Rear Sway Bar: GT350 vs GT350R

[AmericanLegend]

I've got a GT/PP and am thinking about upgrading my sway bars.
I like the option of going with a mild upgrade. I'm leaning towards GT350R sway bars.

From what I can find in searching:

GT350R rear sway bar is 24.0 mm thick (Stock GT/PP is 22.2 mm).
PN: FR3Z-5A772-E

Also the GT350 and GT350R front sway bar is 34 mm (FR3Z-5482-J).
Both Tasca and Levittown parts sites claim the front bushings are discontinued (FR3Z-5484-C).
The front bushings are not actually discontinued. I called Levittown and they were able to order the bushings with no issues (using FR3Z-5484-C part number). Levittown had the bushings in hand within two days.

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[DocWalt]

The GT350 and GT350R bars are actually quite a bit different according to the owner's manual

GT350
Rear stabilizer bar
22.2mm DIA x 3.9mm wall (0.87 x 0.15 in)
GT350R
24mm DIA x 3.6mm wall (0.94 x 0.14 in )
with 8mm (0.31 in) shorter

 

[GTP]

The GT350 and GT350R bars are actually quite a bit different according to the owner's manual

GT350
Rear stabilizer bar
22.2mm DIA x 3.9mm wall (0.87 x 0.15 in)
GT350R
24mm DIA x 3.6mm wall (0.94 x 0.14 in )
with 8mm (0.31 in) shorter

If I recall the formula from my college days (waaay back), the torsional stiffness increases with the 4th power.

So, 240/222^^4 the R bar is 36% increase in stiffness (assuming identical wall thickness).

Considering the wall thickness, it is +26% stiffer. (I got curious and Googled the math.)

 

[DocWalt]

Something like that. I'm way too busy to do the math... I'd need to figure out the F:R ratio of spring rate versus bars, etc to say if the GT350 or GT350R rear bar is the way to go.

That bushing part # appears correct and it does come up on the Ford Parts site, but all of my normal sources don't see to have any readily available. It's probably been superseded by a new part and not updated yet.

 

[AmericanLegend]

Alright, appreciate it guys.

The Stock PP rear sway bar is 22.2 mm.

Front stabilizer bar
GT350 and GT350R
34mm DIA​

Rear stabilizer bar
GT350
22.2mm DIA ​

GT350R
24.0mm DIA with 8mm (0.31 in) shorter arms than GT350.​

 

[DocWalt]

I can say that the GT350 bars ride "ok" for daily use. It's noticeably stiff, but not unbearably so.

I'd imagine either of the GT350 rear bars would be fine in combination with the GT350 front bar & your spring/shock setup. The R bar will make the car a little more tail happy.

 

[Performance nut]

Wait, wait, wait... $50 for a front sway bar and $49 for a rear sway bar? Um... please tell me the GT350R sway bars fit on a GT. What would you need to buy in order to get them to fit? I realize bushings but what about brackets and end links?

This just put a big ol' smile on my face since this is the first time I have seen the specs.

 

[Nick71692]

where do you see those prices?

 

[Performance nut]

where do you see those prices?

Seriously though, check out Tasca or site's OEM parts dealers <cough>Levittown</cough>

 

[DocWalt]

Alright, appreciate it guys.

The Stock PP rear sway bar is 22.2 mm. Not sure of the thickness though? Okay, so the GT350 rear bar isn't much of an upgrade for a PP GT.

Here is where I got my information on both GT350 & GT350R rear bars being the same diameter:

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/Catalog/owner_information/2015-2016-Mustang-Shelby-GT350-Supplement-version-1_su_EN-US_07_2015.pdf.

*Also shows the GT350 & GT350R rear springs rates being the same (914 lb/in).
Doesn't sound right either.

Rear spring rate
GT350
160 N/mm (914 lb/in)​

GT350R
160 N/mm (914 lb/in)​

Front stabilizer bar
GT350
34mm DIA x 5.7mm wall (1.34 x 0.22 in)​

GT350R
34mm DIA x 5.7mm wall (1.34 x 0.22 in)
GT350​

Rear stabilizer bar
GT350
22.2mm DIA x 3.9mm wall (0.87 x 0.15 in)​

GT350R
22.2mm DIA x 3.9mm wall (0.87 x 0.15 in )​

with 8mm (0.31 in) shorter arms than GT350.

I got my info from the 2017 GT350 Supplement, I'm not sure what my car was actually built with though, I can measure the rear bar if desired. The R has the same rate rear springs as the non-R, but stiffer front springs. The bar changes should balance that out nicely though...

 

[AmericanLegend]

Wait, wait, wait... $50 for a front sway bar and $49 for a rear sway bar? Um... please tell me the GT350R sway bars fit on a GT. What would you need to buy in order to get them to fit? I realize bushings but what about brackets and end links?

This just put a big ol' smile on my face since this is the first time I have seen the specs.

EXACTLY why I'm looking into this!

After market bars (Front and Rear) run ~ $470.00 and are usually ~ 35 mm front and 25 mm rear.

The Shelby GT350R set up is 34 mm front and 24 mm rear for ~$170 shipped (including new front and rear bushings)! The front and rear brackets and end links are the same part number for both the Shelby GT350R and GT/PP Mustangs.

 

[Grintch]

I don't know why Ford Racing doesn't sell GT350 based packages. Like the base (non MR) shocks, springs, and sway bars.

I don't like it that we are left to figure out what works, and what supporting hardware is needed.

GM loves to sell ZL1 & Z28 parts to lesser Camaro owners.

 

[AmericanLegend]

for the GT350R front and rear sway bars....here is what I think the part numbers are:
Can anyone verify these are correct?

Shelby GT350R
1. Front Sway Bar: FR3Z-5482-J, 34.0 mm
2. Front Sway Bar Bushings: FR3Z-5484-C
3. Rear Sway Bar: FR3Z-5A772-E, 24.0 mm
4. Rear Sway Bar Bushings: F2GZ-5493-C

PS: The bushing brackets and end links seem to be the same part numbers for the GT/PP, GT350 & GT350R? Let me know if this is not true?

 

[Lost Cosmonaut]

Watching this thread, a cheap upgrade would be nice!

 

[West TX GT]

For that price I'll buy these if fitment is confirmed. Hopefully I'll beat the rush to buy them up once everyone knows they will work.

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