removing front swaybar

[knowyourenemy66]

I have fiberglass bumpers front and rear--bumpers shocks eliminated--also switched rear brake drums to aluminum--having a handlaid fiberglass pin on hood custom built right now--hood hinges and latch will be eliminated--Is the aluminum driveshaft a GM piece or aftermarket?

 

[foxtrot]

Driveshaft is an aftermarket item - they are different lengths depending on the transmission that you have

 

[79loserbluebu]

I've seen people driving with an Anti roll bar (which is different from a sway bar)

you have my interest on that one... :?:

http://www.spohn.net/shop/1978-1987-GM- ... y-Bar.html

It basically eliminates most body roll you will have. I'm trying this one out on the drag strip, but they sell an adjustable "rpo-touring" style one that may be more suitable for the street. Spohn said the del-sphere (delrin) bushings are okay to use on the street, so we will see how it holds up. My front sway bar bolt holes are stripped so I fixed them with rivet-nuts, but once the first track day comes I will drive it to the street with no sway bar, rear ARB pre-loaded, 90/10 shocks up front, and on 275/60 MT drag radials and 215 tires on a set of Weld Prostar 15x3.5's. So that will be the ulimate test; 15 street miles from work to the track.

 

[pontiacgp]

It serves the same purpose and they do call it by both names "Pro-Series Rear Anti-Roll Drag Sway Bar" I've heard sway bars called anti roll bars in the past 3 or 4 decades but I thought maybe you had something different. That is a nice set up you have and I'm thinking of going with something like that in the rear to get the bar off the lower control arms

 

[79loserbluebu]

Well they do have weld in ones that work better, but I don't think the frame would like that too much when you turn at a decent speed hah

 

[chstonebraker]

get ya some drag light rims if you dont already have them. they will save a ton of weight

 

[84sbcregal23deg]

theres a company on ebay selling super lightweight radiator supports (square tube type). search lightweight g body support. im pretty sure its around $200, but saves a lot of weight. definitely lose the front bar if you're only going straight and the big axle mounted ARB's work great, but are pretty heavy. its more work to install, but wild rides race cars and TRZ motorsports sell really nice weld in chassis mounted ones that are pretty lightweight. ran my regal around with no front sway bar and QA1s with 250lbs/inch springs in the front. it's pretty bouncy, but as long as you know the cars limits it's fine. going through the same thing right now with mine, the dash isn't even going back in. just gonna make a switch panel and gauge pod to go onto the dash bar of the cage. its an addiction that consumes my every thought, lol. other things i can think of (not sure if you already have em yet) are aluminum bumper brackets, aluminum radiator, lose the tailpipes, bullet mufflers, fuel cell, light weight wheels, switch to a 2.5" coilover spring in the rear, aluminum seats/brackets and aluminum brake calipers/lighter rotors, aluminum drums. EVERY little bit helps!

my friend - "hey vin, we're going out to the bar. you wanna go?"
me -" yea, i think i might go with the carbon fiber ones!"
my friend - "?"
hahahaaa

 

[84sbcregal23deg]

btw i have an aluminum driveshaft thatll fit your car (as long as you have an 8.5" rear) that im looking to sell if you're interested.

 

[GhettoRacingKid]

there isnt much I can add about weight savings...

you can change the carpet, strip the insalation and get the cheap repalcement. it will save you weight and and new carpet willnt look bad either.

Any rubber coating or whatever. spend the time and scrap it.

Body mount bushings you can change them to solid aluminum. saves weights and stiffer ride.

Honestly i would forget about swiss cheesing the panels. you might regret it down the road and the weight savings isnt as much as you would think.

you can also cut out the crash bars in the door. Questionable for a t-bone accident but its around 40lbs each i believe.

What are your plans with the car? what is your target times at the track? how much street use?

The stuff adds up fast... trust me. Ask me how i know.

 

[1SlowBu]

FWIW any drag application can benefit from removing the front swaybar. But not from a weight saving perspective. It 'really benefits front suspension travel for better weight transfer. I drive my street/strip car without a front swaybar. But I don't bring it on the highway or try slalom turning with it. Normal driving around town has been with absolutely no issues. Just my .02

BTW the spohn rear swaybar is an awesome piece.