Sway Bar

[texasz]

Is this a front sway bar for a 240Z?

[texasz]

And is this a rear sway bar for a 240Z?

UPDATE: This is not the right pic, please see later post below for the correct one.

[Bambikiller240]

The one labled as front "looks" like an after-market one for a 240Z. As large diameter as it appears, I would modify the mounts as bars this big tend to wreck havoc with the front frame rails. These big bars transmit so much force to the frame rails that the rails eventually rip open. Not a good thing to have happen to your car!

Not so sure about the rear one, though if it is for a 240Z, it is the type that some of us don't like to use because it would require drilling holes in the chassis to mount.

[texasz]

The one labeled front is huge! It's 1 1/8" dia. So it would not be recommended to use something this large. Ok, I have not bought it yet and now will not. What is the largest recommended size 1" or what?

The one labeled rear is also one I'm looking at buying. It is claimed to be from MSA. Is theirs the one that you have to drill to install? If so then what is the recommended one for the rear?

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by texasz

The one labeled front is huge! It's 1 1/8" dia. So it would not be recommended to use something this large. Ok, I have not bought it yet and now will not. What is the largest recommended size 1" or what?

The one labeled rear is also one I'm looking at buying. It is claimed to be from MSA. Is theirs the one that you have to drill to install? If so then what is the recommended one for the rear?

Whoa, didn't say that the front one is not reccomended, just that to ensure that your frame rails don't get ripped apart you need to modify the mounting. A 1" bar will do the same thing. I would not use anything larger that stock without modifying the mounts. Even a 1" bar is pretty stiff.

Regarding the rear bar, YES the MSA bar is the kind that many folks don't like to use. The preferred type mounts to the brackets that Rear suspension is mounted to. (Flat metal brackets that hang down on either side of the diff.) The sway bars come with a bracket that replaces the stock ones. I believe that Suspension Techniques is one company that sells that type. I bought mine so long ago that I don't remember what brand it is.

[texasz]

What mods are required for the front so as not to damage my car?

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by texasz

What mods are required for the front so as not to damage my car?

What many folks do is to drill all the way through the frame rail from the bottom (right through the threads in the rail) all the way through the top of the rail, then you use LONG bolts that go all the way through the frame rail and secure the bolts with washers and nuts at the TOP side of the frame rail. That way the sway bar brackets are secured to the entire frame rail instead of by just the lower wall of the rail. Once you've done this there is no way to go back to the original method of mounting the brackets cause the thread s are gone.

[texasz]

Hmmmm..... I'll have to think about that one first. I suppose that even if you go back to the stock sway bar you could still mount it this way so you would not need to go back to the old way of mounting.

Is a 1" or 1 1/8" front and 7/8" rear a good combination? How will this change the handeling of the car and what else should I know about before making my decision? I will be autoxing the car next year, this is why I'm looking into this.

Update!! The seller just sent me the correct pic of the rear sway bar, the one above is incorrect (it is of the front that he no longer has). Here is the correct pic for the rear sway bar. Still the MSA model.

[Victor Laury]

Allen,

If you buy and use that rear bar, be sure to scrap the provided hardware. The bolts are too short and grade 5 (!), Needs locking hardware and much larger washers to spread the load.

Here's the install on my car with Grade 8 and BIG fender washers

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by texasz

Hmmmm..... I'll have to think about that one first. I suppose that even if you go back to the stock sway bar you could still mount it this way so you would not need to go back to the old way of mounting.

Is a 1" or 1 1/8" front and 7/8" rear a good combination? How will this change the handeling of the car and what else should I know about before making my decision? I will be autoxing the car next year, this is why I'm looking into this.

Yes, you could still mount a stock front bar with the modified mount. The only reason I mentioned it is that it will never be perfectly "stock" as in for a "concours" restoration. The mount is permanently altered. That's all.

I LOVED my 1" Quickor front bar and 7/8" rear bar. The car had Bilstein Gas Struts as well, and cornered "flat as a pancake". Virtually no body roll at all.

[texasz]

I've been looking around and ST makes a 1" front and a 3/4" rear sway bar only. The ones that MSA sells are 1" front and 7/8" rear but these are the kind that many do not like since you have to drill the chassis to install them.

Does anyone one else make/sell sway bars for the 240Z?

EDIT: I did just call Quickor and they make a 1" front for $189 and a 7/8" rear for $179 but can not tell me if you just drill the chassis at all to install. Sounds like a small company, lacking a bit in the knowledge and customer service side. Any other places?

[JEFF]

texasz

I have the 1" / 7/8" set from MSA in my car --- love the handling response!!! I mounted the front as Carl mentioned / I mounted the rear as Victor's picture shows. 1" / 7/8" combo seems to be the right one for me.

- Jeff