Rear sway bar

[strangesvo]

So I've been poking around here trying to find the answer and I think I know but I want to make sure. Will the rear sway bar from 94-98 GT/V6 fit on the SVO? What about 99-04? The FOX platform is getting more difficult to find in the salvage yards so while I'm in the Detroit area for the holidays I might take advantage of the plentiful used parts yards in the area. However if SN95 sway bar will fit I'll wait until I get back to NOLA. Thanks enjoy the holidays.......

[Kendal Coker]

I have an svo one if you want to stop buy North Alabama on your way up or back. I am close to I 65.

[svono50]

I have a buddy who has an SN-95 ('03 GT) and was going to measure his to compare to my stock bar to check. Unfortunately I likely won't have an answer for you before Monday next week. Since the chassis pickup points didn't move between the Fox and SN-95's for the rear lowers, I would have to think their bars would be a swap to ours.

[strangesvo]

Thanks for the offer but I'm looking to get a larger Dia. Sway bar. I have seen a few SN95 stangs in the yard I go to in NOLA but never see a fox body. Here in MI. I think I could find a fox GT while I'm here. If the SN95 sway bar doesn't fit then I will try to find a fox GT before I head back. If the SN95 does fit then I will wait til I get back. Thanks.

[gbeaird]

The Fox GT rear will fit, and you can get them in larger diameters. A good upgrade for the front is the late-80's T-bird TC. If you're under a TC, get the rear K-member brace, and attaching hardware. It's also bolt-in.

[svono50]

Well, comparing the numbers between my stock bar and my friend's 03 GT bar, the SN95 rear should swap right in. The width of the bar at the front and rear of the mounting (flat) flange match with in a couple 16th of an inch, which is nothing considering the bar get moved around a bit when bolting in. I would search the yards for an SN95 unit or as Gene mentioned trying to find a T-bird unit (pre-1989).

Looking at the bars: Stock SVO = 17.2mm, Fox GT = 21mm, SN95 GT = 23mm, Eibach = 25mm. From my experience, the Fox GT bar was a good step from the stock unit, so the SN95 bar should follow suit. The Eibach unit, when combined with the front Eibach unit (35mm) and Pro-kit springs was a really nice step up. Good luck in your search.

[strangesvo]

Thanks for the info, I will look for the SN95 in the yards down south. I know it will be easier to find a bar from SN, also noticed the V6 has 21mm which I've seen a few of those junked......have safe New Years!

[svono50]

Good luck and let us know what you think of the larger bar.

[strangesvo]

Quick update on the rear sway bar. After determining the SN95 rear sway bar will fit the fox platform I went the local yard in search of a SN95 GT rear Sway bar (24mm), but the few GTs in the yard were already picked clean. There were numerous SN 95 V6 (21mm) so I nabbed one of those. Yes it fits perfect...I have driven it on the street and car feels tighter however I also put new MM adjustable lower control arms so I can't really tell you if its the sway bar or both. Either way it doesn't matter because am pleased with the outcome. I will still keep an eye out for the 24mm bar to try that as well. I will be installing a watts link or Pan-hard bar soon, I haven't totally figured out which one yet. I know the watts link is better but it is also twice the price and I'm not on a track just weaving through cones. Anyway thanks for the advice and I will post results after the next Autocross event. Here's a few pics....IMG_2944.JPGIMG_2943.JPGIMG_2953.JPGIMG_2953.JPG

[svono50]

Hmm, those rear arms look familiar... You should notice less understeer with the larger rear bar and feel a little more in control, hope the results show said improvement!

As for your next step in the rear suspension, I will throw my advice toward the watts link for obvious reasons (see avatar), but if you don't want to spend the $$, the panhard is your next best option. I still have yet to 'tune' my watts, but the amount of stability it gives the rear end is well worth the effort, no more 'wobble' on on/off ramps or over bumps, the car feels so much more planted when the side-to-side movement of the rear end is no longer there.

[JTurbo]

Nice update to this thread!

[gbeaird]

How was the MM LCAs to install? I have a set, just need to move them under the car and see if they put themselves on. :-)

I'll second the motion for the Watts Link. We have one on our C Prepared GM F-body, and absolutely LOVE it. Yes, you need to tune them, but it's pretty easy to do. Additionally, with a Watts, you'll want an assortment of bars to play with, too. You may actually go back to a smaller bar with the Watts.

[strangesvo]

The MM LCA install went very easy, which I expected it not to go easy so I was delighted when it did. When I installed Eibach springs last year I noticed a 1/2 inch different in the left and right rear height. The reason I went the the adjustable LCA is so I could evan that difference out. Now I can level the car on all for corners. I haven't started that project yet because I'm going to install caster camber plates and when I do that I am going to add the upper spring isolaters in the front which I purposly left off during the install last year. After I complete that work and level the car I will update my other post "Eibach sportline write up" with heights and pics.

I agree with both of you on the watts link I just have to save my pennies a little longer for that purchase.

Thanks

[Bruce]

I concur on all of the above. I don't know about tuning the watts but it made a huge difference. If there is room for improvement I would be really impressed. My adjustable lowers didn't have enough travel to compensate for the side to side droop but the spring spacer did. I am still running stock sway bars, don't know if the stiffer ones are needed. Car is pretty taught as is.

[SVOeric]

I've been paying close attention to this one. my car has more rear lift on the corners than I like, and wondering if this might be a way to get it to sit a little flatter in the tight corners.