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RE: Bigger, Stiffer, More Fun

To: mgs@Autox.Team.Net
Subject: RE: Bigger, Stiffer, More Fun
From: "David Stecher" <DavidAndMichelleS@classic.msn.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 97 06:10:08 UT
Jerry,

I to added a 7/8" sway bar to my '73 BGT.  Found every thing that you said to 
be true.   DON'T  add the rear sway bar.  Ony causes problems on cars not 
designed to have them.  They were put on later modles because of changes to 
the suspension to meet headlight height requirements.  When they raised the 
car they found it to be quite top heavy and light on the rear end.  You do not 
have this problem with a BGT.

Dave 
Urbandale IA
'73 BGT "Fergie"

----------
From:   owner-mgs@autox.team.net on behalf of Jerry Causey
Sent:   Saturday, August 30, 1997 10:59 PM
To:     mgs@autox.team.net
Subject:        Bigger, Stiffer, More Fun

I picked up the brand new, custom built, 7/8th inch sway bar for the front of 
my '67 MGB GT Friday evening, installed it Saturday morning, using new JC 
Whitney urethane bushings and my original MG end links, and drove most of the 
twisty roads on the Island Saturday afternoon. Joy! A friend of mine works at 
a 
spring shop which manufactures leaf springs and sway bars for motor homes and 
very large trucks. A couple of months ago (every thing costs -- either dollars 

or time -- this was done on the Very Cheap) he volunteered to build me a 
bigger 
sway bar if I provided him with my existing 5/8th inch bar to use as a 
pattern. 
Curiously, I really didn't notice any difference in the handling on public 
roads driving around all this time with no sway bar at all. What a 
difference with the new one, though! The smallest bar stock he had is 7/8th 
inch, the same size as the Addco front sway bar for the 'B, but still, much 
thicker than most  British add-on bars. I was a little concerned that it might 

make the ride too harsh on bumpy roads (it doesn't), and that it might cause 
too much understeer (it doesn't). It's great! No body roll at all, and no ill 
effects on the ride. In fact, the car is very "tossable"  on tight corners, 
compared to driving with no sway bar, or with the 5/8th bar. I really don't 
understand why, but it seems to have less understeer now, rather than more. I 
may just forego adding that 3/4th inch rear sway bar I've been lusting after. 
Perhaps I'll just apply those dollars saved toward saving up for one of Doug 
Jackson's Panhard rods as my Christmas present from my spouse (somehow, she  
always knows exactly what I've always wanted!).

Regards,

Jerry Causey - 1967 MGB GT
Whidbey Island, Washington, embraced by the Puget Sound
(fairly close to Seattle, and the rest of the USA)




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