Gymkana suspension/ rear sway bar?

[Sensei]

I have an '81 automatic with metal leaf springs in the rear. The car has always handled particularly well, and I have read that the '81s came with fiberglass springs unless they had manual transmission or gymkana suspension. Since I have an auto trans, I assumed I had the gymkana suspension. But I also recently read that the gymkana suspension included a rear sway bar. Mine has none. The car was very unmolested when I got it, so I was wondering what the deal was.
-Did the '81 gymkana actually include rear sway bar?
Thanks and God bless, Sensei

 

[Wegone]

Yes all gymkana cars had the sway bar in the rear..How many leafs does your spring have? It should also have shorter larger diameter front springs and a larger front sway bar.

If I am not mistaken the rear steel springs are 7 & 9 leaf.

 

[GerryLP]

Chris,

Yes, the rear sway bar is part of the package.

Have you ever found the build-sheet for your car? If so, then look for RPO FE7 or ZN1. The trailering package included the FE7. Basically, the radiator is a larger capacity radiator. If not, and someday you find yourself needing to lower the gas tank, then on the front of the tank, you'll likely to find your build sheet.

GerryLP:cool

 

[Sensei]

I don't have anything to compare the coil springs to, so I don't know about them, the front bar is 1 1/8" diameter if I remember correctly. I'll check it and the number of leafs later and post what I find. God bless, Sensei

 

[Wegone]

My 77 is standard and has a 9 leaf...I will look at the 82 its an FE7 but I'm fairly sure its a 7 leaf...I'll check when I get home

 

[Sensei]

Mine has 9 leaves. So is it a Gymkana that someone took the rear bar off of? The rear fenders show evidence of minor body work that looks like the car was rear ended at one time. I assumed this was probably a very minor fender bender, but it may have damaged the rear bar, thus explaining its absence. What do you think? God bless, Sensei

 

[Wegone]

I’m fairly sure 9 leaf would be standard as this is what my 77 has, but my memory is not what it used to be…Hopefully someone else will post in and confirm. Is it an early 81?

 

[Sensei]

Yes. it is an early '81. Standard for '81s was a fiberglass spring.

 

[Wegone]

Yes. it is an early '81. Standard for '81s was a fiberglass spring.

If the build date was late 80 could be GM had to use up the old stock of steel springs first. Would be a good ? to post to other 81 owners.

Steve

 

[Zohhh6]

I’m fairly sure 9 leaf would be standard as this is what my 77 has, but my memory is not what it used to be…Hopefully someone else will post in and confirm. Is it an early 81?

Yes, 9 leaf standard.
7 leaf gymkana.

 

[Yoda]

Check out the 6th Bullet down

L81 Production Facts

Bud

 

[Wegone]

Check out the 6th Bullet down

L81 Production Facts

Bud

Well this brings up another? did the 4 speed cars have steel springs?

 

[Yoda]

Well this brings up another? did the 4 speed cars have steel springs?

Yup..

Bud

 

[Sensei]

Check out the 6th Bullet down

L81 Production Facts

Bud

Well this confirms my confusion. Mine is a seemingly unmolested old factory, '81 automatic with steel springs (9 leaves if I count correctly). Things that make you go "huh?" God bless, Sensei

 

[craig32]

Mine is a VERY late 81 (81-1/2, if you will) Fiberglass spring, and a sway bar. The previous owner made a point of showing me what he added. . .

 

[black_81_vette]

I have a FE7 car rear sway bar and 7 leaf spring .all autos got the plastic spring FE7 cars should have a steel spring and a rear bar .

 

[Sensei]

I just saw a suspension post on another forum where someone said their '81 FE7 came with 9 leaves, not 7. ????????????

 

[John Ulrich]

It's to hot to climb into the attic and count the leafs on my FE7 spring. Best thing I ever did was replace it with a fiberglass spring and add KYB G2 shocks!
JU

 

[GerryLP]

View attachment 10923

Sorry about the delay. My old scanner didn't want to work with my newer computer.

As you can see, they call it an 8-leaf spring. One can count 9 total, but the upper stubby one does not provide a function to the spring assembly. One other thing is that the 9-leaf springs for the 79's were a 1/4" more narrow.

GerryLP:cool

 

[Sensei]

Yes! That's what I have. 8 springs with the little stubby in the middle (I counted as 9). So it looks like my car is indeed a gymkana with the rear sway bar missing. I'll have to get one for it! Thanks everyone and God bless, Sensei