Sway bar bushings and end links

[subachad]

I upgraded the swaybar bushings yesterday in the Aveo, so far I'm impressed. The car has improved turn in and feels less floaty through the turns. The tires are now allowed to to thier job and stick to the road a little better.

While I was under there, I couldn't help but notice the tiny little end links. There is no way those are not flexing under cornering loads. They are also about 15 inches long which is super long for a car. They can be stiffined up with some U shap aluminum stock. I think I'm going to make some adjustable hiem joints which I will sell for $40-$60 depending on cost. They will allow you to preload the bar which will make it like running a stiffer sway bar. The adjustability will allow you to fine tune your suspension.

Chad

[Blade979]

Nice, keep us updated, btw where did you get the bushings?

[subachad]

The bushings are regular 17mm bushings I bought from www.summitracing.com. I did have to bend them a little to make them fit though. I used a vice and a large crescent wrench. Part number is ENS-9-5121G.

I didn't take any pictures but I will add a write up to my site with the info you need to follow along and the Summit Racing part number. They were only about $15, but you have to pay $8 handling.

I also plan on making a rear torsion bar like the LANOS had on it stock. I'm surprised the Aveo doesn't. There are some holes though so I should be able to make something pretty easily and test it out before I decide if it does anything.

A strut bar can be made, I have a plan it might be a while though. Under chassis bracing is also on the way.

In addition to the sway bar bushings I filled in the passenger side motor mount with high temp gasket maker. It worked wonders on the Lanos, the Aveo doesn't seem to have as much power though so the difference is less noticeable. I'll be filling the other mount as well, not sure when though.

Chad

[chefgold]

Thanks for a great post, I have been Cajun Fooding about those popsicle sticks for a while, You can get 15" x 3/4" torsion tubes with both hiems ready to go from summit, longacre, Heintz performance, etc... they use them on coil over style latemodel circle track chassis, might be something to look at.

[Blade979]

When you get everything up Suba...post a link to your site, very interested in all your mods.

[subachad]

I planned on writing it up tonight, but I just got in. I spent the last 4 hours getting my Subaru running and taking it for a drive for the first time in 5 months. The thing pulls hard and I don't even have it tuned yet.

I'll get a write up soon for those bushings. Unfortunately I don't have pics, but I'll get what I can. I also got some aqua city lights in the mail today.

I'm thinking there will be 3 main articles on the Aveo. One for performance, one for appearance, and one for suspension. The suspension will be the most fun.

Chad