Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension Sway Bars

Are they worth the 100 or so bucks? Would it be something that a couple friends with not-so-much knowledge of cars could put in over a weekend (or day)?

If worth it, is there a preference over one or another?

Thank you!

Sway bars will show a definate improvement in handling on almost any car. The guideline is the thicker the better, but there's a trade off. I noticed a difference swapping out my rear sway bar with a 24mm Aussie bar a few weeks ago. The trade off for me is the stock brackets are too weak to support a bar so heavy duty, so I had upgraded brackets put on.
The bars aren't hard to install. I did mine by myself and it took me about 2hours. I've never done one before, just took my time and read over a how-to a few times before attempting.
What model of car do you have? I have a 19mm stock svt bar I'm looking to sell for cheap.

Tim
'00 SVT

Tim, SVT bars are 18mm.

95-97 SE Contours had the 19mm bar.

If you are driving a Zetec or one with a 16mm stock bar this would be a great upgrade.

Doh! :p

Tim
'00 SVT

Hey cool! Thanks for answering!

I have a '99 SVT ... so I guess I would be looking for the 22mm or the 24mm that you suggested. One problem, I could only find the 22mm on the internet. Would there be a big difference in the 22 vs. the 24? Where would I be able to get the 24mm?

Thanks a bunch!

OK, the 22mm bar is reported to be more like 20.8mm, if it's the one from BAT, or the BAT unit sold by SP Motorsports. It's still an improvement, but the tech geeks around here say that there's no way to "treat" a piece of steel to make it stiffer. I'm inclined to believe them, no matter what the guy at BAT says.

The 24mm bar is AKA the "Aussie" bar. If I recall correctly (IIRC), it is hollow and lightweight, and is of a stiffness equivalent to a true 22mm bar. It is available from Terry Haines Motorsports (THM), aka, Terry Haines. Search for him around here and shoot him a PM. You will want (and I believe he provides) upgraded backing plates to use this bar. Some say it doesn't matter which bar you get, the backing plates are a good idea.

I have the now defunct 21mm bar made by Progress Tech which was distributed by South County Autosports. This is different the the BAT bar.

Bar is supposedly strengthened to that of a 22mm bar. My opinion, I don't think this stresses the stock brackets or bracket mounting plate as much as the Aussie hollow 24mm bar does. Yes the 24mm bar weighs less. I just uninstalled a Aussie bar from a friends car last week, he was trading the car in and it weighs less than the stock 18mm bar.
To date both bars have ripped the mounting plates off the subframe from a few cars on this site but I have only heard one case of the 21/22mm bar doing it. I drive my card hard around corners and the worst problem I have encountered is bent brackets. I upgraded to some 21mm ProThane bushings/Type A brackets and for over a month I have had no issues.

Its all a matter of opinion, I think the 21mm bar is the way to go for ease of install and lack of bracket/subframe problems others will say Aussie hollow 24mm bar.

Both are good and improve the handling.

Would the svt bar fit a 96 GL, how much u selling it for e-mail=rjev2@yahoo.com

FWIW Department:

My [now-formerly installed] BAT bar broke the bolt on one side (passenger, I believe) after one autocross & several weeks streeting, before installing backing plates and 24-mm Aussie. Handling improvement with the BAT nominal 21-22-mm bar was definite, but not as pronounced as since my suspension change (see my thread on Koni kit). Considering general availability issues, if you're not looking for max performance, the BAT bar makes a very reasonable compromise. [[I'll be posting mine in classifieds today.]] You'll end up with a much more Euro-like ride in terms of sway and traction control. [I've driven German Mondeos, a major difference from GL's and SE's here!]
Hope that helps a bit.

So wait just a minute, these sway bars tear your car up? Like the bend metal and break things? Thats not cool?

Is there anything to prevent the sway bar from breaking you car?