#1  
Old 06-25-2019, 06:50 PM
punkin punkin is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 295
Default Front Sway Bar & Shocks

Hello all,

I'm slowly working at getting my 68 back onto the road. It did some time as a bracket racer and then some really hard time in storage. I want to drive it again.

Years ago I removed and tossed the factory front sway bar and need to get a new one. I'm not interested in high-G cornering but as I recall the factory bar was pretty soft.

Just looking for a nice predictable modern ride. I see sway bars spec'd at diameter but have not seen any that talk about how much stiffer they are than stock.

Any recommendations for a nice upgrade without going to crazy? Also while I'm at it. I'm going to toss the 90/10 drag shocks. I'm still running factory control arms...any suggestions on shocks?

Thank you in advance for the thoughts.

__________________
1968 Firebird
IAIIa 522
340 E-heads
Northwind with XFlow TBI
4L80E
3.50:1 Rear
  #2  
Old 06-26-2019, 09:31 AM
XLR8STEVE's Avatar
XLR8STEVE XLR8STEVE is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Detroit Area
Posts: 190
Default

my 68 has PST gmax 1 1/8" bar. nice ride.
kyb shocks. regular ride. not too stiff.
the front springs make more of a difference on how it rides.

__________________
[SIGPIC]
Steve
  #3  
Old 06-26-2019, 11:05 AM
694.1 694.1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SE WI
Posts: 1,366
Default

A 1 inch bar will be plenty! Any more & you will just get a ton of under-steer.
KYB shocks are great and most are made in America. Bilstein better. Koni, best!

__________________
"At no time did we exceed 175 mph.”
Dan Gurney's truthful response to his and Brock Yate's winning of the first ever Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining Sea...

Still have my 1st Firebird
7th Firebird
57 Starchief
  #4  
Old 06-26-2019, 07:33 PM
70gteeo's Avatar
70gteeo 70gteeo is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
Posts: 341
Default

On my 67 firebird 400 convertible I went with 1 in sway bar and bilsteins shocks. I also rebuilt the whole front end and put new moog springs for stock height and ride. All this made a big difference in ride and handling.

__________________
The first betrayal is what they did to you.
The second betrayal is what you do to yourself.

1967 Firebird 400 convertible 4 speed #'s matching
2002 SOM Trans Am WS6 Convertible 6 speed bone stock
1970 GTO convertible auto #'s matching
  #5  
Old 06-27-2019, 10:05 AM
RocktimusPryme's Avatar
RocktimusPryme RocktimusPryme is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Bedford, IN
Posts: 2,166
Default

I initially replaced my shocks with more or less stock replacement Monroe’s. They sucked. I replaced them again with the mid priced Bilsteins. Great shock at a reasonable cost. Something like 75 bucks each. Would highly recommend as the beat bang for the buck.

__________________
1967 Firebird 462 580hp/590ftlbs
1962 Pontiac Catalina Safari Swapped in Turd of an Olds 455
Owner/Creator Catfish Motorsports
https://www.youtube.com/@CatfishMotorsports
  #6  
Old 06-27-2019, 10:56 AM
JLMounce JLMounce is online now
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 3,679
Send a message via AIM to JLMounce
Default

I run the Hellwig bars on my 69 bird. The front is 1 1/4" hollow, which makes it about the same stiffness as a 1" solid, but slightly lighter. I also have their adjustable sway bar in the rear, which I would recommend as well.

For a stock suspension otherwise on a cruiser only, it's hard to go wrong with the Bilstien HD or the Koni Classic.

Even if you're staying with the stock springs, do yourself a favor and add a .5" tall ball joint to the upper control arms, then have a modernized alignment done.

Specs around:
-.5* camber
+2* caster
1/16" toe in

That combination above is going to ride nice and you'll be surprised at just how well it will handle.

__________________
-Jason
1969 Pontiac Firebird
  #7  
Old 06-27-2019, 12:43 PM
AG's Avatar
AG AG is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: NH
Posts: 3,240
Default

Is the toe in 1/16" each side or total for both sides?

__________________
1967 Firechicken, 499", Edl heads, 262/266@0.050" duration and 0.627"/0.643 lift SR cam, 3.90 gear, 28" tire, 3550#. 10.01@134.3 mph with a 1.45 60'. Still WAY under the rollbar rule.
  #8  
Old 06-27-2019, 07:52 PM
punkin punkin is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 295
Default

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Much appreciated.

__________________
1968 Firebird
IAIIa 522
340 E-heads
Northwind with XFlow TBI
4L80E
3.50:1 Rear
  #9  
Old 06-27-2019, 10:30 PM
punkin punkin is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 295
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JLMounce View Post
I run the Hellwig bars on my 69 bird. The front is 1 1/4" hollow, which makes it about the same stiffness as a 1" solid, but slightly lighter. I also have their adjustable sway bar in the rear, which I would recommend as well.

For a stock suspension otherwise on a cruiser only, it's hard to go wrong with the Bilstien HD or the Koni Classic.

Even if you're staying with the stock springs, do yourself a favor and add a .5" tall ball joint to the upper control arms, then have a modernized alignment done.

Specs around:
-.5* camber
+2* caster
1/16" toe in

That combination above is going to ride nice and you'll be surprised at just how well it will handle.
Please tell me more about this .5" tall ball joint.

__________________
1968 Firebird
IAIIa 522
340 E-heads
Northwind with XFlow TBI
4L80E
3.50:1 Rear
  #10  
Old 09-12-2019, 07:01 PM
punkin punkin is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 295
Default

I ended up ordering the Hellwig 1 1/8" sway bar and it arrived today...wow...it's big

It came with everything I need except the bolts that hold the brackets to the car frame. I did a little surfing last night and wasn't able to turn up what the proper faster should be. I was also unsuccessful in finding a place where to purchase them.

Does anyone know what type of bolt is needed for the sway bracket to frame would be?

Plated, length, thread, grade, washer? (flat or lock).

Thank you.

__________________
1968 Firebird
IAIIa 522
340 E-heads
Northwind with XFlow TBI
4L80E
3.50:1 Rear
  #11  
Old 09-12-2019, 08:22 PM
amcmike's Avatar
amcmike amcmike is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,733
Default

Get one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Bolt-Thread-C...8332595&sr=8-1

It's paid for itself in time and trips to the hardware store.

For suspension components, I like to use grade 8 bolts.

Can't help you on the length, maybe you can get a long undersized bolt or rod and see mark how deep it goes and measure that. I'd probably use a lock washer with it, just to be sure it doesn't back out.

__________________
"The Mustang's front end is problematic... get yourself a Firebird." - Red Forman
  #12  
Old 09-12-2019, 10:55 PM
punkin punkin is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 295
Default

You are an enabler and I am a tool junkie Thanks for the suggestion.

__________________
1968 Firebird
IAIIa 522
340 E-heads
Northwind with XFlow TBI
4L80E
3.50:1 Rear
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:51 AM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017