I'm getting ready do do a complete front end job including changing to disc brakes from drums to my 68 Camaro. I have a big block 427 in it and have a question about changing the swaybar. Right now I have the standard 11/16" swaybar and plan on going to the 1 1/8" one. My question is from reading some of the threads on this change, I notice that there is concern of being too close to the harmonic damper with the larger diam. swaybars. I must be missing something because my swaybar is directly under the corner of my oil pan and a good 1 1/2" - 2' from the bottom of my damper. Before I go out to buy the larger swaybar, I want to make sure it will fit. Right now, my swaybar is about 1/4" from the bottom of my oil pan. Do the larger swaybars pretude farther forward to miss my oil pan? My damper is the 8" diam. size. Do I really need to go to the larger one when I only put about 1000 miles a year on it and is just mainly to car shows and cruise ins?

11/16" to 1-1/8" is a HUGE increase in torsional stiffness - why do you want to make that change? It'll understeer like crazy. :(

Since you have one already AND you don't drive it much I wouldn't bother if this is the only change other than the disc you are making.

Also was the swaybar you thinking about putting on a Hotchkis? If so they it is hollow, unlike the solid one you have know, and weigh less than a solid 11/16" and provide about the same affect if I remember correctly. Hopefully David Pozzi or someone else can confirm this.

John, I only wanted to make the change because from all the threads that I have read on this subject, everyone goes to the bigger swaybar because of the big block in it. I have put a couple thousand miles on this car and have no problems with the front end that is on it. I'm just asking since I will have the front end suspension apart to change it from drums to disc and replacing bushings and other front end parts. Nows the time to ask instead of after everythings already back together. Thanks for replying.

Rocketrod, The swaybar that I was considering was the ADDCO 1 1/8" but after reading your response and John's I may leave it alone. From past experiances, everytime I change something that is working, I end up making things worse. Thanks for your reply.

do it, change the sway bar!!

Why not just use the 1" Addco instead of the 1 1/8" bar?

The only reason that I chose the 1 1/8" ADDCO was that I have the chance of getting it for a good price. I may just leave the old one on since others have said the move to the larger one is unneccesary. If I do make the change I may just go to the 1" one even if it will cost more money.

The only reason that I chose the 1 1/8" ADDCO was that I have the chance of getting it for a good price. I may just leave the old one on since others have said the move to the larger one is unneccesary. If I do make the change I may just go to the 1" one even if it will cost more money.

The only reason that I chose the 1 1/8" ADDCO was that I have the chance of getting it for a good price. I may just leave the old one on since others have said the move to the larger one is unneccesary. If I do make the change I may just go to the 1" one even if it will cost more money.

i am truly amazed that so many people said not to change the sway bar,
if you want to car to handle batter, you need a stronger bar, period
there are other things to do also, but a sway bar is definitely needed

Will replacing the 11/16 factory bar with a 1" sway bar make for pleasant driving?

X33D80,
A lot depends on the roads you drive on. The larger bar won't make for a rougher ride on most roads, but if your roads have a lot of potholes the ride will get a little worse because the larger bar ties both front wheels together, the whole car will feel a one wheel bump more heavily. Most any modern performance type car comes with an anti-roll bar rate equivalent to the 1" bar on a Camaro.

A larger front bar helps keep the car more level in a corner, this actually increases the front wheel traction because the wheels are more flat on the road due to less body lean. It's not uncommon for a stock suspension Camaro to lean 6 degrees in a corner, wth a larger anti-roll bar, and stiffer springs, the lean will be less than 3 degrees, hopefully under 2 degrees. The bar increases the amount of load on the front wheels, so both the traction and load are increased at the same time, but traction will not be increased quite as much as load. A rear bar may be needed to keep the car in balance front to rear. Often the rear bar recomended is pretty small and depending on the tire sizes front to rear, and the weight front to rear, a rear bar may not be required. A 1" front solid bar is pretty standard for most camaros. A BB Camaro might need something more substantial since there is more front weight. I wouldn't use a 1 1/8" front solid bar on a small block Camaro.

