My '65 coupe with a small block seem really happy with a 1-1/8 inch bar on the front and a 1 inch bar out back. Now it's time to order bars for the wagon project.

The '65 wagon will be slightly lowered, with a big block up front. I'm inclined to go with the 1-1/4 inch bar up front, the extra size there to deal with the big block's greater bulk and a 1 inch bar out back. The rear bar may be removed later if deemed too much for optimum handling.

Will a 1-1/4 be overkill in the front even with a big block?

Sta-bars are tuning aids, every car responds differently based on tire size and quality, spring rate, RC height, shock type, bushing durameter rating, vehicle weight, driving style...you get the idea. Ideally you would set the front end up to require very little bar, the only way to know for sure is track testing. Ass-o-meter, freinds advice or what works on the guy around the corners car are not accurate ways of basing decisions about tuning aids.

But I do need a place to start and I thought folks with similar experiences could share their impressions.

The wagon will be lowered a bit with QA1 coil overs up front so the extra weight of the big block may not be as much of a factor. The noticeably stiffer springs and shocks as compared to my coupe and with taller spindles improving the front suspension geometry perhaps I won't need as much sway bar as I first thought. I can always swap bars in the future as needs dictate, but I'd like to get an effective set up out of the box if I can.

With QA1's and tall spindle conversion I would opt for less bar.

How much less? 1-1/8 or smaller yet?

How stiff are the springs? More than 400 lbs than 1" should be a good start, less than 400 than go with a 1.125"

I believe the springs have a rate of 345.

Run the 1 1/8".

Yikes! Those are soft springs. Are they variable rate or constant? I'm running 550 lb/in springs myself with a small block, and based on ride quality (still pretty darn smooth) I'm considering going even stiffer. 345 lb/in with a BB over the nose is going to be a bit "floaty" in my opinion and require some overdamped shocks to keep the nose float in check, but it would be best to assemble and drive it to baseline it before jumping to conclusions.

I'm with Dennis here, start with the 1 1/8 bar, although you may even end up with a 1 1/4 being that the springs are so soft. Personally I'd like to see stiffer springs and a smaller bar.

What's your rear spring rate? These cars tend to like them pretty soft, although I'm guessing a bit more rate on the wagon wouldn't hurt... I'm guessing a good starting point would be around 170-180 lb/in in the back.

Troy

345# coil overs are WAY different than 345# conventional LSA springs.

Originally posted by dennis68:
345# coil overs are WAY different than 345# conventional LSA springs. Duh... I forgot his other post where he mentioned he was running coil overs. graemlins/clonk.gif

Disregard last transmission then. redface.gif

Troy

I have to agree with Dennis. 1.125" up front and a 1" in back to keep understeer at bay. Start with the QA1s set at 5 clicks in front and 4 in the rear as a baseline and you should be good to go (fast!). smile.gif Marcus