I've been looking for a front and rear sway bar set for my chevelle and the name brand bars (Addco, Hotchkis, STI) are about $250-$350 for both bars and hardware. National Parts Depot has a set that is around $130 for the same stuff. Is there anything that makes the name brand bars worth $100+ more? I know the Hotchkis bars are hollow for weight, but is that all?
Thanks
Steve

Some bars are worth more than others, the Speedway Motors bar is worth way more money, the Hotchkis bar is hollow so I guess it may be worth a little more. How about going to the wrecking yard and picking up a Z28 bar for $20. Or, how about installing some stiffer front coils and leaving the stock bar if handling is your game.

I've been watching for a firebird/camero bar, but the only ones I've found have been $50+. I thought $130 for 2 new bars with bushings,etc. was pretty cheap. Spring are in the future, but I thought I would get sway bars first. I just can't see spending $100+ more for a name brand unless there is some kind of difference I don't know about.
Thanks
Steve

Originally posted by dennis68:
How about going to the wrecking yard and picking up a Z28 bar for $20. Im going this tuesday with a friend of mine to look a seats and get myself a swaybar(s)

What years Z28 front sway bars fit on a 70 malibu?

1970-1982

1970-1981 F-bodies will fit . . . This includes Camaro, Z/28, Firebird, Formula, Trans Am.

Usually the largest 1 1/4" bars come from Trans Ams and Formula's from the late 70's/early 80s.

To answer my original question, Whats the difference between NPD bar and the name brand bars that makes them $100 more. The answer is a misprint in the catalog :D . I called National Parts depot to ask about the $99 sway bar kit and was told it is $199, catalog misprint.
Steve

Addco, STI, NPD, OPG, PST, bars are all about the same. The Hotchkis bars is hollow which makes it lighter so that is worth something. Look for the best deal.

Thanks Denny, from reading your first response, do you think money would be better spent on springs all the way around, rather than sway bars? I'm in the process on upgrading the steering box on my '72, but need to find some way to stop the bad body roll. I was planning on some 1" lower springs later, but thought sway bars would help right now. What are your thoughts?
Steve

I would do springs first, you already have a sta-bar. Upgrading to higher rate/lower springs will be a much better upgrade than a bigger sta-bar. Remeber that new bushings and end links will help quite a bit too, look for poly bushings and links for sta-bar (their only good use).