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NCC Forum Home Page -> NCC - Projects and Updates -> Anyone here have any experience in installing a F-Body 2nd generation front sway bar into a 66 chevelle?
Post Info TOPIC: Anyone here have any experience in installing a F-Body 2nd generation front sway bar into a 66 chevelle?
jim larson


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Anyone here have any experience in installing a F-Body 2nd generation front sway bar into a 66 chevelle?
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Is this a recommended  up-grade.  Is it a P I ...?  The rest on the front suspension is factory if that makes a difference.  Except steering ratio has been change and effort increased.  Has anyone here done this?  I haven'g gotten a sway bar yet.  Hope to pick one up for $30 or less.



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Jim L

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Derek69SS


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I have done it a few times. You'll need longer end links to keep the sway bar from hitting the tie rods.

It's a good cheap upgrade IMHO.

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Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project
Enganeer


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Don't forget to buy new mounting bushing in the correct sway bar OD.

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John E - Rogers, MN

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jim larson


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Thanks for the comments.  I have been reading some threads on TC regarding this up-grade.  Sounds like something I can do.  I understand the longer end links  are necessary to be able to get the threads started, unless you use some kind of a pry bar to move the end of the sway bar down.  And you should attach sway bar to the frame first.  I hear  that most of the trans-am bars from 70-81 are 1.25 or larger.



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Jim L

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Derek69SS


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Most you will find will be either 1.125 or 1.250

The longer links keep the bar from touching the tie rod. It will be VERY close if you use stock length links.

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Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project
SShink


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Derek69SS wrote:

Most you will find will be either 1.125 or 1.250

The longer links keep the bar from touching the tie rod. It will be VERY close if you use stock length links.

Derek, do you recall the length of front sway bar links that work with the F body 1.25" bar?  I picked up a bar earlier this year and still need to buy the bushings and end links.

Thanks.



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Derek69SS


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sorry, I don't... last time I did it was about 8 or 9 years ago.



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Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project
jim larson


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Derek69SS wrote:

Most you will find will be either 1.125 or 1.250

The longer links keep the bar from touching the tie rod. It will be VERY close if you use stock length links.

It looks like the bar gets real close to the idler arm.  I guess this might be an issue as some have noted on TC, can't find the photos or threads just now.  Would a 1.125 bar be just about as good as a 1.25?

Below is a thread on a 1.25 bar install on a 66.

Install

 

 



-- Edited by jim larson on Saturday 31st of October 2015 09:48:43 AM



-- Edited by jim larson on Saturday 31st of October 2015 10:00:21 AM

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Jim L

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jim larson


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Here is a photo from TC on the clearance between the sway bar and the idler arm.  Later in the thread, solution is suggested.

idler arm



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Jim L

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Derek69SS


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1.125 bar is about 45% stiffer than your original 0.938 bar
1.250 bar is about 75% stiffer than your original 0.938 bar



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Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project
John D


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Did this conversion on "Blackie"...

Yes on the longer links needed.
I wound up getting links for a '90's Ford F-150 (don't remember specifics). They were plenty long enough, and came with polyurethane bushings.

I had the bar bolted to the frame and raised the ends to where they were more or less parallel to the ground, and no interference with the steering linkage. Took a measurement.
Then took the (slightly longer than needed) links and marked them to the length measured.
A little trimming with a hacksaw on the tube and bolt to get the correct "assembled" length, and bolt them in.



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John D. - St. Louis Park, MN.

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