Vern, sounds like the 36mm front sway will work out nicely on my 78 Malibu. Right now, its a complete boat. It came with the factory 1" sway bar up front only. I added the 7/8" rear and jounce bars up front to tighten things up, but they did little to help. The thing floats on the factory springs and worn out cheap shocks. The ZQ8's and 245/255 50 series tires did help some, But I plan on going with the 3" OPG drops up front and 2" in the rear. They don't list their spring rates, but guessing by a SOTP feel in the 79 Monte, I would say they're about at 700/160lb rates respectively. I will have to call OPG one day to see where they are at for sure though. Anyway, I think that setup along with an aftermarket 1" rear bar will give a nice, firm ride for the Malibu. No doubt it will be stiff, so I have a set of Bilsteins waiting to go on as well, they should smooth things out nicely and compliment the stiff springs/big bars. And, if down the road, I wanted to run a big block with full heat/air, I know it'll be setup to handle the weight. Best part also, I scored the front 36mm bar locally for $20.
The deals are out there, and I'm always the first one to go any length to get them. For instance, Summit charges $81 per Bilstein. Autozone sells them for $59 each, plus if you use their rewards card, you get $20 off when you spend $20 four separate times. So I bought my shocks one at a time and my last shock was only $39 instead of $59. :lol:
I had a similar experience with my 79 Monte as you did with you GN. I ran a set of Eibachs, Bilstein shocks, along with the factory F41 setup. This was with the same wheels I have now, but with taller 50 series tires. It handled very well, stiff but nothing too extreme. After a decent amount of miles, things settled and softened. I worked out a trade, and upgraded the rear control arms to tubular poly ones. At the same time I popped for the ST sway bar set. Night and day difference to me, the improvement felt like more of what I was looking for.. controllable with very little cornering roll. Later down the road, instead of rebuilding the factory front control arms, I worked out another trade for the tubular upper and lower control arms, which have the poly and went to a 45/40 series tire. I have yet to really enjoy this setup since I was unable to get the desired alignment. I know poly isnt ideal, but had it not been for the deal worked out to get them, I would've rebuild the stockers with Dels and a tall ball joint and the SPC uppers.
I don't think there's a one size fits all solution, it's more of personal taste/driving style issue, but IMO running a larger sway bar front and rear will compliment a good set of firm springs, especially after they are settled in. Add a good shock (Koni or Bilstein) and you'll have the foundation for a G-body that handles exceptionally well, and will still remain streetable.
The deals are out there, and I'm always the first one to go any length to get them. For instance, Summit charges $81 per Bilstein. Autozone sells them for $59 each, plus if you use their rewards card, you get $20 off when you spend $20 four separate times. So I bought my shocks one at a time and my last shock was only $39 instead of $59. :lol:
I had a similar experience with my 79 Monte as you did with you GN. I ran a set of Eibachs, Bilstein shocks, along with the factory F41 setup. This was with the same wheels I have now, but with taller 50 series tires. It handled very well, stiff but nothing too extreme. After a decent amount of miles, things settled and softened. I worked out a trade, and upgraded the rear control arms to tubular poly ones. At the same time I popped for the ST sway bar set. Night and day difference to me, the improvement felt like more of what I was looking for.. controllable with very little cornering roll. Later down the road, instead of rebuilding the factory front control arms, I worked out another trade for the tubular upper and lower control arms, which have the poly and went to a 45/40 series tire. I have yet to really enjoy this setup since I was unable to get the desired alignment. I know poly isnt ideal, but had it not been for the deal worked out to get them, I would've rebuild the stockers with Dels and a tall ball joint and the SPC uppers.
I don't think there's a one size fits all solution, it's more of personal taste/driving style issue, but IMO running a larger sway bar front and rear will compliment a good set of firm springs, especially after they are settled in. Add a good shock (Koni or Bilstein) and you'll have the foundation for a G-body that handles exceptionally well, and will still remain streetable.
