[ky67camaro]

i know there is the typical 7/8" that goes from leaf to leaf spring but i believe i saw one which it was two different control bars that apllied pressure on each leaf. i'm not sure so can someone explain how they work and the different types that are out there for the 1st gen camaro. also where do i get one? i would like to keep the leaf spring rear end but try to modernize it some.

[onovakind67]

Sway bars aren't about 'modernizing' a rear end, they're about tuning the suspension. Many serious road racers do not use a rear sway bar with a leaf spring suspension.
You can google 'how does a sway bar work' and get many good articles describing the effect of the bars.

[davidpozzi]

I'm not against rear antiroll bars. They are not recomended by some road racers meaning they try to set up the suspension so it's balanced but has no rear bar. For a street car, you can't just buy a rear bar, you need a matched set of front and rear bars so the car will not oversteer. Companies like Addco make anti-roll bars for a low price, you will find on a first-gen with Addco bars and stock springs, that the rear bar is very soft and does not really do a lot. My buddy removed his because it got in the way of his exhaust system. There didn't seem to be much difference in the handling.

I'd try a 1" front bar and see how you like that. If you feel there is understeer, add a rear bar. A kit like Addco sells is for stock springs. If you increase spring rates by using Hothckis or Global West springs, go with antiroll bars from the same source for the best result.

There are some other rear suspension types out there. The Detroit Speed four link suspension looks very good especially for a street car, but it's not a leaf system. Other than the usual Global West, Hotchkis, or Detroit Speed leaf springs, I don't see anything I like.
David

[ky67camaro]

i'm confused or maybe not been taught enough about suspension.....i taught the rear sway bar/front sway bar helps to eliminate roll in the body? if it isnt going to do me any good to buy one then i will not. i'm just trying to make my car as safety as possible and trying to get a good assetment of this stuff. """BETTER"""

o' i have a 78 nova sub frame onmy 1st gen camaro if that matter's at all

when it comes to suspension i'm stupid. i just know if it works it works. if it doesn't, replace it and hope it works. if problem is still not fixed replace again ect...

[JimM]

While it is true that sway bars eliminate body roll, the size / presence of a rear bar is mostly used to balance the suspension, that is to change understeer / oversteer characteristics.

Note that a leaf spring suspension has "lots" of roll stifness by nature.

[baz67]

The main purpose of a sta-bar is to control weight transfer. Changing the amount of body roll is a by-product of controling weight transfer.

[69 Ghost]

Dave while on the subject of rear leafs I was thinking of going with 5536 front coils and the stock 5leaf setup in the rear with del-alums. Is it worth it to get a new set of leafs? This will be strictly a street car -for now.

[onovakind67]

Here's some interesting reading on suspensions with a good explanation of roll coupling, etc.

http://members.aol.com/sccacuda/cars/1SmthTa.html

[Chevy-SS]

The unfortunate thing about testing a rear sway bar on a street car is: you can't easily determine understeer or oversteer. I mean, you've got to push the car to its' limits and there just aren't many places to safely and legally do that.


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