Going the extra mile," is a phrase many of us hate to hear (because it usually means more work). But on the other hand, we love to reap the benefits of that extra effort, because that's what it takes to raise the bar on performance.
Isn't it funny, though, that just when you think everything is done, something else pops up. Take for instance the stock '55 Chevy that received new suspension and brakes in last month's issue. Ring any bells? You know, the baby blue one that received a host of performance goodies from McGaughy's Suspension Parts such as tubular control arms, lowering springs, rear leafs, and disc brakes. We also topped it off with a new set of tires from Coker and rims from Wheel Vintiques. And before you ask, the "Road Rage" results are coming! Well it's been decided that that suspension upgrade alone wasn't going to be enough to get the results we are after. Therefore, were going to go that "extra mile" to ensure our '55 will zig and zag through cones and any other obstacles in its way with a smile upon it's grille.
To complement our '55's modern-day suspension setup we added front and rear sway bars with polyurethane bushings from Performance Suspension Technology. But why add sway bars, you ask? To help diminish body roll and lean when the car goes around corners. By linking the front wheels together and to the chassis, the sway bar essentially counteracts the natural tendency for the body to lift away from the suspension on the same side of the vehicle that is heading into the turn. Likewise, by doing the same at the rearend housing (by linking each side with a bar and affixing it to the rear framerails) the bar helps prevent the body from lifting, therefore helping it to keep a more level attitude going around corners. What it all boils down to is sway bars not only help improve real-world handling, but performance handling as well. And that will go a long way in helping to make a 50-year-old Shoebox handle like a new performance machine.
As you'll see by the pictures, installing the PST components was relatively easy. Of course, if you don't have access to a lift, you'll be stuck on your back for a couple of hours. But in our book, the effort is certainly outweighed by the awesome performance gain. As for how they work on this baby blue beauty, you'll have to wait and see our test results coming up in a couple of months. Stay tuned!