If you do use the 1 1/8 front bar, you can lower the effective rate by using stock rubber end bushings on it.

David, Thanks for your very informative response. Living in the country in Northeast Ohio, we get our share of potholes from harsh winters. That being said, I probably will go with the 1" swaybar since I will have the front end apart anyway for the brake and other front end modifications. Thanks everyone for your input. Much appreciated.
PS David, I find your website a great source of information. I have already bookmarked it for future use.

X33D80,
A larger front bar helps keep the car more level in a corner, this actually increases the front wheel traction because the wheels are more flat on the road due to less body lean. It's not uncommon for a stock suspension Camaro to lean 6 degrees in a corner, wth a larger anti-roll bar, and stiffer springs, the lean will be less than 3 degrees, hopefully under 2 degrees. The bar increases the amount of load on the front wheels, so both the traction and load are increased at the same time, but traction will not be increased quite as much as load. A rear bar may be needed to keep the car in balance front to rear. Often the rear bar recomended is pretty small and depending on the tire sizes front to rear, and the weight front to rear, a rear bar may not be required. A 1" front solid bar is pretty standard for most camaros. A BB Camaro might need something more substantial since there is more front weight. I wouldn't use a 1 1/8" front solid bar on a small block Camaro.

If you do use the 1 1/8 front bar, you can lower the effective rate by using stock rubber end bushings on it.

David

I consider you to be the suspension guru on First Gens (as do most here, I'm sure) but this surprized me a bit. I was just about to order an 1 1/8 sway bar for my 68, but now I'm not sure. I have a SBC 400 car, Moog 6308 springs, the PDQCBB front brakes and 17 TT2 with a 235 tire. It's my best attempt at a pro touring car, so I assumed that I needed the bigger bar. Would you suggest the 1 inch bar instead? I would greatly appreciate your input.

Thanks
Robb

(Sorry to hi-jack the thread...)

We put a Hotchkis swaybar on my 67 yesterday. What a tedius task to fish it through.... If you are changing shocks and/or springs at the same time, change the swaybar while they are out. Gives you more room for manuevering.

Imho, a 1-1/8" hollow s/b is about equal to a solid 1" jobber! Only lighter.

I have ADDCO's 1" front and 3/4" rear on my car and slappers.

Sure, it pushed a bit in a corner, but nothing a little "throttle" kick-out wouldn't take care of!!

pdq67

Still working on installing my Hotchkis kit installation. A couple observations :

1 - they do not include bolts for the front bushing installation. If you did not have a factory front swaybar you need some 5/16 bolts. It appears the mounting holes are there on all models. It would be nice if they had thrown a few bolts in the box.....

2 - Rear multi-leaf springs include some huge U-Bolts. Seem like overkill considering the factory springs did not have any....

Still working on installing my Hotchkis kit installation. A couple observations :

1 - they do not include bolts for the front bushing installation. If you did not have a factory front swaybar you need some 5/16 bolts. It appears the mounting holes are there on all models. It would be nice if they had thrown a few bolts in the box.....

2 - Rear multi-leaf springs include some huge U-Bolts. Seem like overkill considering the factory springs did not have any....

On the Hotchkis install, is there any way to make the sway bar move more freely in the rubber mounts (frame)??

Mine seems quite stiff to move, which I'm sure doesn't help the suspension movement any ( I NEED weight transfer :D) Is yours stiff? (without the end link hooked up of course).

Sure, buy a poly mount kit w/ grease zerks for your S/B!!

As for way over-sized "U"-bolts, stock should be 7/16" and I personally like 1/2".

And I switched out the stock "T"-bolts in a heartbeat!!

pdq67

Trim just under 1/8" off the part of the bushing that touches the frame, that will reduce pressure on the bar. Allen head bolts work really well for the bar mounts.

A rear bar is usually needed when upgrading the front bar size.
David