Rear sway and roll help.

[fmontez1]

I have a 68 coronet 500 that I'm working on. I put bigger tires in the back, and now I get a little inner fender rub on harder turns.

I'm about to start working on stiffening up the rear end. The front end was recently freshened up when I got the disc conversion done, and I already have a sway bar in the front where I do not in the back.

To that end, I'm going to buy some Suspension components, and I was wondering which you all thought would make more difference first.

The anti sway bar, or the XHD springs?
I was thinking of this Hotchkis Setup for the rear sway bar, and I was gonna get these Springs from Mancini to try and bring the rear uip a little bit, and also because my springs feel really saggy and soft in the back.

What about these Hotchkis Geometry correct springs? Is it really that big a difference for the money? Anybody on here use those?

The car will be driven in the street, and occasionally the strip. It only has a 318, but eventually I will be popping a crate motor in there, so I don't mind buying the bigger rear end stuff now.

Which will give me more bang for my buck? What about shocks, what do you guys recommend? I don't want air shocks in the back. I want to address ride height with springs and let the shocks do only what they're supposed to. I don't mind a stiff ride, this car isn't going to be built for comfort.

Any tips about either install;ation would also be appreciated. I have a good idea how to do it, I'm sure I can get through it, I know I've done it before at one stage or another.

 

[AMX364]

Springs first, then push car around the corners to see if rear sway bar is needed. When I went to SS springs after the first autocross race I HAD to disconnect the rear sway bar, it had become dangerous to drive with the rear end coming around.

 

[Cranky]

If you get the rear too stiff, you can induce over steer. My 71 340 Cuda was probably the most balanced American car I ever owned. It came from the factory with front and rear bars and stock springs. I lowered the car and installed better shocks, tires and wider wider wheels. It really surprised me. Lots of people have their own ideas on how to make a car handle and there's lots of info on the net about set ups etc. I like to go with less spring but with bigger bars because the car rides smooth and yet will still go around corners well. If you're not careful, you'll end up with a ride like a 1 ton truck.

 

[Grabinov911]

"Less spring bigger bars". Can't describe it any better than that! From my experience lowering the car by an inch or 1.5 inches makes a big difference. I personally would keep your springs and try the Firm Feel rear bar and spring mounts and shackles. Then go from there. Opinions will vary huh!

 

[tallhair]

Excellent questions/thread montez

 

[fmontez1]

Thanks everybody. I'm about ready to spend some money today,. its the 30th, and payday!

I don't want to drop the car at all. Not at all. Stock height for the bare minimum. I'll sacrifice a bit of the handling. I just though maybe the sway bar would keep the body from rolling right and touching the inner fender to with my tires. I understand about the rear being too stiff and inducing oversteer, that does sound a bit dangerous for street cruising, but for going in a straight line, it's better, yes?

The firm feel rear sway bar is $375.

From the sound of it, I guess common sense and your advice is saying to go stock springs, but new, and get some better shocks, then later get a sway bar if it still needs it. I just think stock height is really low in the back, and I intend on having passengers too. I don't mind a little rake, in fact I prefer it.

I don't want air shocks anymore, what do you guys use for shocks? What is considered a stock replacement shock in a b body?

My main issue is with the inner fender rubbing on my big ole rear wheels, I just got them and I want to make them work. Should I roll the inner lip?

I really do appreciate all the info and feedback, I want to get this thing running smoooothly, and it's getting really really close.

 

[AMX364]

Sorry, semi misread what the real problem was.
FACT: bought tires too big and slight rub on inside.
1. spacer to move tire closer to outside. cheapist.
2. change rear tire size.
3. change rear rim offset. buy or trade.
4. change rear end width. not so nice on price.
5. tub rear of car.
Best answer? unknown, do not know your wants or direction for car. BUT YOU do, think and figure out what you want done.
Myself have bought rims and tires only to find that the offset on the factory rims would not work on my car. Put the rims on a different car is what I did at that time and learned a lesson. Did not say that I liked that lesson, just that I learned it. Others have done the same.

 

[fmontez1]

No problem. appreciate the feedback.

Ok so the rims and tires are brand new. Not going to change those.

Thing is, if the car doesn't roll, it doesn't rub. I will be taking this thing on the freeway, so yeah I am avoiding going TOO stiff in the back, but when I'm just cruising around, the car is fine. Its when I have a couple of passengers, or when I take a LEFT turn aggressively, that the tires rub. I'm not too worried about least expensive option, that's why I was looking to go XHD springs, I thought it would raise the rear enough to eliminate my problem. Then some stock style, non air shocks to help dampen the sway. If its still bad, then a sway bar will be going in.

You guys are right though, opinions vary greatly. I listened to advice on here about the rear tire size, and now am starting to regret it. What some people consider a good fit, doesn't always work for me, but I've already spent the money on wheels and tires, so I really want to work with what I have already.

Again, much appreciated. I do feel like I made a mistake going with the 10" rear wheels. Also, knowing what I know now, I would have gone with something like a 275 rather than the 295's

My car had 295's before, and they were fine. these new ones just rub a little.

Damnit. Spending money in the wrong places. Hind sight is 20/20.

 

[69RRGTX]

For my 2 cents, put the XHD rear spings on it with a good shock, and a sway bar. I like to push my luck with wheel / tire combos, with a Hotchkis sway bar my GTX dosen't rub a thing, before I added it it would rarely. With that combo, it handles nicely and still rides pretty good.