Rear Sway Bar??

General chat about the car goes in here.
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bonsaiwino
Posts: 228
Joined: Sat Jul 13, 2013 8:10 am
Your car is a: 1979 Spider

Rear Sway Bar??

Post by bonsaiwino »

Forgot to ask if I should consider a REAR sway bar??? Thanks again, Don
burgandy81
Posts: 371
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:38 pm
Your car is a: 1981 FIAT Spider 2000
Location: Victoria, BC

Re: Rear Sway Bar??

Post by burgandy81 »

The debate rages.

I have just put my rear sway bar back on after having it off for a year.

my front bar is upgraded to the larger 25mm unit. I bought both bars thinking that reducing body roll on both ends at same time was a good idea. My car also has aftermarket springs (IAP reds) and a set of used Koni yellows.

I took the bar off after receiving some advice from a couple of old time FIAT and Alfa guys I know. They were insistent that the rear bar introduced over steer and I would be much happier without it. I took it off. I was not much happier without it and have since realized that both of my friends are better mechanics than drivers.

Over the last while I have tried to research any cars online that are used in competition or have been set up for driving by sporting enthusiasts. Most seem to have rear bars.

My thinking (this year) is that several of rally cars I have seen have the rear installed. My preferred driving is spirited mountain roads with the occasionally TSD rally thrown in. So the bar is back for this year.

If I was really motivated, I would go for a drive, come home, remove the bar and do the same drive again. Once the weather clears and it is driving season again I am rarely that motivated!

Maybe some of the others with autocross or race experience can chime in?
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azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

Re: Rear Sway Bar??

Post by azruss »

I just installed a rear sway bar 1000 miles ago. I wanted to get rid of the push in the corners. It appears to do just that. I havent had the opportunity to really run though the corners hard, but have put it in a position to expect the normal push, which just isnt there.
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RoyBatty
Posts: 852
Joined: Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:44 pm
Your car is a: 1975 124 Spider - 1971 124 Sport Coupe
Location: Locust Grove, VA

Re: Rear Sway Bar??

Post by RoyBatty »

I put on the Addco rear bar from Allisons more than a year ago.
I have no regrets. It helps the car to corner in the manner I prefer. It took it from understeer, to a more neutral feel, with the ability to swing the rear around in tight turns with power should I choose to do so.
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