Topic: Changing the sway bar

[lil goat]

I did too, it was just 1/4 drive, 3/8 would have made it so much easier but I couldn't find one anywhere I went. Easy to find on line, I am ordering a complete set.

[diamoney]

Isn't there a chance that the alignment will be affected by the sway bar change?

[snaponbob]

That's odd GM makes this kit that includes new end links. Just no separate part number:


Off Road Stabilizer Shaft
Lowers the ride height of the vehicle for maximum handling performance. Engineered and tested by GM Performance Parts. Increased diameter front and rear stabilizer bars with bushing and end links.

[noembed]http://www.gmaccessorieszone.com/Pontiac/2008/Solstice/Off%20Road%20Stabilizer%20Shaft/?tx_gmshopb2b_pi1[type]=gm[/noembed]

Better take a better look at the information on that link!!!!

1) That sway bar stuff is an upgrade from FE2, NOT FE3. "Front and Rear, For Use on Vehicles with Ride and Handling Suspension (FE2)" The ONLY upgrade bars for FE3 is to use GXP/Z0K bars.
2) An anti sway, stabilize bar, or anti roll bar, can not and WILL not lower a car. In our case, springs lower the car. On other vehicles offset spindles and other methods can be used. NEVER sway bar. 
3) The end links on ALL Kappa sway bars are the same part numbers, front or rear.

[snaponbob]

Isn't there a chance that the alignment will be affected by the sway bar change?

NO. Absolutely not.

[snaponbob]

Just ordered the parts! Now I just have to wait patiently for them to show up. 

WHAT parts did you order?

PM me if you have a chance, and if still have my cell number give me a call.

[lil goat]

Better take a better look at the information on that link!!!!

1) That sway bar stuff is an upgrade from FE2, NOT FE3. "Front and Rear, For Use on Vehicles with Ride and Handling Suspension (FE2)" The ONLY upgrade bars for FE3 is to use GXP/Z0K bars.
2) An anti sway, stabilize bar, or anti roll bar, can not and WILL not lower a car. In our case, springs lower the car. On other vehicles offset spindles and other methods can be used. NEVER sway bar. 
3) The end links on ALL Kappa sway bars are the same part numbers, front or rear.

Bob I know what the kit was for my point is they mention an end link upgrade. I have checked the dealer and they know of no such upgrade.  Dave from SS, (solstice-sport or saturn-sport) have said they will look into making us some.

Bob I want to upgrade the front bar bushings, can you verify they are 33 mm. The dealer didn't know, I read it some where but can't remember where.

[snaponbob]

Bob I know what the kit was for my point is they mention an end link upgrade. I have checked the dealer and they know of no such upgrade.  Dave from SS, (solstice-sport or saturn-sport) have said they will look into making us some.

Bob I want to upgrade the front bar bushings, can you verify they are 33 mm. The dealer didn't know, I read it some where but can't remember where.

The end links are the same. The only reason NOT to use the factory end links would be to install ball end links on adjustable rods. And they are NOISY !!!!! I have them on my solid front 32mm bar.

As for the front bar diameter, what good timing you have. I was JUST under the car to measure my FE3 bars to be sure what they are. The FE3 front bar is 33mm for sure. My REAR bar measure LESS than 27mm !!!!!!!!! It is right at 26mm and that makes NO sense. So, I ordered a ZOK rear bar just a few minutes ago!! STILL tuning the handling with the 450# springs.

[lil goat]

The ends on the Z0K bar are much larger and thicker than the stock, I did not mic them but they are close to the same except for weight, I am guessing the Z0K weights at least half again as much, maybe more. The stock one just feels like nothing compared to it. I love it more opinions of the Z0K and from a prepped car. I like mine, I find myself constantly trying to test it now.

[Uranium-238]

Goat, how long did it take for you to get the sway bar from GM parts direct? I'm hoping that all the parts will be here by the end of the week, that way I can make a beeline for a certain mountain road on Saturday to check things out.

[snaponbob]

I can make a beeline for a certain mountain road on Saturday to check things out.

Skyline Drive?!?!?!?!?!  

For those that don't know western Md., there IS a Skyline Dr. through the Cumberland Mountains.

[lil goat]

Skyline is an awesome road with 35 mph speed limit and Federal Police that love to write tickets, Rt 211 is much better! that's where were last weekend.

I ordered the Z0K on a Friday and got it on the next Friday (actually 2) Jonymac's is still in my garage. The bushings came in next day from Jegs.

[Uranium-238]

Just measured the rear sway bar on my car, it's about 26mm. "about" because the caliper read in thousandths of an inch, and I didn't do the conversion math all the way. Just did enough to know it's closer to 26mm than 27mm.

