HY M8NC

Wierd question...can't find anything in the archives.

I am going to upgrade the swaybars on my '83. I have purchased an 18mm rear, and a 25.8mm front (both from the 944 turbo). My question is; are the brackets the same for all swaybar sizes, thereby using different bushings--or are the brackets from the 21mm front smaller than the brackets from the 25.8mm front.

My car came with no rear bar, but the one I bought has the "dog bone" links, and all of the bushings. I have access to a parts car for the eccentric bolts, and center brackets-but they are for a 14mm bar...will they work?

Ken

I'm not entirely sure about all your questions, but i think i can answer one. I believe that the front sway bar will fit fine because all the end of the sway bars are tapered to the same size. This makes all of them interchangable. If this is wrong I blame Dave because he's the one who told me. Good luck, and let us know how this turns out as this in my next upgrade. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Matt

If by brackets you mean the L shaped brackets that bolt to the "frame" rails, they'll work fine. There seem to be some slight differences in length, but it is not critical. The rear hardware will be fine too.

You will like the difference in handling -

Matt

Dave

[quote]Originally posted by Ken:
<strong>I'm not entirely sure about all your questions, but i think i can answer one. I believe that the front sway bar will fit fine because all the end of the sway bars are tapered to the same size. This makes all of them interchangable. If this is wrong I blame Dave because he's the one who told me. Good luck, and let us know how this turns out as this in my next upgrade. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

Close Ken! The brackets are all the same IIRC, but the bushings vary. For the ends of the front bar there are 2 bushing sizes, you will need the larger ones. The supports for the center of the bar will need bushings, appropriately sized. You would want new bushings anyway . The back is the same deal, the metal parts are fine, but the rubber is sized to fit the bar.

Magnus

[quote]Originally posted by Matt:
<strong>
You will like the difference in handling -

Matt</strong><hr></blockquote>

I second that. I just did a test drive after a swaybar upgrade on my '83. From 20mm front and no rear to 27mm front and 16mm rear. A very nice expereince!

//Magnus <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

FormulaOne10

I did a similar same installation on my 84. For the bushing that goes on the control arm, the fit is certainly tight. The 26.8mm bar I used seems as if it was meant to be tapered at each end to nearly the same size as my stock bar (23mm I think...but i'm really not sure). However, I had a hell of a time getting the bushing onto the bar. I would recommend *slightly and carefully* boring out the end bushing. Do it little by little until it fits. Also, be sure to use some silicone spray when pressing the bushing on - it makes the procedure much easier. As for the drop link bushings - they are a piece of cake (use silicone on these too, it just helps everything go a bit quicker). Everything should bolt right up. The rear will easily bolt right on as long as you have the mounting hardware already installed from a previous sway bar. Otherwise you have to intall the mounting hardware. The biggest thing is to make sure your front drop link bushings and rear bushings are all the proper size as they vary depending on the diameter of the bar. The end bushings are all the same for the early cars (and possibly for the later cars too, I not sure though). Let me know if you have any other questions.

dave120

I can't imagine how much of a difference you guys are feeling on the bar upgrades, especially the ones who had no rear bar at all. I felt a huge difference just going from my stock S2 27mm front and 16mm rear to the 30mm and 19mm 968 m030 ones...bang for the buck suspension upgrades can't be beat.

Paul C 944

I did the same upgrade,I just needed new ,correct size bushings.Other than that they bolted right on.(I had a rear sway)The improvement was awsome!!! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Ken

Darn, I was so close. Actually I just assumed that you were going to get new bushings with the sway bars.

Don't the 968 M030 bars from Paragon come with all the appropriate bushings? And will those bushings fit in the stock mounting points on an early car?

HY M8NC

o.k., so the rear bolted up just fine. I decided not to go "boy racer" and paint it pink or something--I'd be so embarrassed if someone saw it when I roll the car over.

The front is another story. Outer bushings are not a problem, but the inner bushings just don't fit in the brackets. Should I get larger brackets from a parts car-or are there custom bushings that will allow a 25.8mm in the early (20mm) bracket...and if so, where do I get them?

HY M8NC

Magnus, how did you accomplish the swap?

Skip

[quote]Originally posted by HY M8NC:
<strong>The front is another story. Outer bushings are not a problem, but the inner bushings just don't fit in the brackets. Should I get larger brackets from a parts car-or are there custom bushings that will allow a 25.8mm in the early (20mm) bracket...and if so, where do I get them?</strong><hr></blockquote>

From the site, regarding the use of <a href="http://www.smartcart.com/Paragon/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=944CUPSB" target="_blank">30mm stabilizers (968 M030)</a> on the earlier models:

[quote]<strong>Front kit fits all 944; 968 1985.5-95. 85.5-86 944 will also require a pair of part # 944.343.731.02 bushing holders.</strong><hr></blockquote>

From 87-on, bushing clamps were large enough to accomodate 25mm and higher stabilizers.

Good Luck!

Skip

[quote]Originally posted by Ken:
<strong>Don't the 968 M030 bars from Paragon come with all the appropriate bushings? And will those bushings fit in the stock mounting points on an early car?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes, and no - see my last

S

HY M8NC

thanks for the quick reply Skip,

So I assume I need these mounts for my early car-and they will fit. I'll order them up and let you know how it does.

Magnus

[quote]Originally posted by HY M8NC:
<strong>Magnus, how did you accomplish the swap?</strong><hr></blockquote>

I bought my front swaybar with inner bushings and clamps so it was an easy bolt on job. <a href="http://www.sanden.nu" target="_blank">Sandén</a> in Göteborg (in sweden that is) had all parts I needed and explained how the job was done. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

//Magnus