Swaybar rates and how to figure (from old site)

[chicane67]

Author Comment
68LS1
Registered User
Posts: 148
(8/12/04 11:56 am)
Reply Sway bar rates....how do you figure it?
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What is the proper way to figure out the required sway bar rate? Is this a mathmatical deal or simply knowledge. I am running 500lbs springs in Alston adjustable coil overs up front. The LS1 and T56 weight around 700lbs. The subframe is from Scotts, not the factory piece. What should the rate be? Obviously the sway bar arm length (I'm talking about a swaybar like those by Speeedway Engineering) has a serious effect on the sway bar rate, but the sway bar size also affects the rate. Is the arm length determined more so by packaging needs or the spring rate you are looking for.

Hopefully that makes a little sense.



Thanks guys, Noel.
You can't stop here, this is bat country!

chicane67
Registered User
Posts: 215
(8/12/04 9:18 pm)
Reply | Edit Re: Sway bar rates....how do you figure it?
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R = (pi)(G)(d^4) / 50 (b^2)(L)

R = rate in pounds per inch
pi = 3.14
G = modulus of material (roughly 11,500,000)
d = diameter of bar
50 = constant
b = length of bar arm measured from center to center
L = length


If you give us some more information, I could probably get you in the ball park.

68LS1
Registered User
Posts: 149
(8/12/04 10:09 pm)
Reply What do you need?
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Holy cr@p. Ok Chicane, what other kind of info do I need to supply? I would certainly appreciate the help.

Thanks, Noel
You can't stop here, this is bat country!

chicane67
Registered User
Posts: 220
(8/12/04 11:02 pm)
Reply | Edit Re: What do you need?
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As your attorney, I advise you to rent a very fast car with no top.........

I would also like to know the shock valving rates for your shocks. Next I will need your rear spring rate and then I will need to know any other modification you have done to your chassis.....specifically any weight that you may have mooved around.....battery in the trunk, addition of roll bar...etc.

BTW, I think you a little too optimistic about the weight of your Ls1 and T-56 combination.......

But fill me in.

68LS1
Registered User
Posts: 150
(8/13/04 12:13 am)
Reply Re: What do you need?
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AAAhhhhh I see we have another Fear and Loathing fan.

....we'll need some Acapulco shirts, a tape recorder for special tapes, and of course, we'll need the cocaine....and we must arm ourselves, to the teeth. hahahahahahaha

Anyway, I will have to do some investigating when I get home. I'm offshore right now and will be for another 2 weeks. I really appreciate you input Chicane. How optimistic do you think I'm being on the weight of the LS1/T56?

Chill, Noel.
You can't stop here, this is bat country!