Quote:
Originally Posted by zl1bro
Do these differ in anyway from the Pfadt bars?
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Time to find out.
OE ZL1 Front Bar 25mm Solid
OE ZL1 Rear Bar 28mm
Ratio 1.12
Brand-x Front Bar 25.4mm Hollow
Brand-x Rear Bar 34.88mm Hollow
Ratio 1.37
OE 1LE Front Bar 27mm Solid
OE 1LE Rear Bar 28mm Solid
Ratio 1.03
Pedders Z Front 27mm Solid
Pedders Z Rear 32mm Solid
Ratio 1.18
With the same diameter and the same material, a solid rod is stronger than a hollow pipe. However, with the same weight and material, the hollow pipe is stronger than a solid rod. Because a hollow pipe is lighter than a solid rod at the same diameter, the hollow pipe would have a larger diameter in order to match weights with the solid rod and a larger diameter rod or pipe is stronger than a smaller diameter one.
Very few hollow tube sway bar manufacturers publish the wall thickness of the tube they use. Typically it is .118. A much stronger bar would be made of .188. For our calculations we used a wall thickness of .188.
The solid bar is 21% stronger. For a .188 wall thickness tube to be stronger than the 25mm solid bar it would need an OD of 27mm. If the brand-x bars are made using .250 tubing the front bar would be of equal strength to the OEM bar that came with the car. Without knowing the exact wall thickness we can only estimate the strength. It is safe to say that the brand-x front bar is close in strength to the OE front bar. Maybe a little less strong or maybe a little bit stronger, but close to the OE bar. In the rear, there is a significant difference in bar size between brand-x and the OE bars. Depending on wall thickness the brand-x bar is functionally 3mm larger. Pedders rear bar is 4mm larger.
The ratio of bar diameter create a bias for understeer or oversteer. From the factory the ZL1 is the best balanced 5th Gen. and has a ratio of 1.12. The 1LE has a much less aggressive ratio at 1.03. The Brand-x bars come in at 1.37 with Pedders at 1.18. We believe our ratio to be dead nuts balls on correct for the 5th Gen.
Once again, these calculations are ESTIMATES as the wall thickness is not published for the bars.
There are other differences. The brand-x bar has a sliding adjustment for the rear endlink. In our engineering calculations which appear to be similar to those done at GM, the rear droplink functions best when vertically oriented to a straight up position in relation to the front or rear of the vehicle. Leaning the droplink toward the front of the vehicle or the rear of the vehicle, deviating front straight up, the assembly loses efficiency in function. That is why Pedders choose to adjust the strength / force of the rear bar with different durometers of bushes in the droplink. We maintain the optimal orientation and tune with harder of softer droplink bushes.
Sway Bar Straps are a big deal. They seem ordinary, but they are not.
Pedders 5th Gen Sway Bar Bushes and Straps
Other Brands
In summary, Pedders ZL1 sway offer greater role control, the most robust hardware and optimal efficiency. If we didn't believe that what we are selling is the absolute best for the ZL1 we shouldn't be selling it. I guarantee you will be thrilled with Pedders ZL1 bar upgrade. If you aren't I will personally refund your money. GUARANTEED.