Thunderbird SC rear sway bar

[Calabrio]

I pulled the rear sway bar from a '90 Thunderbird SuperCoupe (SC) the other day. I remembered reading somewhere that this part was superior to the Mark VIII rear bar because:

1. It had a slightly larger diameter
2. It was solid
3. It was an easy swap
4. It was only $20, with the end links at the junk yard. (In case anyone suggests an adco bar)

Was this information accurate, should I bother installing it.
My original sway bar is o.k. though I did notice a tiny rust hole on it while changing the rear diff fluid.

 

[Calabrio]

I think I read that the rear on the 90 SC was a 1.1" and solid.
What's the size of the stock hollow rear sway on the Mark VIII?

 

[Calabrio]

I think I read that the rear on the 90 SC was a 1.1" and solid.
What's the size of the stock hollow rear sway on the Mark VIII?

I just pulled the sway bar.
WOW. What a difference in weight.

 

[Calabrio]

...did I need to replace the end links, or can I reused the Mark VIII end links.
I did- and it seems to have installed fine. I have the SC endlinks just in case, they are a little different.

 

[driller]

I just pulled the sway bar.
WOW. What a difference in weight.

So... you want a heavier one??? LOL

Funny, only because I know guys that lust after the Mark VIII bar because it's lighter than the stock MN12 bar.

 

[Calabrio]

So... you want a heavier one??? LOL

Funny, only because I know guys that lust after the Mark VIII bar because it's lighter than the stock MN12 bar.

No, I didn't desire a heavier one, I wanted a larger diameter one to reduce the understeer.

I guess for a drag racing application I might want to shave the extra 4lbs, but if that were a concerned I'd also remove the tools from the trunk too. I'm more interested in economic improvements to the handling.

 

[formerknown]

I think I read that the rear on the 90 SC was a 1.1" and solid.
What's the size of the stock hollow rear sway on the Mark VIII?

I think it's 7/8. Or is that the Mark VII size?

 

[Calabrio]

There might have been a subtle improvement, I detected a faint touch of oversteer, which I'd been missing.

I'm a little worried that I should have used the T-bird end links, but everything bolted up good and looked good after the first test ride.

 

[formerknown]

There might have been a subtle improvement, I detected a faint touch of oversteer, which I'd been missing.

I'm a little worried that I should have used the T-bird end links, but everything bolted up good and looked good after the first test ride.

You should have used the endlinks...

 

[driller]

I'm a little worried that I should have used the T-bird end links, but everything bolted up good and looked good after the first test ride.

Are the ends of the bar near level when the suspension is loaded?

 

[Calabrio]

Additional question-

What other parts are worth lifting off of that SC?
I mentioned the seats in another thread, but having to recover them ruins the economy of that. Though, I did really like them.

The rear diff would be a 3.27 with trac-loc, could I just remove the entire pumpkin and swap it with my 3.07 open?
-is this worth it despite the addition weight of the iron T-bird rear?

Is there anything else on this car that would be worth putting on the Mark.

 

[Calabrio]

O.K.

Better questions:

1. Are there any other cars with the IRS, 8.8, with the 3.07 or 3.27 rear, aluminum, and trac-loc?

2. How much will it cost to make my 3.07 trac-loc? Do I need to change everything inside it, or can I just buy a trac-loc assembly?

And lastly- is there anything else on the SC I should pick up?

 

[formerknown]

1. Are there any other cars with the IRS, 8.8, with the 3.07 or 3.27 rear, aluminum, and trac-loc?

The 1999 Mustang Cobra (3.27).

2. How much will it cost to make my 3.07 trac-loc? Do I need to change everything inside it, or can I just buy a trac-loc assembly?

Rebuild with locker? Going price is betweeen $250-350, parts & labor.