ridetech vs Detroit speed front sway bar

[SD455]

Comparing these two bars, both appear to be 1 3/8", but have radically different rates of 440 for the ridetech and 816 for the Detroit speed? Are they using a different method to measure, or is it possible the rate is that different?

I like the Delrin lines bushing and spherical ends on the ride tech piece, but have ridden in a car with the Detroit speed part and it felt just about right.

https://www.ridetech.com/product/1964-1967-gm-a-body-front-musclebar/

https://www.detroitspeed.com/1964-72-abody-front-suspension-components/front-sway-bar-kit-1970-81-camaro-firebird-1964-72-a-body-1-3-8-031402

Feedback would be appreciated!

[dhutton]

I think the DSE bar is solid and the Ridetech bar is hollow, hence the different rates.

Don

[SD455]

I think the DSE bar is solid and the Ridetech bar is hollow, hence the different rates.

Don

Thanks you! They are both hollow!

[Jk918]

For what its worth Suspension geek, seems to recommend the DSE bar on his Suspension package recommendations especially for 1st generation.

[79T/Aman]

I would like to know the testing procedure that yields those kinds of number.

[SD455]

I'm still trying to track down the right info. I spoke to tech at both ride tech and DSE today.

Both bars are hollow, the Ridetech bar uses tubing with .250 wall thickness and has a 440 LB rating, the DSE bar uses .188 wall thickness and has an 816LB rating.

For my particular use, I like the ride tech bar better for the pivot balls and the style of bushings used. I have used that DSE bar in the past and it did work well, but how can they have such a wildly different rating using very similar material diameter and thickness? is the difference in bushing materials and style responsible for the change or are there more than one way to measure rate on these bars?

Links to both=

https://www.detroitspeed.com/products/suspension_and_chassis/sway_bars/parts/031402DS

https://www.ridetech.com/product/1964-1967-gm-a-body-front-musclebar/

[stab6902]

The sway bar rate should be in lb/in (pounds per inch). You can use this calculator to calculate the rate: https://www.addco.net/how-swaybars-work/

The Ridetech bar has to be stiffer since it's the same OD with thicker wall thickness and (presumably) has a very similar width and arm length.

The endlinks on the Ridetech bar are just Moog Problem Solvers; they're cheap and readily available in just about any length you want, so I wouldn't let that sway (no pun intended) your decision too much: https://www.amazon.com/Moog-K700532-Stabilizer-Bar-Link/dp/B00CE3P9D4

You should be thinking about what rear sway bar you'll be using, the weight distribution of your car, tire sizes, spring rates, etc when selecting the proper front sway bar rate.

[SD455]

The sway bar rate should be in lb/in (pounds per inch). You can use this calculator to calculate the rate: https://www.addco.net/how-swaybars-work/

The Ridetech bar has to be stiffer since it's the same OD with thicker wall thickness and (presumably) has a very similar width and arm length.

The endlinks on the Ridetech bar are just Moog Problem Solvers; they're cheap and readily available in just about any length you want, so I wouldn't let that sway (no pun intended) your decision too much: https://www.amazon.com/Moog-K700532-Stabilizer-Bar-Link/dp/B00CE3P9D4

You should be thinking about what rear sway bar you'll be using, the weight distribution of your car, tire sizes, spring rates, etc when selecting the proper front sway bar rate.

Thanks for the link to the calculator, that is a handy tool! I will see if I can get the dimensions and make my own calculation.

I did not realize they were using the Moog end link, but I do like the style of bar mounty ride tech is using better than the traditional poly.

[Rod]

funny to see this thread back up... I have used the DSE bar for more the 16 years mainly because it has the highest twist rate .. at one time dse had a 1300lb rate on it but back then i measured it using a 12 ton hand press and a few gauges i don't have some of that gear anymore since we moved across the country to start the shop it was more around 800-900 lb, the new ridetech bar seams to be close in feel on the car, even though they say 440 on the website, so i called my tech guy at ridetech and he says its right at 800 ..... lets keep talking

[79T/Aman]

RT advertises the bar at 440# I ran the numbers in a calculator and came up with 447# and somehow the real number is almost double!!
but won't advertise that miracle!?

[Josh@Ridetech]

RT advertises the bar at 440# I ran the numbers in a calculator and came up with 447# and somehow the real number is almost double!!
but won't advertise that miracle!?

No miracles hidden here, look under the specs :cheers: : https://www.ridetech.com/product/1967-1969-camaro-front-swaybar/

Also no advertising of 440lbs (unless you're finding previous design info somewhere).

[79T/Aman]

No miracles hidden here, look under the specs :cheers: : https://www.ridetech.com/product/1967-1969-camaro-front-swaybar/

Also no advertising of 440lbs (unless you're finding previous design info somewhere).

Nice bate and swish, the OP asked about A-body/2nd gen front bar, even posted a link.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Nice bate and swish, the OP asked about A-body/2nd gen front bar, even posted a link.

Lol, I think most people on here know me well enough that I'm not one to "bait and switch" anyone. Heaven forbid that I read the post wrong... That bar is 430lbs.

[SD455]

funny to see this thread back up... I have used the DSE bar for more the 16 years mainly because it has the highest twist rate .. at one time dse had a 1300lb rate on it but back then i measured it using a 12 ton hand press and a few gauges i don't have some of that gear anymore since we moved across the country to start the shop it was more around 800-900 lb, the new ridetech bar seams to be close in feel on the car, even though they say 440 on the website, so i called my tech guy at ridetech and he says its right at 800 ..... lets keep talking

Thank you this is great info!

[SD455]

Lol, I think most people on here know me well enough that I'm not one to "bait and switch" anyone. Heaven forbid that I read the post wrong... That bar is 430lbs.

Thanks Josh, I am still wondering why they can be both almost the same build specs with wildly different ratings? Are you saying the #440 rating is confirmed correct for the A/F body bar?

Thank you.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Thanks Josh, I am still wondering why they can be both almost the same build specs with wildly different ratings? Are you saying the #440 rating is confirmed correct for the A/F body bar?

Thank you.

No problem! That’s correct. They are similar dimensionally, however, we changed the tubing to a solid bar on the 1st gen platform which creates the higher rate on those.