Vega Sway Bars

[wootz]

What size sway bars would have come on a 1973 Vega GT Hatch?

I have a front sway bar, but the rear sway bar is missing. The front bar measures 7/8" in diameter and I was wondering what size the matching rear bar would be.

[cjbiagi]

That's a fairly small front bar and the rear is almost always smaller. My guess would be a 5/8", maybe 3/4" at the most. You should really consider getting at least a 1 1/16" or 1 1/8" front bar. A lot of V8 Monza's had the 1 1/16" one and some other models had the 1 1/8" version.

[bugdewde]

Just calipered mine, what appears to be a stock '72 Vega GT Hatch suspension......
front is 0.88" (7/8 )
rear is 0.74" (3/4)

[NixVegaGT]

I got 1 1/4" front and 1" rear from Addco a while back. I haven't run mine yet. I hope they will work well. One factor to consider is weight. The 1 1/4" swaybar weighs a crap load! I'm betting around 20 lbs.

Thanks for the actual dims, Dwight.

[wootz]

Thanks for the measurements they helped out a lot.

I'm thinking my new plan of action will be to ditch my front bar and try to locate some of the larger bars. How does this combo sound?

Addco 710 front 1 1/8 inch
Addco 984 rear 7/8 inch

Or would the larger 1" rear bar be better? Anyone have the part number for the 1 1/4" Addco made for the Cosworths? Or know if they are still available?

[cjbiagi]

I would go with the 7/8". Going too big in the rear will end up making the car oversteer (fishtail) which is a lot more dangerous than one that understeers. With those two bars the car should corner very flat.

[cosvega76]

I have the Addco 1" front and rear bars on my Vega. When I was autocrossing the car, oversteer was not a problem. With that heavy, iron V8 over the front wheels, it still had a tendency to understeer when pushed hard.

Of course, the nice thing about that is just lifting off the throttle would let the front tires grip. The rear end coming around with oversteer is another problem altogether.

Chuck

[cammerjeff]

I have a couple of extra 1" or 1 1/8" (I would have to measure them to be shure) front sway bars, sorry no rears, $10.00 plus shipping if you are interested.
I run a 1 1/4" front & 7/8" rear on my 231 V-6 powered 78 wagon, and I thik it is a nice combo.

[wootz]

Jeff, definitely interested in a bar if it is 1 1/8" and in decent shape. I sent you a PM with my info...

-Mike