Sway bar tutorial

OleNatesOlds said
The aftermarket starts to get a little confusing with their different methods of mounting and providing clearance. It's interesting though.

(All in reference to my '69 here - sorry)...
Judging at least from Summit's site, it looks as though the Addco is bent inward more (than Helwig's at least) right before the ends, but mounts rather low on the arm, so this is necessary for clearance(?). The frame mounts look higher on the Addco and so doesn't require the kink in the middle to clear the k-member-to-rad-support bracket.

The frame mounts are a joke on the Addco. Best way to fix that is with the Energy conversion brackets/bushings 5135 and buy the appropriate sized bushing.

I really like the clearance provided by the Hotchkis setup - kind of a hybrid piece (as mentioned) that brings the bar inside the strut rod just slightly and mounts similar to the 73-76 bars, but geez - 1 1/2" diameter !? Are they really hardcore or something? I don't see any other diameters listed. Has anyone had a smaller bar made on request?

The sway bar is mounted further inward than the 67-72 wide style and Hotchkis and Firm Feel. So that decreases the affective rate of the sway bar so it needs to be thicker. Also Hotchkis stuff is high performance oriented side.

What bar(s) do the Energy brackets fit? Just stock? Because they look a lot like the FF, Helwig, and Hotchkis brackets but with smaller diameter bushings.

They fit a stock sway bar. But they will also fit an Addco sway bar to get a better mount. But you will have to put the right sized bushing in there. That Energy kit still is not as beefy at the FF, Helwig, and Hotckis brackets. But they will work and tons better than the Addco brackets or a smashed original bushing/bracket

Personally, I'm not looking to change the K-member or LCAs out, so aftermarket it is. I agree - Addco bracketry looks sucky. Ultimately, I will have rear facing calipers with 225/50-16 in front which means 5" backspacing (w/ factory bar at least). Perhaps that wouldn't put factory type brackets out completely as I have welder, some skill, and materials... Just looking to be very cost efficient yet effective in my case - which will be mostly street duty w/ slant 6 by the way.

The Hellwig sway bars are made with a kink in the arms to fit high backspace tires. There are pictures on FABO of this. I think FF's have room for high backspace too. Call and check.

5" backspace rims and a factory wide 67-72 may rub the sway bar. It will be close. The Addco sway bar I believe it wide like the factory and does not have the kink in the arms for tire clearance.