webxfx Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 Just from poking around the junk yards - what other "better" sway bar will fit my 96 Grand Prix GT? Saw a 99 LTZ there but guessing it might be the same as I already have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 3.4 car front sway bar rear from 3.4 car, unless you want a rear sway bar from a gen 1.5 lumina, which will work provided you block the ends from sliding out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webxfx Posted December 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 Mine is a 3.4 car, so guessing that's all ready the biggest one out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 correct. you have the biggest front swaybar. you can make the 95+ 1.5 gen Lumina/monte carlo sway bars fit, a few people have done it with some success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 bushing upgrades would help too! for the front, blue moog bushings work great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXX Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 3.4 car front sway bar rear from 3.4 car, unless you want a rear sway bar from a gen 1.5 lumina, which will work provided you block the ends from sliding out... Hey Ken, ive noticed with my Gen 2 rear suspension setup in the rear, the Gen 1.5 bar doesnt need the blocked ends. It seems to be the correct length! I do need to get the new bushings installed though. I have had no issues with the 7/8" Gen 1.5 rear bar. Actually, the only issue has been the exhaust every now and then bumping it, but the exhaust thats on it was custom made. I imagine the stock exhaust might sit a tab bit farther away On a note though, with the Gen 1.5 bar, it will rub the brake hoses a tab bit if lowered or lower than stock. Just a quick tweak of the bracket that is at the end of the hose will keep it outta harms way if your worried about it. I havent bent mine outta the way and havent had any issues in 13000 miles so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webxfx Posted January 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 I found a 1.5 Lumina LTZ, I think a 98 (had the 3.8L) and its rear looked huge. Going to look at what my 96 GP GT had on it now. But what do you all mean by it "sliding out" cause it looks to mount the same, or am I missing something.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXX Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 I found a 1.5 Lumina LTZ, I think a 98 (had the 3.8L) and its rear looked huge. Going to look at what my 96 GP GT had on it now. But what do you all mean by it "sliding out" cause it looks to mount the same, or am I missing something.... The Gen 1.5 bars are a tab bit longer, not much at all really, so Ken has noticed the ends of the bar push out on the bushings at the strut... I dont have this issue what so ever since I am using Gen 2 lateral links which are longer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webxfx Posted January 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Thanks for ther reply From reading other post, I think I might just go grab the whole setup and put that in - just got to make my own hole at the top of the stut mount and I'm set - then I should be able to get lowing springs for a gen 1.5 - right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXX Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Thanks for ther reply From reading other post, I think I might just go grab the whole setup and put that in - just got to make my own hole at the top of the stut mount and I'm set - then I should be able to get lowing springs for a gen 1.5 - right? How far do you want to go on your rear suspension??? You can have a great rear suspension on a budget.. Heres a few details 2nd Gen adjustable lateral links, common junkyard part, I used a set off a 02 Impala GMPP Tubular rear trailing arms Gen 1.5 22mm bar (aka 7/8") KYB struts Stock mounts (yes, they will work fine) QA1 2.5" ID 12" springs (choose spring rate wisely) ES upper spring isolators 2.100" ID coilover springs and adjuster nuts for 2.5" ID springs And a good alignment tech. Camber and toe need adjusted carefully so the setback is the same on both sides. Currently, im working on improving the setup, just gotta order in some more parts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 If you choose to use the gen 1.5 bar in a gen 1, without further modifications, the bar is only about 1 inch too wide, but can be compressed and made to work. I had the OEM outer brackets modified with a welded brace so the pressure of the swaybar can't pop out the bushings. the reason the bar has to be held and compressed a bit is that they come a little too close to to the gen 1 struts. so far so good! tip: to tension the bar, I used a ratchet strap, tensioned it, installed the braces and bushings, then released the tension. done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedGTP Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 If you choose to use the gen 1.5 bar in a gen 1, without further modifications, the bar is only about 1 inch too wide, but can be compressed and made to work. I had the OEM outer brackets modified with a welded brace so the pressure of the swaybar can't pop out the bushings. the reason the bar has to be held and compressed a bit is that they come a little too close to to the gen 1 struts. so far so good! tip: to tension the bar, I used a ratchet strap, tensioned it, installed the braces and bushings, then released the tension. done! Like I had make mine ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairdo12 Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 I have a Gen 1.5 bar on my first gen lumina. I made zero modifications. I did use smaller outter bushings from a 96 grand prix though. I just greased it up and forced it over the end of the bar. Been there for over a year now and no problems. My exhaust is from a 93 euro 3.4 and I have no clearance issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webxfx Posted January 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2009 Thanks for ther reply From reading other post, I think I might just go grab the whole setup and put that in - just got to make my own hole at the top of the stut mount and I'm set - then I should be able to get lowing springs for a gen 1.5 - right? How far do you want to go on your rear suspension??? You can have a great rear suspension on a budget.. Heres a few details 2nd Gen adjustable lateral links, common junkyard part, I used a set off a 02 Impala GMPP Tubular rear trailing arms Gen 1.5 22mm bar (aka 7/8") KYB struts Stock mounts (yes, they will work fine) QA1 2.5" ID 12" springs (choose spring rate wisely) ES upper spring isolators 2.100" ID coilover springs and adjuster nuts for 2.5" ID springs And a good alignment tech. Camber and toe need adjusted carefully so the setback is the same on both sides. Currently, im working on improving the setup, just gotta order in some more parts Thanks for those details, my end goal is to lower the car - in stead of the QA1 springs couldn't I just get a kit that was ment for a gen 1.5 car? the fronts are the same right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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