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Swaybar choices for Barracuda #2677591
07/15/19 12:06 PM
07/15/19 12:06 PM
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Houston,Tx.
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Lee446 Offline OP
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I am back again! The wifes 70 Barracuda is on the road, gen 2 alum headed hemi. This car started life as a 318 Barracuda and did not come with a swaybar. I put in 1.05 torsion bars along with KYB shocks. I have decided that a swaybar will round out the improvements to make this a nice safe cruiser. I had ordered a Hellwig 1-1/4" hollow bar, but got put on back order. I was wondering what would be a better choice, several makers have a 1-1/8 solid bar, or should I go with the 1-1/4 Hellwig? What would be the best choice? Going up 1/8" in the Hellwig seems like a big move, would this be too much bar for a non-autocrosser? Ride quality, if applicable, is important. Any advice appreciated.

Re: Swaybar choices for Barracuda [Re: Lee446] #2677676
07/15/19 02:48 PM
07/15/19 02:48 PM
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AndyF Offline
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I have a new Hotchkis front sway bar that I'm not going to use. I'm planning on taking it to the next swap meet but if you want it I could box it up and ship it. Shipping will be expensive though.

https://www.hotchkis.net/product/fr...-suspension/?mk=&yr=&md=&sm=

Re: Swaybar choices for Barracuda [Re: AndyF] #2677739
07/15/19 06:32 PM
07/15/19 06:32 PM
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Houston,Tx.
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Lee446 Offline OP
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Andy, I appreciate it, but I can get a Hellwig or Addco w/free shipping for $200. That Hotchkiss is almost twice that, and for my needs, the cheaper brands will do. I also have your book, but it got packed up with the rest of my library, for a coming soon move, and I don't know which box it is in(I have LOTS of books!). I still could use some advice on what diameter would be best, and besides weight savings, is there any real advantage to the hollow bars?

Re: Swaybar choices for Barracuda [Re: Lee446] #2677764
07/15/19 07:40 PM
07/15/19 07:40 PM
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Warren, MI
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Jerry Offline
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the weight savings is key to the hollow bars. an 1 1/4 steel bar gets really heavy on the very front of the car, especially when trying to get 50/50 balance


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Re: Swaybar choices for Barracuda [Re: Lee446] #2677800
07/15/19 09:58 PM
07/15/19 09:58 PM
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Charleston SC
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Fishstix Offline
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I did the Hellwig bars front and rear. Happy with the results.

Re: Swaybar choices for Barracuda [Re: Fishstix] #2677805
07/15/19 10:22 PM
07/15/19 10:22 PM
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Houston,Tx.
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Lee446 Offline OP
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Fishstix, what size bars did you use?

Re: Swaybar choices for Barracuda [Re: Lee446] #2677822
07/16/19 12:27 AM
07/16/19 12:27 AM
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Charleston SC
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Fishstix Offline
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1 1/4(55904) and 7/8(6908) front, again, big improvement. Oddly enough, the front came without one poly bushing, was offered one, but didn't want to wait on shipping and bought one local.

Re: Swaybar choices for Barracuda [Re: Lee446] #2677900
07/16/19 11:44 AM
07/16/19 11:44 AM
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Keep in mind that a 1.25" hollow bar will have a rate similar to a 1.125" solid bar. The difference in wall thickness of the hollow bar is why they have to go to larger diameter to maintain rates vs the solid bar. A 1.25" solid bar produces more rate than a 1.25" hollow bar.

If you not concerned about a slight weight penalty or achieving ultimate performance, than go with a simple, and less expensive, 1.125" solid unit that is widely available for reasonable cost.

Re: Swaybar choices for Barracuda [Re: TC@HP2] #2677943
07/16/19 02:17 PM
07/16/19 02:17 PM
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Houston,Tx.
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Lee446 Offline OP
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I can get the Hellwig hollow for the same price as the solid 1-1/8 bars, so that is what I will go with. Thanks for all the help!

Re: Swaybar choices for Barracuda [Re: Lee446] #2678408
07/17/19 06:58 PM
07/17/19 06:58 PM
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AndyF Offline
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I used the Hellwig 1 1/4 tube type anti-sway bar on my Duster. Those are excellent bars and you'll be happy with it. If the car has no bar on it right now then it will be a very dramatic difference.

I built my own anti-sway bar from 1 1/4 chrome moly tubing 30 years ago for my Coronet. Back in those days nobody sold tubular anti-sway bars so I was the king of jungle. Sadly, everyone else caught up to me and I haven't moved the car forward much since then.

Re: Swaybar choices for Barracuda [Re: AndyF] #2680420
07/23/19 11:02 AM
07/23/19 11:02 AM
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Houston,Tx.
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Lee446 Offline OP
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Fedex delivered my Bar yesterday evening and I went out into the shop to install it. It took me about 1-1/2 hours from start to finish, pretty easy. I got up this morning to take her for a ride, and man, what a difference! When I got the car, it wallowed just making a right turn from a dead stop. After rebuilding the front suspension, new, bigger torsion bars and KYB shocks, it was a big improvement, but it still had a bit more body lean than I liked. Adding the Hellwig 1-1/4 bar took care of that, it corners very flat, it is like driving a new car! Best $200 I have spent in a while. I just need to make sure I don't get into trouble while learning my new limits!

Re: Swaybar choices for Barracuda [Re: Lee446] #2680490
07/23/19 02:08 PM
07/23/19 02:08 PM
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NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch Offline
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Oh what a feeling! Happy for you!


Mopar Mitch "Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers! Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
Re: Swaybar choices for Barracuda [Re: Lee446] #2681466
07/26/19 01:12 AM
07/26/19 01:12 AM
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Lethbridge, AB, Canada
dangina Offline
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Originally Posted by Lee446
F Best $200 I have spent in a while.


hate to be that guy but:
https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16960

and on holidays they stack thier discounts...I bought both front and rear from this place for under $280

Last edited by dangina; 07/26/19 01:12 AM.
Re: Swaybar choices for Barracuda [Re: dangina] #2681535
07/26/19 10:48 AM
07/26/19 10:48 AM
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Houston,Tx.
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Lee446 Offline OP
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I tried ordering from them and they said 4-8 weeks delivery from the manufacturer! I got mine in 4 days.







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