I'm tempted to pull one of the stock bushings off to get an internal diameter measurement off of it.

Goat, how well did the 27mm bushings fit on the new sway bar?

[lil goat]

They fit very nicely, and they are aftermarket 27mm, not GM. The Z0K bar is maybe larger I can't tell by looking at it but it sure is heavier.

[Uranium-238]

OK, the sway bar bushings showed up today. Went ahead and test fitted one on the sway bar. They are a little too big, there was some play. Gonna return them and try some 26mm ones.

[snaponbob]

OK, the sway bar bushings showed up today. Went ahead and test fitted one on the sway bar. They are a little too big, there was some play. Gonna return them and try some 26mm ones.

Bad news, dude. Jegs shows 25 and 27mm. No 26mm. Just do yourself a favor; keep the 27mm ones you have and get a GXP/Z0K bar !!!!! I have one coming for $114 !!!!!!!! Trust me, well spent money. You'll love the results.

[Uranium-238]

So, just use the 27mm ones, or the stockers?

Found some 26mm ones on Summit, but they're not greasable.

Still no word on when the sway bar will be arriving...

[lil goat]

27 mm fit fine on the Z0K, at least mine did. By the way the front ones are 1 5/16", or 33 mm I am ordering those tomorrow before I go over and help my son drop the tranny on the Goat. Slave cylinder blew, it is inside the tranny. Should be fun, at least we have access to a lift and tranny jack. I am SOOOOOOOOOO glad it didn't happen on 211.

[snaponbob]

So, just use the 27mm ones, or the stockers?

Found some 26mm ones on Summit, but they're not greasable.

Still no word on when the sway bar will be arriving...

Stay with the stock ones until the ZOK rear bar shows up. The poly bushing are not THAT big of a deal.

[Uranium-238]

I am SOOOOOOOOOO glad it didn't happen on 211.

That would have really sucked...

Had that happen on my old pickup once. Wasn't in the tranny, but was still a pain.

[snaponbob]

27 mm fit fine on the Z0K, at least mine did. By the way the front ones are 1 5/16", or 33 mm I am ordering those tomorrow before I go over and help my son drop the tranny on the Goat. Slave cylinder blew, it is inside the tranny. Should be fun, at least we have access to a lift and tranny jack. I am SOOOOOOOOOO glad it didn't happen on 211.

Does he have a GXP? If it is a 2007 or newer it should still be a warranty issue (unless lots of driveline mods have been done). The bell housing is a BIG job on a turbo Kappa.

[Uranium-238]

Stay with the stock ones until the ZOK rear bar shows up. The poly bushing are not THAT big of a deal.

Oh there was no way I was going to install them till the ZOK bar showed up. Hopefully they'll fit it fine, if not, they're $15 parts so I'd likely try and trim them to fit.

Oh, and Goat's son has Rhys Millen's old GTO. Doubt there's any warranty left on that... 

[snaponbob]

.

Oh, and Goat's son has Rhys Millen's old GTO. Doubt there's any warranty left on that... 

Geeeeeeeeee, ya think?

[lil goat]

It was not the race GTO, it was the street GTO, 2004 SEMA car for RMR, unfortunately they removed the twin turbo's before he bought it. Still has a 5.7 Z06 motor putting about 400 hp on the ground thanks to Mr. Wester, now it is mostly putting hydraulic fluid on the ground. Not like I have a life anyway, might as well fix his car tomorrow night. He just wanted to go to GM Nationals this week end, last year he took third in the GTO catagory.

[SeLFMaDE]

I'm no where near as knowledgeable as the rest of you concerning all the aforementioned parts and where they are on the car. Pics would be a big help, so if somebody does this upgrade please take a few pics so the rest of us can attempt to follow along and maybe do the same thing.

[snaponbob]

I'm no where near as knowledgeable as the rest of you concerning all the aforementioned parts and where they are on the car. Pics would be a big help, so if somebody does this upgrade please take a few pics so the rest of us can attempt to follow along and maybe do the same thing.

Not meaning to sound snippy, but if you have a jack and jack stands, (properly) jack up the car, place the car on the stands, and take a look under the car. You will see all four corners of the car and the suspension components. The sway bars are the round bars that go from the left front to right front, and the same on the rear. The bars have links to the corresponding lower control arms. If you get under the car and look around you will see a bunch of these pieces. A flashlight will help as you look deeper in the recesses of the underbody. It will be helpful as people post pictures because even for experienced "viewers", the pictures can be confusing sometimes. Trust me, you will know what I am trying to share with you as time goes by.