Rear sway bars | FerrariChat

Rear sway bars

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by snj5, Jun 26, 2008.

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  1. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
    10,213
    San Antonio
    Full Name:
    Russ Turner
    Does anyone have any experience in fabricating sway bars? Are they a certain type of steel? I know that there are several applications for 308s and all out there, but was exploring putting a bit stiffer bar on the rear on a Mondial.

    All advice welcome.

    thanks
     
  2. ferrarilou

    ferrarilou Formula Junior

    Apr 13, 2004
    513
    US
    Full Name:
    Lou Menditto
    I had run across Saner Performance Fabrication in the past but backed away when I read some feedback that they are pretty slow. If this doesn't bother you, email John at [email protected].

    If you have the clearance, you can look at assembling a separate bar and arms such as the ones here:
    http://1speedway.com/Swaybars.htm
    however if I remember correctly, the Mondial bar was considerably more curved.

    Good luck.



    Lou
     
  3. mk e

    mk e F1 World Champ

    Oct 31, 2003
    13,767
    The twilight zone
    Full Name:
    Help me get this thing finished! https://gofund.me/39def36c
    I don't have an answer to your actual question, but in general the rear sway bar is the last thing you mess with. Increasing rear roll stiffness tends to cause over-steer which can make the car unsafe to drive. If you already have stiffer springs and front sway bar then

    "never mind" (in my best Rosanne Rosanadana voice :))
     
  4. KKRace

    KKRace Formula 3

    Aug 6, 2007
    1,052
    Rockville/Olney MD
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    This guy is a really good guy and he has made some custom bars for us. Nothing fancy but if you can get away with a straight bar with just bends on the ends he can make one up for you. He does mainy mustang bars. To answer the other part of your question they are made out of spring steel and need to be heat treated after they are bent to shape. http://www.swaybar.com/
     
  5. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

    Oct 3, 2002
    4,364
    United States
    Full Name:
    JM3
    #5 jm3, Jun 26, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have dealt with both of those companies, and ended up having my own fabricated. I can put you in touch with the person that makes this. It is 4130 with 4130 blades, then heat treated. Various stiffnesses are made by using different wall thickness of tubing.


    JM
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  6. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
    10,213
    San Antonio
    Full Name:
    Russ Turner
    Thanks for all of the replies.
    Is there a standard way or number to cross compare? deflection/lb force? I would not be adverse to fabrication if I had an objective measure.
     
  7. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

    Aug 8, 2002
    4,152
    Bay Area Calif.
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Just exactly what is the car doing that you are trying to correct?

    Increasing rear roll stiffness by use of a stiffer anti-sway bar is seldom desirable, more often a stiffer rear spring will give better results. The reason is that a sway bar transfers load from the inside wheel to the already laden and overworked outside rear wheel, just what we don't want. Stiffer rear springs will give more roll resistance without transference of load, albeit at the cost of less compliance with the pavement, but then most race tracks are quite smooth nowadays.

    You can also play around with the bump rubbers on the shocks far cheaper that making a anti-sway bar

    On the race car I run an undersize rear bar at it's softest setting and tune with the front bar. I'd leave the damn thing off if it weren't for appearances sake.

    In any case you want E4130 normalized, then heat treat to Rockwell 34-36 after forming.
     
  8. ExcelsiorZ

    ExcelsiorZ Formula 3
    BANNED

    Nov 7, 2003
    1,267
    Beverly Hills
    How much does he charge for those bars?
     
  9. Shark49

    Shark49 Formula Junior

    Mar 31, 2005
    773
    Boone, NC
    Full Name:
    Nathan
    #9 Shark49, Jun 26, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2008
    I tried talking to Saner but he didnt seem "enthusiastic" at all so i said forget it. I am actually just going to order new mounts with polyurethane bushings from ENERGY SUSPENSION which should stiffen things a bit over the stock rotted rubber.

    I actually remember reading somewhere on this forum or maybe ferrarilist that stiffer rear sway bars actually really helped the mondial.

    I know its not the same car but I added front and rear stiffer sway bars to my Subaru WRX and it was a night and day difference. I could track the car much easier and "read" the road better.

    -Nate
     
  10. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

    Aug 8, 2002
    4,152
    Bay Area Calif.
    Full Name:
    Dave
    All I'm saying is that rear roll stiffness is like salt, a certain amount enhances flavor, too much ruins the meal.

    Everyone has to satisfy their own taste.
     
  11. TopElement

    TopElement Formula 3

    May 14, 2005
    1,540
    OC & Vegas
    Full Name:
    A Montoya
    An adjustable anti-roll bar is pretty much a must. It needs to be able to be fine tuned.
     
  12. Shark49

    Shark49 Formula Junior

    Mar 31, 2005
    773
    Boone, NC
    Full Name:
    Nathan
    Thats exactly what I had on my wrx. It had three separate locking points for progressively stiffer ride. I believe whiteline was the company.

    Too bad we cant do some kind of front strut crossbar stiffener too.
     

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