Sway bar size advice

[1973Barracuda]

Getting ready to buy some sway bars for my 73 Barracuda, 360 auto. Thinking of The Hellwig bars. How does 7/8 rear and 1 1/8 front sound? To improve handling. should I be buying t-bars first? Looking for the right way to improve the handling of my car. BTW shocks are decent and relatively new. Car handles ok. Without spending too much(Hotchkis), will I notice a difference in the Hellwigs over say Addcos? Love to hear from guys who have purchased different brands.
Jason

[femtnmax]

A good starting point is read the post today for:   "rear spring selection" by cudazappa

[PlumCraZRT]

I think lookin at the Hotchkis catalog is the way to go... they have some awesome stuff, but the price is a bit steep.  I wish I had their front/rear sway bars (particularly their rear).  The rear one has a really nice mounting system.

I have the Hellwig system and it makes noise when I back out of the driveway which is both annoying and makes me wonder if it's loose.

[mattsclassic]

we have never had any problems with the Hotchkis sway bars and other suspension parts. All of our customers who have purchased the parts were very happy with the install and performance of the components as well. They are a bit expensive, however it is well worth it! If you decided you want the Hotchkis parts let me know I can get you a forum discount
Thanks
Kim
MCB
925-828-5555

[HP2]

I have not used the Hotchkis parts, but the biggest advantage I see of their systems is they correct a few geometery issues and allow adjustability. This can be a big advantage is you drive your car in a spirited manner regularly or if you want to tinker with it to best suit your driving style. If you just want it to feel a bit more stable on the way to the show and shine, a big front sway bar and a good alignment will do that for a lot less money.

So, will you notice a big change from an Addco to Helwig to Hotchkis; not up front, IMO. In the rear you may as only the Hotchkis bar offers adjustment points to change the applied rate. Looking at their set up, I'd say each mounting point will alter the rate by 100#, so you have a decent range of adjustment with their unit that others do not.

[1973Barracuda]

Thanks to all who responded. Now I need to do some research on Hotchkiss I suppose. At first I was a little hesitant to spend that much on a sway bar, but..... I don't want to waste money on something I won't be happy with, just to buy something else down the road. I drive this car almost daily, so I would like some decent handling. I have read some posts on sway bars but there is lots of conflicting data. Some have said Addcos are fine, some say junk. Back to the research.

[autoxcuda]

I'm pretty sure the Helwig rear sway bar is also adjustable on an E-body. The Helwig's are also tubular (hollow) front and rear.

I have not used the Hotchkis parts, but the biggest advantage I see of their systems is they correct a few geometery issues and allow adjustability. This can be a big advantage is you drive your car in a spirited manner regularly or if you want to tinker with it to best suit your driving style. If you just want it to feel a bit more stable on the way to the show and shine, a big front sway bar and a good alignment will do that for a lot less money.

So, will you notice a big change from an Addco to Helwig to Hotchkis; not up front, IMO. In the rear you may as only the Hotchkis bar offers adjustment points to change the applied rate. Looking at their set up, I'd say each mounting point will alter the rate by 100#, so you have a decent range of adjustment with their unit that others do not.

[Aussie Challenger]

I have the standard factory bar on the front and an Addco on the rear, works great. Some of the conflicting comments come from what each person wants from their suspension. Some like their cars to handle like they are on rails and are prepared to put up with the firmer ride, at the other end some want the smooth modern car ride and of course there is the in between. Don't forget that your suspension is a package and all the components should work together to achieve what you want.   

[JoltinJoe]

I have the standard factory bar on the front and an Addco on the rear, works great. Some of the conflicting comments come from what each person wants from their suspension. Some like their cars to handle like they are on rails and are prepared to put up with the firmer ride, at the other end some want the smooth modern car ride and of course there is the in between. Don't forget that your suspension is a package and all the components should work together to achieve what you want.   

Any sway bar(s) / t-bar suggestions for those looking for the 'smooth modern car ride' as mentioned above?

[RB2929]

1973 Bcuda-
I have the new PST catalog.
They hve a new G-MAX front & rear sway bars.
These bars are advertised a "Pro touring sway bars."
Front: 1-1/4" at $229
Rear: 7/8" at $229

The web site is not updated, though.
Give them a call: 800-247-2288

The cover of the new catalog, dated spring 2010, has coupons for:
$25 off purcases at $250
Ask about the discount.
Also, they advertise free shipping.

Good luck, and keep us updated
Ron

[Road_Runner]

Any suggestions sway bar(s) / t-bar comments for those looking for the smooth modern car ride as mentioned above?

I'm looking for the same combo myself.  My 73 Barracuda is relatively rattle free and I'd like to keep it that way, so springs & bars significantly stiffer might start beating the chassis more than I want to.  So something to make it corner predictably with firm but not 'stiff' handling is what I'm looking for.  Anyone who's managed this type of ride please let me know how you got it!

Thanks, Jim

[HP2]

Smooth, factory style ride with better corning manners, I'd say this, .92 bars for small block, .96 bars for big block, XHD or equivilent rear springs, 1.125 front sway bar, .875 axle hung or .75 frame hung rear sway bar, off the shelf gas shocks at a minimun, Edelbrock or non-adjustable QA1s would be better, modern alignment.

This still allows a very pliable suspension for straight line travel, with some beefy sway bars to plant things in the corner, gas shocks smooth everything out, and the alignment makes everything play nice with the road surface.

[Road_Runner]

Any idea what size front & rear (when equiped) sway bars Cuda's came with from the factory?  Sounds like everyone is leaning to slightly larger both front & back than what I remember Mopars coming with back in the day.  Seems like fronts were 1", not so sure about back.  Also, if anyone knows what size torsion bars a 73 318 Barracuda would have come with please let me know that, too.

Thanks, Jim

[HP2]

I beleive small block cars had a .875 front sway bar, big block cars had .937 front sway bar, all rear sway bars were .75

A 318 Barracuda would have .88 t-bars.

In the three decades since these cars were produced, drivers have become more accustomed to higher wheel rates and better performing suspensions. For a point of comparison, a modern sports sedan would utlize spring rates that a comparable to a 1" t-bar and a 1.125 sway bar, which is wh many driver's feel their muscle car is not on par with a modern car in lateral accelleration performance. Combine that a bias ply alignmnet and otentially flexng uni-body, and yes, a muscle car can feel very non-muscular as a daily driver.

[Road_Runner]

I'm not sure what size front sway bar TA Challengers & AAR Cudas came with, but if I go with a rear sway bar from one of those on my 73 Barracuda, will either the .88 small block or .93 big block front sway bar work with this rear?  If I need more stiffness out of the front does it make sense to go with stiffer poly bushings on the front and rubber on the rear?  I'm not looking for slot car type handling, just better than stock but still with a decent ride, etc. 

Also, are there any issues with running a TA/AAR rear bar on a 73?

Thanks, Jim