, but i have heavy duty frame connectors. The car is only raced on the 1/8 mile track so my speeds won't be getting that high. I am getting a bit of mixed messages, but still think i am going to remove both front and rear, with the understanding that the rear isn't going to help that much. If anything i will save some weight......thanks

79T/Aman · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2007, 05:01:34 PM »

the sway bare DOES help keep the body from twisting on it's suspension (also called anti-roll bars) and you will fine drag race cars with just a rear sway bar to help keep the chassis from twisting and unloading one of the rear tires, the bottom line is make changes that will help YOU and YOUR car go faster not what everyone else is telling you, listen to advice but what works for one may not work for another

speedshopmike · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2007, 10:46:03 AM »

79TAman is the correct person to listen to in this case.
the rear bar will help launch; a swaybar is designed to inhibit lateral weight transfer.
cars do twist coming off the mark; a rear bar will help equalize power transfer to both rear wheels and improve traction.