Swaybar Upgrades

blu falc · 10-05-2007, 08:03 PM

Firstly, I did a search and it doesn't seem like this has been covered at all.

What swaybar upgrades are availble for AU's with IRS? I have a Fairmont Ghia series 1 and the body roll around corners is terrible. The Shocks are still in good condition and I will be lowering it soon but from experience I know massive improvements can be had with just slightly thicker swaybars.

Whiteline do an upgrade with both adjustable and non-adjustable heavy duty swaybars but are there any other (cheaper) options? Did TS50's or XR's get better swaybars? Are there any other suspension companies that do an upgraded swaybar?

I am more interested in upgrading the rear swaybar because the car understeers worse than the other falcons I have owned or driven.

bodes-sh · 10-05-2007, 08:12 PM

instead of upgrading swaybars you could also try putting nolathane swaybar bushes in, as these apparently uprate the current bar by being a harder compound than rubber

b2tf · 10-05-2007, 08:15 PM

I think XR's may have got a different one but can't be 100%, if you're getting bodyroll though the first thing I'd do is look at lowering it a bit, it will help tame it a bit.
I'm pretty sure Whiteline do a kit to suit AU's, and as has been said, Nolathane do OEM replacement bushes for the whole lot.

blu falc · 10-05-2007, 08:20 PM

does anyone have any experience with replacing the bushes? I would assume that the ride would be a little more harsh, where as the only noticeable side effect of upgrading the swaybars is the car becoming a little more skippy when only one wheel hits a bump.

FGII-XR6 · 10-05-2007, 08:35 PM

most suspension places carry these front 27MM bar rear 22MM bar go to www.whiteline.com.au for more details

blu falc · 10-05-2007, 08:41 PM

yer, I realise whiteline do an upgrade. I'm just trying to see if there is a factory upgrade.

Do BA swaybars fit?

FGII-XR6 · 10-05-2007, 09:03 PM

there is also an SVO option available try Mick web automotive

bodes-sh · 10-05-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blu falc

does anyone have any experience with replacing the bushes? I would assume that the ride would be a little more harsh, where as the only noticeable side effect of upgrading the swaybars is the car becoming a little more skippy when only one wheel hits a bump.

i've done the fronts on my au1 forte, stock ride height, nearly rooted shockies and i can say it makes a hell of an improvement, no harshness in the ride, any more than expected anyway

blu falc · 10-05-2007, 09:30 PM

cheers guys, does anyone know if BA swaybars will fit?

FGII-XR6 · 10-05-2007, 10:18 PM

there is the T series front bar part No TAUTVE 5494 A the sports suspension front bar AU2 5482 B the XR rear bar with sports suspension ER 5A772 F

JC · 11-05-2007, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blu falc

cheers guys, does anyone know if BA swaybars will fit?

Yes, but they're only 24mm bars. Same as the AU2/3 XR bars. The AU1s had a 27mm swaybar, but it's a different shape. There are no nolathane link bushes as such for an AU2/3 - they do make them, but instead of $15-20 per sway bar, it's more like $100, and given that the AU2/3 & BA link is actually more of a ball joint, it's not going to give the benefit that nolathane bushes do on E series and AU1s.

You would probably need to replace the whole swaybar with a bigger one.

blu falc · 12-05-2007, 12:51 PM

cheers guys, I have an AU1 Fairmont Ghia, does that mean the AU2/3 and BA bars wont fit?
JC-The 27mm swaybar for AU1's, what model were they fitted to?

DoreSlamR · 12-05-2007, 07:38 PM

I have a 30mm whiteline sway bar with nolathane bushes on king super lows and pedders sportz ryders shocks.
Makes a HUGE difference!
and yes AU2 onwards will not fit the AU1

blu falc · 12-05-2007, 08:40 PM

Thanks doreslamR, what factory upgrade options do I have for a series1 AU? Is there an easy way to fit the AU2 bars to AU1's?

Did the IRS setup differ from AU1-AU2 so that I can't use an AU2 bar in the rear either?

bodes-sh · 12-05-2007, 08:46 PM

there's a very easy way to fit a front au2 bar to an au1, it only involves replacing the uprights, spindles and converting the brakes to au2 while you're at it, worthwhile as the au1 brakes aren't all that good compared to au2

JC · 12-05-2007, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blu falc

Thanks doreslamR, what factory upgrade options do I have for a series1 AU? Is there an easy way to fit the AU2 bars to AU1's?

Did the IRS setup differ from AU1-AU2 so that I can't use an AU2 bar in the rear either?

bodes is spot on for the front, and the IRS didn't change for the rear.

blu falc · 13-05-2007, 05:06 PM

cool, so any AU/BA/BF rear swaybar will fit no mods required?

I plan on doing the big brake upgrade to terry brakes but I'm waiting for them to come up cheap.

JC · 13-05-2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blu falc

cool, so any AU/BA/BF rear swaybar will fit no mods required?

I plan on doing the big brake upgrade to terry brakes but I'm waiting for them to come up cheap.

No, anu AU1/2/3 IRS swaybar will fit, not sure about BA/BF as they had control blade suspension, so it could be different. Easiest way to know for sure is to look at someone like whiteline.com (.au?) and check the part numbers for the respective models. If they're the same, then you know they'll fit.

bodes-sh · 13-05-2007, 10:16 PM

pretty sure ba/f ones won't fit, as you can see the sway bar mounts under the rear of them, those bits that hang right down under the rear end....just had a look, way different part numbers....

in saying that the only list one rear for live axle sedans....it's a 22mm heavy duty, part number BFR53

also, fronts au2 - bf2 are all the same part numbers, so there you go...btw, au irs ba irs rears still have different part numbers

blu falc · 14-05-2007, 10:08 AM

cheers guys, all answered