Torsion Bar Ride Quality

[25fabworks]

Can my Tahoe use torsion bars STIFFER than 'XM'? Looks like XM were the stiffest GM OE torsion bars for GMT800 suvs, including PPVs / SSVs,
as well as 4WD Suburbans & Avalanches 1500.

If GMT800 1500 pickup trucks came with OE Z85 / Z60 handling package using WZ / YK / YT bars,
why can't I 'get away with' using at least WY / YH bars?

(Hummer H2 bars look like they'd be WAY too stiff for any Tahoe ...)

My 'phantasy' is a Tahoe that can 'intercept' GMT821 PPV, using parts loosely interpreted as 'GM OE':
6.0L, 4.10s, and a suspension built from OTHER GM OE parts where possible, especially for the suspension, I.E: a GMT921 PPV rear sway bar.

I wouldn't see why you couldn't use longer bars. Just see if you have the room to move the entire mount back. Checkout that torsion bar thread and you should have a good idea. You could also crank your current bars up a bit. They'll stiffen up if you twist them a bit. Just don't overdo it.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I wouldn't see why you couldn't use longer bars. Just see if you have the room to move the entire mount back.

Hoping it won't be necessary to move the mount back ...

You could also crank your current bars up a bit. They'll stiffen up if you twist them a bit. Just don't overdo it.

Don't think I know enough about 'twisting' torsion bars to stiffen them, to prefer this over choosing a stiffer torsion bar ...

 

[JorgeS]

You may already know this...
A longer bar is a softer bar
A larger (diameter) bar is a stiffer bar.
There is math that can give you compararive stiffness between bars as you vary the diameter and the length.
I say "comparative" because the final effect on ride dependsnon many factors.