C3: 1976 Front Sway Bar Size?

[Milton S.]

What is the size of the front sway bar on 1976 with Std suspension? 7/8" or 15/16"? I assume the L48 and L82 used the same size.

[Tom R.]

Re: C3: 1976 Front Sway Bar Size?

Yes...the same size was used for both L48 and L82...the difference was FE7 that was an option for either engine.

The front stabilizer shaft (sway bar) is 7/8" (0.875") diameter for base suspension and 1 1/8" for FE7/Z07 suspension. The finish of the bar can be as-forged or dip-painted semigloss black. It runs across the front of the car, then turns and points toward the rear and fastens to the link bushings.

Per the 75-77 TIMJG

[Duke W.]

Re: C3: 1976 Front Sway Bar Size?

With either engine the base suspension is the same, and the front anti-roll bar diameter is 13/16" beginning in 1973 according to the T MVMA specs. This is a 1/16" increase in size from base suspension small block C2 and early small block C3s., which are 3/4". The reason for the increase in base suspension front bar size is the C3's increasing weight compared to small block C2 and early small block C3 models.

The FE7 Gymkana suspension option beginning in 1975 bar sizes are 1 1/8" front, 7/16". For 1974 small block FE7 suspension bar size was essentially the same as the Z-06 and F-40 options for small blocks which included a 15/16" front bar and no rear bar.

Duke

[Tom R.]

Re: C3: 1976 Front Sway Bar Size?

Duke...its a 76...specs changed significantly from early C3...see the 3rd edition of the 75-77. We scoured this stuff extensively.

[Duke W.]

Re: C3: 1976 Front Sway Bar Size?

I checked the MVMA specs and the first year for the base SB suspension 13/16" front bar was 1974. 1963 to 1973 base SB suspension front bar is 3/4". I edited my previous post accordingly.

Duke

[Alan D.]

Re: C3: 1976 Front Sway Bar Size?

Well, I measured the diameter of my front stabilizer bar (sway bar) at .882 diameter. My car is a 1977 L48 with standard suspension. The car has received the McLellan Mark of Excellence Award in 2014 and I believe all is correct. Just my observation.