Rear swaybar upgrade 88XR7

Topic: Rear swaybar upgrade 88XR7 (Read 1920 times) previous topic - next topic

Rear swaybar upgrade 88XR7

August 14, 2005, 10:04:59 PM

Everyone,

I read this thread...
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=1357

...and now I am confused. All the different meaurements (and not knowing what the stock diameter for an XR7) is messing with my head. What is the diameter of a stock 88 XR7 rear swaybar? I would like to find something a little bigger, I donno what size to get.

Thanks...

RANT: the reason this has become a "problem" is because I took out the hollow rear bar on my 1995 Mark VIII LSC and put in a 1990 Super Coupe bar in its place. HOLY what a HUGE difference!! Right now the big ass MN-12 has more balanced handling (albeit with less grip) than my fox and that is juuust unacceptable! Price isn't a big deal, I'll go aftermarket if a junkyard bar isn't an option. Considering I got my Mark to handle well for $15, I'll pony up the $$$ for the Cougar.

Here's my article on the Mark, for all the old farts who drive Lincolns but like to take corners. And yes, Ford actually used HOLLOW rear swaybars in the 1990s! ;) http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article134.html

Re: Rear swaybar upgrade 88XR7

Reply #1 – August 15, 2005, 12:18:39 AM

Some aftermarket swaybars are hollow too.

Anyway- I would guess that your factory rear swaybar is probably the same size as what was on the Turbo Coupes and 5.0's...around 3/4". A '99+ GT rear swaybar is 7/8" so that's an improvement, and also somewhere in the SN95's the (live axle) cobras had a 1" rear swaybar.

Re: Rear swaybar upgrade 88XR7

Reply #2 – August 17, 2005, 11:50:29 AM

Ok that makes sense...3/4" sounds about right. Thanks for the info.

Wasn't sure SN-95 bars fit on Cougars, but now I know. Thanks for the info. :)

Re: Rear swaybar upgrade 88XR7

Reply #3 – August 17, 2005, 11:55:31 AM

Jeeves, I have a 1995 GT rear sway bar on the convertible...works perfectly.

Re: Rear swaybar upgrade 88XR7

Reply #4 – August 17, 2005, 12:00:19 PM

Perfect! BTW, how is the oversteer/understeer balance with that bar and the Turbo Coupe front bar? The stock rear bar allows for way too much understeer, IMO. Just curious to see how big I should go out back.

Re: Rear swaybar upgrade 88XR7

Reply #5 – August 17, 2005, 12:46:50 PM

Well, love to tell you but my car doesn't have a frickin' solid roof...there's body lean no matter what I do! FWIW I didn't notice any difference between the TC sway bar and the SN95 one.

Re: Rear swaybar upgrade 88XR7

Reply #6 – August 17, 2005, 01:37:25 PM

I have the '99 GT rear swaybar on my car, along with a stock front swaybar with aftermarket endlinks and poly bushings. It feels a bit tighter than stock, but this is a heavy car so there's still body roll. I think this car could really benefit from some aftermarket springs and some chassis bracing, and better tires.

Re: Rear swaybar upgrade 88XR7

Reply #7 – August 17, 2005, 02:58:53 PM

Red LX: that's basically what I'm looking for, heck BMW M3s roll a fair bit and they still handle great. I'll be looking for an 7/8" SN95 bar. I bet that 1" bar is hollow like the one on my Mark VIII.

Eric, doesn't matter man, your car looks better crusin down the road. :)