To sway or not to sway? Options

[1bad914]

Do I install the rear sway bar or not. Car is a 1974 street driven 340 hp SBC conversion, I have the front front bar installed and have the rear that I could transfer from the parts car, but I have heard good and bad. How about some real world advice.

[ArtechnikA]

to amplify a little, it depends a lot on driving technique and preference.

those that like a rear bar -tend- to have fairly stiff front bars for good roll control and relatively soft rear springs to match the relatively soft front torsion bars. soft springing improves ride comfort and quality on the street or very bumpy tracks.

stiff front bar and soft rear springs leads to understeer.

if you have the power *and aren't afraid to use it* you can steer the back of the car with the throttle and get it to rotate. underpowered cars (such as my stock /6) can't break the rear tires free at will. drivers without a LOT of experience driving at the limit may feel uncomfortable overpowering the rear traction to get the car to turn.

the rear bar provides a way to balance the handling without going really stiff on rear springs or depending on power.

experienced drivers with lots of power are comfortable steering with the throttle. cars with less power don't have that option even if the driver is experienced and comfortable.

so lots of drivers go through a progression. at some point, when you have the power available and aren't afraid to apex early and use the throttle to rotate the car, the rear bar will probably be slowing you down, especially with an open diff.