>Thanks for the tip on the sway bar and shocks. I have a 7/8 swaybar that I
>might try on the S II at your suggestion. I currently have the wimpy 1/2"
>stock one fitted, which is useless. What did you do about the sway bar
>bushings. One of my retaining clips broke off, and the bushings are worn.
>Aren't there some teflon bushings available? And what about some sturdier
>clips? I appreciate all your valuable advice, Jarrid.
The sway bar must be for the earlier car, late 7/8 sway bars wont fit in the early cars because the lower control arms are at slightly different angles in relation to the later control arms.
The 7/8 sway bar was a sort of project that a few SI to SIII alpine enthusiasts fro this list started to produce a reproduction to the performance sway bar specified in the Series II performance tuning manual. Ultimately the person that was going to build the bars felt more comfortable doing buisiness with Rick at SS, so thats the way it went. Overall the price was not too much more, so no foul.
If you buy the 7/8 early sway bar, it comes with new rubber bushings.
I wouldnt use teflon bushings, they are too soft. Try nylon or delrin. I made my own, its not a big deal.
As for retaining clips ones off an early husky or minx will also fit. You should e able to find something around. I see more hillmans in the bone yards than alpines.
>Do you find you get more understeer with the bigger sway bar?
I forget what oversteer and understeer is. My handling nomeclature includes "loose" and "pushing". The stock SII got "loose" on me in the turns [rear came around]. Now with the new 7/8 bar, it is far more nuetral, with a slight tendancy to "push".
I feel this is a far more desirable handling arangement as at the limit of traction, the car just drifts to the outside, and correction is just a matter of dropping off the throttle a tad.
The car used to get sideways at the limit, and I lost control of it several times.
>Would it be
>a good idea to install a rear sway bar to compensate?
I doubt it. the early cars rear springs are a very high rate, which reduces the amount of bar needed in the rear. The fact that the car "pushes" ever so little leads me to believe that is a bar is needed in the rear, it would be so small anyhow, and 3/4 inch is the starting point for available bars{way too big}.
I prefer the feel of the car pushing, and it keeps me out of trouble.
Jarrid