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- Porsche 356 17.5mm Sport Sway Bar
Porsche 356 17.5mm Sport Sway Bar
Product Description
Fits all 356 models. Cold formed from chrome moly steel and hardened to 48 Rockwell just like the original bar, and then powder coated in satin black. Correct with tapered ends, and correct (but larger) clamps, for an authentic appearance. Complete 20% harder rubber bushings for a positive feel without the problems associated with poly bushings. Designed to improve street handling performance, and high speed stability, without compromising ride quality and originality.
The increase in stiffness is 85% for the 356 A/B (originally equipped with a 15mm bar) and 42% for the 356 C (originally equipped with a 16mm bar). Most aftermarket swaybars are not hardened. This reduces the cost but makes it necessary to use a larger bar to achieve the same rate.
The first 356's had no front swaybar. In order to reduce the oversteering characteristics of the car, Porsche began using a front swaybar in late 1955. This bar was 15mm in diameter, and continued until late 1963. With the 356C the bar was increased to 16mm.
To further reduce oversteer and wandering, especially at high speeds, we experimented with bars up to 19mm. We found the 17.5mm bar to be the perfect size. It reduces oversteer to a minimum, flattens the car in cornering, but doesn't dramatically change the characteristics of the 356.
We've sold hundreds of these kits to date!
The kit also includes the proper grease to use when installing the bar.
Product Reviews
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Perfect
Posted by Gus Borner on 2nd Oct 2023
Perfect fit and workmanship. Improved handling. Thank you !
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Best handling mod for a 356!!
Posted by Alex on 20th Apr 2023
I installed the sports sway bar on my 65 coupe along with one of Vic Skirmants rear camber regulators and the car’s handling is transformed!! I’d say its a must have for anyone looking to improve your 356 handling. I also fitted the sport rear torsion bushings and highly recommend also!
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quality product. complete kit. good fit
Posted by Richard Sutliffe on 30th May 2021
High quality product. Kit was complete. Everything fit. Sales person at Willhoit answered my telephone question. Car now handles better. Takes corners flatter without too much understeer which can happen with a bigger front sway bar.
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Fit like a glove! What a difference!
Posted by Darryl Deppe on 9th Apr 2021
I was surprised at how easily it went on. I put each rubber bushing in a cup of boiling water to make them more pliable before installing, which made a big difference. It took longer to clean and repaint the brackets than the actual installation! I installed a Vic Skirmants camber regulator at the same time and my 356C's handling has been transformed.
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Good Product
Posted by Bob Conta on 10th Dec 2020
A good product once installed. Installation was not exactly quick and easy:
- Installing the new rubber bushings in the lower control arms and sway bar was difficult. The lubricant provided is too viscous. Fortunately I had some P-80 rubber lubricant that made it much easier. Some suggestions for tools that would make pressing the bushings into the control arms and drop links easier would be helpful.
- The 8x20mm bolts for the chassis bracket are too short. Longer bolts would make it easier, especially when you are doing the install alone.
- Also, contrary to the statement in the description, hardening the bar has no effect on the stiffness of the bar as long as the material stresses in use are within the steel's elastic range.
- Looking forward to driving it now!
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Handling Improved
Posted by Douglas Madsen on 19th Jun 2020
The web site picture and description differ slightly from what was received and no instructions were included.
It took a few minutes to measure the placement of the existing bushings and 20 min. to remove the old bar. I then spent 3 hours cleaning and painting the connecting areas. The assembly was greatly assisted by the use of the supplied grease.
Back on the road an improvement in handling is noticeable at 40 MPH and above, tracking is better.
I am completely satisfied
REPLY: I'm sorry that hardware kit slipped out without instructions! I'm glad you were able to figure it out and enjoy the bar!
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Good quality
Posted by Mike Haley on 7th Jul 2019
The directions enclosed with the bar estimated 2.5 hours to remove and replace the sway bar. I think it took me about half of that time probably due to the previous owner using urethane bushings. They were easy to pop out.
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Excellent Product
Posted by William Ordway on 14th Sep 2018
The Willhoit 17.5 mm Sport Sway Bar made a huge difference in the handling at highway speeds for my 1964 Porsche 356C. I just ordered another one for my 1960 B Cabriolet!
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Sport Sway Bar
Posted by Jim Nelson on 14th Jun 2013
I recently installed the Sport Sway Bar on my '63 Super 90 Cab. It was one of the easiest bolt-on installations I've run across. Instructions are straightforward. Caveat: I also installed Vic Skirmat's camber regulator at the same time, and the combination of these two bits is a bit hard to qualify individually. Having said that, I can honestly say that this is a combination that transforms the car. It's much more stable at higher speeds, easier to get a "set" while cornering, understeer has been dramatically reduced, and so far oversteer hasn't been an issue. It has eliminated a high-speed vibration, which I attribute to the sorry state of my stock, 50-year old bushings.
Regardless, this makes my 50-year old car behave like a proper Porsche. I would highly recommend this product.
