My V6 sway bar vs. "03 cobra" bar new numbers Getting pissed

bigdogcq · 02-01-2006, 03:35 PM

I just got a front sway bay in the mail I purchased from ebay. It is supposed to be an 03 cobra 27mm tubular sway bar for the front. It measures approximately 33/32" in diameter where as my Stock bar measures 17/16 in. I am just kind of lost as to how to verify what bar this is for sure. I don't know how to tell if its tubular or solid mainly, and I can't find much information on the 03 cobra bars.
Chads guide (http://www.2kgt.com/item.php?itemid=75) only goes up to 02, and also does'nt tell me anything about the rear swaybar my 95 v6 did come with.

Any help would be appreciated.
thanks
C.q.

bigdogcq · 02-01-2006, 06:12 PM

"03 cobra" bar is also heavier...

fastmustangs1 · 02-01-2006, 07:53 PM

Well it is thicker in diameter and heavier. It will make your car handle better if anything. Less body roll in the corner which means it will stay flatter.

bigdogcq · 02-01-2006, 08:15 PM

So now I am getting pissed, I measure the bar and it measures between 26 and 27 mm. It is thinner than my stock bar, it is heavier than my stock bar.

After looking around I found some information that leads me to believe that an 03 cobra bar should be 29mm and should certainly be hollow. As I understand it hollow bars are stiffer than solid bars.

I am starting to think I just got hosed on this deal. Anyone have any information on what size an 03 cobra bar should be?

Still don't know how to tell if it's hollow or not.

slow_v6_stang · 02-01-2006, 08:18 PM

if i remember right, my bullitt front sway bar looked to be the same diameter as my V6 front sway bar, but it was heavier...so im assuming its better?

bigdogcq · 02-01-2006, 08:31 PM

Solid bars are softer than hollow bars the way I understand it but a thicker walled hollow bar would be stiffer than a thin walled hollow bar. I wish I knew the math behind it. What pisses me off is I was thinking of going to ford tomorrow to get a rear bar to match and need to know what I have up front first. PRrobably just going to bolt it up with the new one see how it feels.
C.q.

AZ2KVert · 02-01-2006, 09:37 PM

2003 Cobra had a 29 mm tubular front stabilizer bar and a 26 mm tubular rear stabilizer bar.

The math for swaybar calcs can be found here:

http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/sway2.htm

Diameter is the big determinant of stiffness. Hollow bars just let you get more diameter (stiffness) out of the same amount of metal (weight).

Trigger1434 · 02-02-2006, 08:25 AM

If you put a Cobra bar up front with a stock V6 rear bar you're going to understeer like no other.

bigdogcq · 02-02-2006, 01:50 PM

Going to be getting a 94-98 solid cobra bar in the rear, or a Steeda HD. Hopefully that will counteract it.

I went ahead and installed it and its a huge improvement over stock. Still not sure if it's 03 Cobra cause it seems to measure 26-27mm. I am happy though.