Spirited driving = sway bars?

[Kingme2]

So, I have a huge list of front end parts I'm about to order, pondering sway bars...

The factory front sway bar is 3/4", I think. I see some of the vendors sell a 1"....

So, what is best value? Upgrade the front, or go rear... Or do I need to save up and do both

[SoFlaFiat]

I'm sure there are many opinions but I have gone with a 1" front and plan on seeing how that feels before adding a rear.

[Kingme2]

Noticeable difference?

[SoFlaFiat]

Wish I could say, but I haven't driven it yet... Someday soon!!
In any case, the rear is easy to install anytime you feel the need. Go with the 1" on the front no matter what, and add the rear if you like.

[vandor]

Since Spiders understeer a lot in stock form it is common to add a rear bar first, to reduce the understeer.

I really like my Spider with the 1" front and 5/8" rear bar, but I have friends that like to keep the stock front bar and add a rear bar.

[azruss]

i kept the stock front bar and added a rear bar from Mark Allison. Havent done extensive driving with it, but did test it out on some twisties with a very rough surface and also smooth curve. Everything under 50 mph. In that speed range the handling is so close to neutral.

[FiatMac]

I have a stock front with a 5/8 rear. This took care of the understeer. Ran on the track at VIR and handling was close to neutral.

[narfire]

I have the 1" front but no rear (yet). With the Koni yellows, handling is terrific, big improvement over stock and KYB's.
I have 205/15's as well that helps....

[bobplyler]

I had a Pinto that didn't come with any sway bars.

I put on both a front and rear, and it handled great.

Later on, I ran over a muffer some ancient car had deposited on the road,
and it broke the bracket for the front sway bar.

I took off the front, and enjoyed the oversteer for several years. Then I
took off the back (was having too much fun, plus I got older, and less adventurous).

[redcars]

I put on a 25mm front bar and that helped. I then add a 5/8 inch rear bar and like it better. The rear bar is needed to get rid of the under steer. I like no to a little over steer.

[msrichmond]

I kept the front bar stock. I have progressive lowering springs from Spider-Point in Germany (I think these are available stateside now). Yellow Konis.

I have not seen anyone else suggest this, so I will, the tip came to me from Kelly Dicker of Wine Country Motors in Napa, CA.

Instead of a rear bar, you double the long trailing arms in back. Those arms are what give you rear roll stiffness as a single, and when doubled, the effect is amazing. And they are easy to install outside the brackets that carry the original ones. Yes, you need very long bolts to pair them.

I have 205/60-13 tires and what feels to me like neutral cornering and a smooth ride.

MikeR ('77 Spider)

[Kingme2]

Went with front and back.it's only money.... Right???

Sb here in a few weeks with all the front end rebuild supplies.... The, in another 4-5 months Corvino can come out and get the work done.

Yep, sitting here with two boxes full of supplies, no car...

[chrisg]

On two cars I set up for spirited driving (and used thusly), I ran stiff springs (pick your flavor...there are more off-the-shelf flavors today than I had at the time), Konis (actually prefer the sport Konis on 'soft'), stock front bar & the typical (addco) rear bar (rubber bushings). I'm getting ready to do my '72 Coupe and and I'm rather excited about the easy choices on the market now for everything suspension-related (even loaded A-arms that with bushings that last more than 6 months!). I have a number of spare front & rear bars, so that part is easy (except finding the hardware), but I'm rather intrigued by the doubling the rear arm concept...anyone have photos?

[81SPIDERMATT]

x2 on the double trailing arms .... pics ... build details

[TStark]

Seems to me the double trailing arms will torque some already sketchy metalurgy in a manner that was not intended.