so the f body 36mm bar wouldn't be as strong as the f41 1 1/4'' solid bar correct? i have the stock 1 1/8'' front bar on my wagon so would there be that much of a difference to change for just an 1/8'' more? i already have the rear gn bar from a member on here. i think that is 3/4, 7/8 or maybe 1'' but i doubt it.
F41 suspension
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79malibu said:
I haven't driven my Cutlass yet, but I swapped out my stock front sway bar for an F41 sway bar and you can see the difference in how much bigger the F41 bar is, and it is heavier too. I would think the F41 bar is stronger and would be better in cornering and running curves and such.
The '79 I cannibalized this past week had a pretty big sway bar up front as well as a rear sway bar. Is a rear sway bar necessarily an indicator of an F41 car?
Camshaft said:
Yes
F-41 cars had front and rear sway bars. Non-F-41 cars had only the front sway bar.
I am still trying to find enough data points to compare hollow vs solid.
Think of it this way, if you add 1/8" in diameter, it's kinda like wrapping another 1/8" bar around your solid bar.
Found stats comparing a 14/16 (3/8) vs a 15/16 solid bar. Only being a 1/16" thicker it is 32% stiffer.
Strength goes up by it's square.
A hollow 1"version of the same bar is stiffer then the 14/16 and less the 15/16.
Based on that I would say yes, the 1 1/8" is worth changing and yes it would be stiffer then the 36mm (1 3/8").
I might pop off my 1" rear and try the 7/8" and see how it is with the 36mm front.
Think of it this way, if you add 1/8" in diameter, it's kinda like wrapping another 1/8" bar around your solid bar.
Found stats comparing a 14/16 (3/8) vs a 15/16 solid bar. Only being a 1/16" thicker it is 32% stiffer.
Strength goes up by it's square.
A hollow 1"version of the same bar is stiffer then the 14/16 and less the 15/16.
Based on that I would say yes, the 1 1/8" is worth changing and yes it would be stiffer then the 36mm (1 3/8").
I might pop off my 1" rear and try the 7/8" and see how it is with the 36mm front.
Could the quick ratio steering that came in the GN/442/MCSS also be part of the F41 package?
Also there was a post on montecarloss forum "front swaybar upgrade make a difference" where Norm Perterson (autocross racer & I would say suspension guru) had a formula for calculating relative stiffness on swaybars and had results on the F41, the 36mm hollow, and others.
28.57mm standard gbody bar = 66.7 plus this had no rear bar
F41 (32mm solid) relative stiffness = 104.9
36mm hollow = 127.6
34mm solid = 133.6 (some Trans Ams & Camaros)
So the 36mm hollow is stiffer than the F41 but not excessively. Its also much lighter. No better place to take weight off the gbody for handling or drag raceing than the front of the car.
PS If anyone is interested I have front and rear F41 sway bars including bushings & mounts also the jounce bars the third bar that connects them as well as the trunk criss cross brace and the Pontiac underhood braces that I would sell. I will sell the whole package for $150. Oh new PST poly end links that I will throw in. Lol add shocks springs better rims & tires and you won't believe its the same car. I like the Edelbrocks ISAs or Billensteins for shocks and Moog 5660 for springs.
Also there was a post on montecarloss forum "front swaybar upgrade make a difference" where Norm Perterson (autocross racer & I would say suspension guru) had a formula for calculating relative stiffness on swaybars and had results on the F41, the 36mm hollow, and others.
28.57mm standard gbody bar = 66.7 plus this had no rear bar
F41 (32mm solid) relative stiffness = 104.9
36mm hollow = 127.6
34mm solid = 133.6 (some Trans Ams & Camaros)
So the 36mm hollow is stiffer than the F41 but not excessively. Its also much lighter. No better place to take weight off the gbody for handling or drag raceing than the front of the car.
PS If anyone is interested I have front and rear F41 sway bars including bushings & mounts also the jounce bars the third bar that connects them as well as the trunk criss cross brace and the Pontiac underhood braces that I would sell. I will sell the whole package for $150. Oh new PST poly end links that I will throw in. Lol add shocks springs better rims & tires and you won't believe its the same car. I like the Edelbrocks ISAs or Billensteins for shocks and Moog 5660 for springs.
Dogshit, check the link I posted at the beginning of this topic.
In it Norm and I debated and compared our set-ups.
He is local but we have not gotten together yet.
In it Norm and I debated and compared our set-ups.
He is local but we have not gotten together yet.
I forgot about the quick ratio steering box, which I did get and have installed. The only braces I don't have are the criss cross behind the rear seat. I have the fender to radiator support braces, and have a set of cowl to radiator support braces ready to go on the car. Jounce bars and the GP bar also on the car.
so if I'm reading this correctly:
rear sway bar is an indication of a f41 package, but it may not have the quick ratio gearbox? if no, is there a stampingor any charachteristics to look for in hopes of finding one on the car? I'd hate to get a gearbox home just to find out it's just as crappy as the one that was already on there... :lol:
rear sway bar is an indication of a f41 package, but it may not have the quick ratio gearbox? if no, is there a stampingor any charachteristics to look for in hopes of finding one on the car? I'd hate to get a gearbox home just to find out it's just as crappy as the one that was already on there... :lol:
I think quick ratio boxes have 4 bolt square covers and the normal ones have a round stamped steel cover. Could be wrong on that.
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