Tylus

I picked up this combo package for the Struts only so I can finally finish lowering my car, but I was figuring I might as well install the Sway bar if it's any different/better than my current setup.Is the GT500 front sway bar any better than my current one? Just the same? Thoughts/Opinions please.


BTW, are the GT500 rear shocks any different from the GT shocks? I know the struts are stiffer valved, but haven't heard anything about the rears.


TIA

V8 VOL

I hope you get some answers on this....I asked a similar question about this set up a few threads down and got lots of views, but no answers.

My thoughts are, if this was a good set up than tons of folks would have opinions because tons of folks would have made this upgrade.

Hopefully someone with some knowledge and first hand experience will jump on and help us out.

Tylus

a ton of guys upgrade to the struts...but you never really hear about the other stuff. we'll see.

Sam Strano

Front bar is the same. Both are 34mm. You already have a STB (beefier than what they are selling) and GT500 dampers will offering a bit more control are in no way the equal of good aftermarket stuff (with a great choice staged to be a little more cost effective tomorrow--stay tuned), they ride more harshly and don't have any sort of warranty, let alone a lifetime one.

Tylus

Thx Sam. Figured as much about the Sway Bar. Already had planned to sell the STB and keep the Bullitt one anyways. It was a combo package, so I really got them for free

I'd love to get some Koni's from you, but at this point the GT500's fit my budget way more easily. Someday I'll get them though...someday

Sam Strano

It's false economy to buy something for less that doesn't work as well, and will need replaced again anyway..... And fwiw, tomorrow Koni STR.T's go on sale for $318, vs. the current $399. And you are in Hawaii, well I don't know what you'd pay for shipping on that GT500 stuff, but I can get the Koni's there for about $45.

Tylus

Call it "false economy", bit I paid a tad over $100 for the setup. So almost 1/4 or 1/3 the price of good struts. I do want your Koni's, but it's hard to swallow that $363 at this point

As a bonus, I should be able to get at least $50 for the STB and a few bucks for the Sway bar that some sixxer guy can utilize maybe

Even if I have to toss the sway bar, this costs me $50-60 total to avoid dis-assembling my OEM struts. I've only put 5200 miles on the car in 1.75 yrs. Not worried about theses wearing out prematurely.

I appreciate the advice, and plan on heading eventually

Sam Strano

Fair enough...

RoadRacer78

Correct, both are 34mm. But they are not the same. The GT500 bar has more wall thickness and therefore has more "rate".

Sam Strano

That's true, the GT500 bar has a bit thicker wall tubing. However, the difference in wall thickness is bordering on hardly a difference. 5.8mm wall for the GT500 vs. 5.1 for a GT.

For comparison a 2011 GT uses a 34.6mm bar with 4.4mm wall (and is bound up) and I use a 34.9mm bar (35mm is the common name) with a 6.35mm wall---and 3 adjustments too.