Torsion Bars: Sway-Away vs. PST

[motorgoguy]

Hi Guys,

I am new to the sight and I am looking for some insight on torsion bars. I have a Road Runner and I am looking to replace the torsion bars with a more performance handling style bar. I have taken an interest to the PST's bars as the price is right. But I do notice that they use the same style of torsion bar with a 1.03 diameter as Sway Away and the clocking being flat - falt. Vs the traditional flat-point. Has any one here used the Sway- Away bars and have you had any issues. Which one should I go with ?

Thanks

 

[motorgoguy]

Any thoughts on this one?

 

[5.7 hemi]

I have a set of new pst 1.03 bars, and I'm not gonna use them cause my engine combo isn't a bb so If your interested send me a pm.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

I made another post regarding different torsion bar suppliers, so search for that, but from what I've learned, PST bars are clocked funny on the hex ends and you may run into some installation or removal troubles. I recommend either the Mopar Performance bars through Mancini Racing (although they only go up to 0.96), or go with Firm Feel or Hotchkis.

 

[Propwash]

I made another post regarding different torsion bar suppliers, so search for that, but from what I've learned, PST bars are clocked funny on the hex ends and you may run into some installation or removal troubles. I recommend either the Mopar Performance bars through Mancini Racing (although they only go up to 0.96), or go with Firm Feel or Hotchkis.

Glad you brought that up. Here's a thread catching some of the talk on the PST Bars. There's a similar thread over at Moparts. Lots of folks having issues.

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?t=31285

I'm removing the PST 1.03'' bars from my roadrunner this weekend and installing the Firm Feel 1" bars....Firm Feel was a super company to deal with.

Good luck

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

Here's the link from the other post I started previously:
http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?t=24159

My initial text is below. Go to link to see the 26 replies.

I have a '68 Satellite, currently a 360 motor, building a 451, 99% street machine, going for best street handling.

Last year while upgrading to new Eddy IAS shocks all around, Magnum Force drop spindles, new Hotchkis rear leafs and shackles, new stock strut rods, Hotchkis UCA, boxed LCA's, and Hotchkis front sway bar, I upgraded my torsion bars in my '68 Satellite from the stock .088" to new .092" from Mancini. They are OK, but I wish they were a little firmer. Now I have a new motor in the works to replace my 360 - a 451 stroker. Given that I think my 360 would benefit in handling from the next size up - .096" torsion bars, do you think that with the 451 I should go with 1.00" torsion bars or are the .096" bars good enough?

One reason I ask is that currently it feels like my car has some understeer (possibly from drop spindles and front sway bar?) and I know that too big torsion bars can also cause some understeer. The caster was dialed in at +4 by the alignment shop.

The other reason, is that Mancini doesn't carry any larger than .096.

Do you have an opinion on where to source the torsion bars from for ease of install and/or performance? I've listed below what I've learned on the forums regarding several suppliers. Feel free to chime in if I have some wrong info.


Mancini - largest size offered is .096"

Global West - love my subframe connectors, but I don't see torsion bars on their website

Just Suspension - offers 1.00" bars, have heard good things

Hotchkis - offers 1.03" bars, have heard good things, but may be a bit stiff for my car and with the drop spindles and beefy Hotchkis sway bar?

Firm Feel - offers 1.00" bars. Have read from several forum members that they had trouble during installation due to longer hex heads on bar ends.

PST - Have read from several forum members that difference in hex end clocking compared to stock (which is ~ 30 deg) caused installation problems

Right now I'm leaning towards either Just Suspension 1.00" , Hotchkis 1.03" or the .096" from Mancini. What say all of you?

 

[Propwash]

Good info! Like mentioned, I went Firm Feel. I'll let you know how they turned out. The Hotchkis will "possibly" drop your car, they indicate that on their website. I sold a set of Just suspension 1" pro touring bars a couple months ago. Never did install them. The customer service was pretty poor when I had issues getting them to my door.

 

[motorgoguy]

Thanks for all the in put guys. But has anyone ever used sway aways bars ? I do see that PST mentions on their that the bars may lower the cars as well. Does anyone know what the clocking on the Hotchkis bar are? I guess I may have to check out there sight. This is my first time working on/owning a Muscle Car era mopar.

 

[Kern Dog]

"Sway Away"?
I've never heard of them. They may build good stuff, but that is not a familiar enough name to have any feedback. Thats the trouble with 'start-up" companies....The reputation serves as a sales tool. If you have no reputation, nobody knows about you.

 

[68sportsatelliteragtop]

I've got the FirmFeel 1" torsion bars in my 67 Belv w/ 383 and Addco 1-1/8" front and 7/8" rear sway bars. No issues, car handles well, sits were I want it. On the 68 Satellite vert w/ 383, I went with the PST set, 1.03", and although they were indexed differently, no issues with installation or ride height adjustment. No sway bars yet, but I will add at least a front bar when I put it back together after pulling the drivetrain and stripping the engine compartment for paint.

 

[451Coronet]

Just put on a set of PSTs 1.03" bars on my '69 Coronet, installation was no prob and a customer service rep even called my cell to let me know that their bars will lower the front end. Haven't driven it yet (haven't put the engine back in yet) but those bars with some new HD leafs from Springs N Things, my Coronet has a nice stance...low with a slight rake

 

[68sportsatelliteragtop]

Just put on a set of PSTs 1.03" bars on my '69 Coronet, installation was no prob and a customer service rep even called my cell to let me know that their bars will lower the front end. Haven't driven it yet (haven't put the engine back in yet) but those bars with some new HD leafs from Springs N Things, my Coronet has a nice stance...low with a slight rake

Your front ride height is adjusted w/ the adjuster in the middle of the LCA. Until you get the weight of the engine, trans and other components like radiator installed, you really won't know were the front end will be unless it is already sitting on the LCA rubber stops. That is not were you will be running it. I also used the ESPO springs and things HD rear leafs and the car sits nice. I plan on a set for my Satellite when I get to it so I can get rid of the air shocks. Heres a pic of how the Belvedere sits.

 

[Jim Bob The Dancing Bear]

PST did return my money for the 1.03 bars I had issues with. I ended up with Firm Feel bars.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...t=a.10150860804239027.521544.507349026&type=3

Check out the pics and stuff for the bars. PST stated that they work for most people or that most people don't complain to them or return them.

Based on my experience I would suggest Firm Feel or Mopar Performance. I want to suggest Hotchkis also since the rest of the stuff I have gotten from them has been top notch. I believe the hex's on the bars need to be clocked and I don’t think the Hotchkis bars are. I talked to Dick at Firm Feel when I had issues and ordered their bars. He has been building performance suspension parts for these cars for years and has a good reputation for a reason. Quality stuff.