Is it worth switching to the 36mm F body sway bar from stock 32mm?

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ck80

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Or get fixed yourself. Then it's party time! 🥳 🤣
It's a risk/reward calculation, much depending on age.

One benefit of getting older is that you need neither be fixed nor use condoms, assuming you trust your wife
 
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Longroof79

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So, yes it helped you. That's what its supposed to do.
To answer the OP question, it depends. If your car has factory type wheels and tires, then i would say no, don't bother. It will make the car twichy on turn in. If you have upgraded tire size to 17" or larger, then i would say go for it. You will enjoy the difference on turn in.
You need to look at the suspension as a whole unit. Larger sway bars also need lower profile tires, and better shocks.
Joe,
What I'm saying is that the difference between bars may be negligible. I'm also using KYB Gas-adjust shocks, rear swaybar, body braces, Energy Suspension body mounts, 15 x 7 steelies with 235/60 x 15 Cooper Cobra tires, boxed rear control arms. All in all, I think the car handles pretty well for what it is.
I'm sure if I switched out to lower profile 17" wheels and tires, it would be a noticeable difference I'm sure. I'm sure the ride would be a bit harsher as well.
 
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87Aero

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Joe,
What I'm saying is that the difference between bars may be negligible. I'm also using KYB Gas-adjust shocks, rear swaybar, body braces, Energy Suspension body mounts, 15 x 7 steelies with 235/60 x 15 Cooper Cobra tires, boxed rear control arms. All in all, I think the car handles pretty well for what it is.
I'm sure if I switched out to lower profile 17" wheels and tires, it would be a noticeable difference I'm sure. I'm sure the ride would be a bit harsher as well.
I have 17x8 wheels with 1 inch BMR lowering springs. F41 on an 87 SS and feel I need nothing else sway bar wise. Plus 4mm might interfere with the 255 40 17’s up front steering wise. I have the Year One replica stock wheels for 87.

It corners like it is on rails and I don’t need anymore. Agree that on 15’s the bigger bar may not be worth it as the weakest link is the high profile tires.
 

PBGBodyFan

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Mar 3, 2009
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ROI is a good point, for how easy and typically how cheap you can find a 36mm bar for, it’s typically worth it IMO. The setup of the car, spring rate and wheel size/tire also valuable as pointed out. On a stock car it probably isn’t doing much, but if you run 17”s and stiffer springs, let alone more, it’s a nice budget improvement. Finding 3rd gen f-bodies is getting a little harder though just like our cars.

I am in the middle of swapping a 34mm hollow bar out for a 36mm hollow on my LS, since I found one in a local yard a year or two ago.
 
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Longroof79

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I think my point is, that you can get your car to handle pretty well without breaking the bank and using factory enhancements. The 60 series tires provides decent handling and ride comfort without being too harsh on the street. Over the years I gleaned many tricks on the Monte SS forum. I'm also using the Monte SS quick ratio steering box.
 
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timo22

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Sep 10, 2012
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For anybody interested in upgrading, I have close to 40 sway bars. 34mm ,36mm hollows and F41 1 1/4" solids and 3/4 and 7/8 rear bars.

timo22
 
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Bill Rhodes

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Jun 25, 2022
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Yes i did that. You may need to upsize the rear bar to get maximum benefit. Drive it to the limit and see if the front plows or the rear wants to swing around.
 

airboatgreg

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I think my point is, that you can get your car to handle pretty well without breaking the bank and using factory enhancements. The 60 series tires provides decent handling and ride comfort without being too harsh on the street. Over the years I gleaned many tricks on the Monte SS forum. I'm also using the Monte SS quick ratio steering box.
You are absolutely right. I also use that gear box. Like I said, after I did just a few thing I was impressed with how it handles
 
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Longroof79

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You are absolutely right. I also use that gear box. Like I said, after I did just a few thing I was impressed with how it handles
Greg,
It just takes a few simple upgrades to notice the difference in drivability and handling without going broke.
 
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