I’m going to be rebuilding my [edit: FRONT] suspension in the next month or so. Does anyone have experience with the 1” heavy duty swaybar from the Fiero store (edit: for the for the suspension)? Is this a worthwhile upgrade? I’m going to be swapping in a 3800sc with an 88 cradle and rear sway bar next winter, in case that makes a difference.

Fiero Store swaybar

[This message has been edited by ragoldsmith (edited 01-06-2021).]

Just a quick reminder that an aftermarket '84-'87 rear swaybar will not fit an '88 cradle.

[EDIT] Never mind... I now realize you're referring to the front swaybar.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 01-06-2021).]

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Just a quick reminder that an aftermarket '84-'87 rear swaybar will not fit an '88 cradle. [EDIT] Never mind... I now realize you're referring to the front swaybar.

Yep, but if I wasn’t I appreciate the warning! I edited my post to make it more clear. Thanks!

[This message has been edited by ragoldsmith (edited 01-06-2021).]

My Fiero had a similar setup: Addco 1" sway bar in front, '88 cradle and suspension (with stock sway bar and urethane bushings) in back. It was pretty flat in the turns, made the car feel very confident.

After the responses here and from Facebook, I went ahead and purchased the 1” sway bar. Would it be worth mounting one on the rear temporarily for a year?

quote Originally posted by ragoldsmith: Would it be worth mounting one on the rear temporarily for a year?

Are you planning to autocross within the next year? If so, sure. If not, IMO it wouldn't be worth the trouble of installing a rear swaybar since you'll be swapping the pre-'88 cradle/rear suspension out next winter for the '88.

Having said that, I don't think it would be a very good idea to install the heavy duty front swaybar with no sway bar in the back. If I was in your position, I'd just leave the front suspension alone until you do the cradle swap (which of course includes a rear swaybar.).

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 01-07-2021).]

quote Originally posted by ragoldsmith: After the responses here and from Facebook, I went ahead and purchased the 1” sway bar. Would it be worth mounting one on the rear temporarily for a year?

This page describes how you can reinstall your Fiero's original front anti-sway bar as a rear anti-sway bar:
https://fierozone.tripod.co...d/swaybar/index.html

quote Originally posted by SteveMushynsky: This page describes how you can reinstall your Fiero's original front anti-sway bar as a rear anti-sway bar: https://fierozone.tripod.co...d/swaybar/index.html

This is great, thanks. Seems simple enough, especially since my car will already be up on blocks.

The 88 front bar can be used on the pre-88 front suspension.

The front cross member braces need to be modified to accomplish the changeover.

A stiffer front bar without a corresponding rear one on a pre88 fiero will increase understeer.

Select springs for suspension frequency first, then shock dampen ratio to handle spring rates, then sway bars to fine tune.

On one 87 Fiero I added the Fiero Store rear sway bar that I believe is the original Herb Adams design. I retained the OEM front bar. It made a huge difference in handling. The bump steer was gone and the car took the curves better.
On my 87GT 3800, I added the larger Adcco rear sway bar to the rear and ended up with severe oversteer. I then replaced the front bar with the Addco front sway bar and the handling is now great.
Case in point; the Adcco bars must be used in pairs but the Fiero Store bar can be used solo.

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