Are the TII Swaybars bigger than the GXL bars? If they are, would they be a worthwhile upgrade?

Cory
Just curious.

 

I have 2 seta of sway bars in my closet - one set is off of my '90 TII and the other set is off of a loaded '91 N/A (there was no GXL that year they just came loaded).

The TII bars are thicker. more noticeable in the front bar comparison.

 

I believe the vert anti-roll bars are larger than other NA's. If you're on a tight budget, I would just get the adjustable end-links from mazdatrix. The stock bars are preaty good, it is the bushings and rubber end-links that are second-rate.

 

Interesting, When I had my 87 t2 parts car I measured the thickness of the swaybar on my 89 gxl and that t2 to see if one was better. The ones on those 2 cars were the same. How much thicker were they?

 

Front: 22 mm sway bar (24 mm with the Heavy Duty suspension),

Rear: 12 mm sway bar (14 mm with the Heavy Duty suspension).

 

BTW: the heavy duty suspension was found on the T2, Sport, 88GTU, 89-90 GTUs, and all 'verts.

 

Wasn't the heavy duty suspension on the GXL as well? I thought it was tied to the 4 piston calipers and the adjustable shocks.
It would be good to know as the brake pads I will need all ask what type of suspension, size of rotors etc.
One interesting point, my 88 vert goes around a corner like its on rails.
The 90 GXL really wallows, but it could be the shocks. Suspension differences seem to be there, but what they are, I'm not sure of.
Ralf

 

No actually the GXL (and the 86 Luxury, 88 SE) all got the softest suspension. The GXL was the luxury model that Mazda figured the people that bought it were not as into performance as having all the trappings. And lets face it if you wanted performance you either got a Sport/88GTU/GTUs or a T2.

With the GXL they had the adjustable shock setup/option (depending on year) which to some degree compensated for the lower sway bar size.

 

So the GXL doesn't have the heavy duty suspension and probably the sway bars are not as thick.
That would explain all the pomp and circumstance of going around a corner, never mind the tire squealling as opposed to the convertible which just goes!