Front sway bar stock versus aftermarket.

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565bbchevy

Geezer
Aug 8, 2011
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With all things being equal (same bushings, end links and solid construction) would a 1.25" factory F41 front sway bar have any disadvantage compared to an equal size aftermarket front sway bar?
 

pagrunt

Geezer
Sep 14, 2014
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Elderton, Pa
Only thing that I could think of would be grade of spring steel & any slight change in bends for fit.
 
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69hurstolds

Geezer
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Jan 2, 2006
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Weight may be the only factor. Depends if the aftermarket bar is hollow or solid like the factory bar. Hollow bars are more susceptible to break, but if it's a well made bar, you probably won't.

USUALLY hollow bars are just slightly less stiff than the equivalent sized sold bar, but not by much. Not enough to notice on a G-body with a big block anyway.
 

565bbchevy

Geezer
Aug 8, 2011
9,591
12,612
113
Michigan
[Q
Weight may be the only factor. Depends if the aftermarket bar is hollow or solid like the factory bar. Hollow bars are more susceptible to break, but if it's a well made bar, you probably won't.

USUALLY hollow bars are just slightly less stiff than the equivalent sized sold bar, but not by much. Not enough to notice on a G-body with a big block anyway.
I was comparing solid to solid.
 

69hurstolds

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Jan 2, 2006
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OOps. My bad. I didn't read it well the first time...never mind. Depending on the steel, if it's about the same, diameter is the only real factor on stiffness. You probably won't notice any difference if the bars are solid and the same size.
 
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UNGN

Comic Book Super Hero
Sep 6, 2016
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Southlake, TX
If there was a significant difference, one would think the Aftermarket companies would advertise it... like: 15% Stiffer than the Factory 32mm Bar!!!

Because they don't seem to advertise the difference, the difference may not be very much.

This measurement would be super easy for MFG's to do with some weights and a caliper, so they probably have done it.
 
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xylorex

Master Mechanic
Aug 2, 2018
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New Orleans, LA
The umi solid bars are manufactured out of chrome moly. They don't compare it's performance to the f41 bar, only the small one.
 
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melloelky

Comic Book Super Hero
Oct 22, 2017
4,135
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mass
the chrome-moly ones are a stronger bar because of the heat treatments alone,compared to the standard oe bar of the same size that's merely annealed..they're bound to last longer than the 30+ year old ones most of us are currently running.
 
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