Suspension TECH Including Brakes, Wheels and tires

          
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-14-2024, 06:31 PM
Rachelsdad's Avatar
Rachelsdad Rachelsdad is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 146
Default '63 Bonneville convert - thoughts on sway bars

My '63 has new springs (standard duty, non-AC), KYB gas shocks, Diamondback radials, and her original (anemic, by today's standards) sway bar. The ride is excellent, but feels even lazier in turns than I recall.

I know she'll never handle like my '06 STS-V, but that's not my goal. I'd like to not get that lump in my throat when driving around curves, feeling the body roll, and having to brake hard (usually late) to keep control. I don't drive her hard, either.

I suspect that the original sway bar is tired and not even performing as it did originally. That said, I'm wondering what is available on par with the original heavy duty bar or at least close to factory-looking which will get me closer to my goal for this heavy car.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

TIA

__________________
Lewis
--------------------------
Lewis Rosenthal
'63 Bonneville Convertible
'56 Safari
'82 Firebird SE
  #2  
Old 05-14-2024, 09:08 PM
694.1 694.1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SE WI
Posts: 1,376
Default

Coil rears with trailing arms are just a bolt in. Available in the aftermarket.
Aftermarket fronts are available buy you need to loosen one lower control arm to install.
You may enjoy a variable rate steering box while you are in there.

__________________
"At no time did we exceed 175 mph.”
Dan Gurney's truthful response to his and Brock Yate's winning of the first ever Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining Sea...

Still have my 1st Firebird
7th Firebird
57 Starchief
  #3  
Old 05-14-2024, 11:11 PM
Rachelsdad's Avatar
Rachelsdad Rachelsdad is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 146
Default

Thanks.

All I'm looking to do is replace my stock (old) sway bar with one which has a bit more thickness to it. Stock appearance is really a must for me, so fancy stuff is not really an option.

I didn't realize how hard it was to find slightly oversized but stock "looking" stabilizers. PMT Fabrication has one which looks like a possibility, and OPGI has one which is 7/8" (I believe stock was 3/4" - which is really rather funny for such a big car) and supposedly stock in appearance.

__________________
Lewis
--------------------------
Lewis Rosenthal
'63 Bonneville Convertible
'56 Safari
'82 Firebird SE
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:23 AM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017