Front Sway Bar Installation, On 1970 w/o factory bar Options

[Dave-O]

Hi all,
I'm looking to install a front sway bar on my 70'. After going through all the effort to track one down and install it i would much rather end up with a 19mm bar rather than the stock 17mm.

First question: Does anyone have a 19mm bar lying around?

Second question: What 911's came with a stock 19mm through the body front bar? (this information would make it much easier to track down a used bar)

Third question: If i am unable to find a 19mm bar, does anyone have a stock bar that they'd be willing to part with real cheap? (sorry, i'm a poor college student who will probably be addicted to autocross within the next week (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rocking nana.gif) )

On a side note, I'm going to my first autocross this weekend: the MOWOG event in St. Cloud MN. Any members attending? It would be nice to have someone with experience to give me some pointers. It should be fun to get out there in my car with no sway bars and cheap street tires (IMG:style_emoticons/default/MDB2.gif).

Thanks

David

[dmenche914]

What I have found is front sway bars are good, rear bars are not.

be sure to have the bar installed with the correct metal triangles on the backside of the mounting hole for support. Sometimes people use U shaped supports, they are easy to install, but can allow the swaybar to rip the metal on your car! (I have seen this happen) To correctly install the sway bar, the gas tank need be pulled, to allow install of these triangle supports. When the tank is out, it is a good time to fix the fresh air blower if it is broke, often they get clogged with leaves. If you remove the blower (gas tank must be out for this) besure to add a screen under the intake louvers on the cowl, between the blower and the louvers. Early cars had no screen, later cars had a course screen (maybe 1/4 inch holes) get some aluminum window bug screen from the hardware store (not nylon screen, you want it to last forever) and place it under the louvers. This will keep leaves out of the fan. the later stock screen holes are too big, and still allow bugs, and pine needles to get in and clog the fan.

Good luck with your project.

dave

PS 150 lbs rear springs cut for lowering (of adjustable spring perch) and the front sway bar will make the 914 handle great i used 195 50 AVS tires, it was really fun on curves. You can also upgrade the swaybar pretty easy once the mounts are inplace, so if on a budget go with what you got. all you should need is the bigger bar, and correct bushings to upgrade later. Just the stock bar can make a big handling difference. you need not spend a ton of mulla to make the car handle like on rails. If in the SF area, go to Custom Alignment in Mt. View to get alignment done, and ride hieght set, they do a very good job and know 914's very well. Highly recommended.