rear sway bar question - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

kravi · 11-23-2016, 11:58 PM

So I'd like to find some answers to some rear sway bar confusion. @CSGMike recommends getting a stronger, stiffer rear sway bar because it helps resolve some understear issues. But a lot of the folks I autox with actually detach the rear sway bar (on one side, and keep it from moving around with a piece of wire). Why the two thoughts? Can anyone explain to me the logic behind both of these opposing approaches? Apologies if this is a very basic question, but it something that has been bugging me for some time.

Thanks!

--Me

CSG Mike · 11-24-2016, 01:39 AM

Track people value static cornering. Autox people value fast transitioning.

Disconnecting a rear sway is somewhat the similar effect as a larger front sway, and lets the rear roll more while keeping the tire on the ground.

Different purposes.

kravi · 11-24-2016, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Track people value static cornering. Autox people value fast transitioning.

Disconnecting a rear sway is somewhat the similar effect as a larger front sway, and lets the rear roll more while keeping the tire on the ground.

Different purposes.

Wow, that was succinct, to the point, and made everything clear. Weird to think those posts really do exit. Gracias, jefe!

--Me

solort · 11-24-2016, 11:52 AM

I found the stock tires (standard on a Prius) to be nearly undriveable at speed and may be causing you some understeer issues. With good tires and BRZ crash bolts up front (for more negative camber which will also help with understeer), I found a 20mm front swaybar and good sticky summer tires (Tirerack is closing out their Continental DW tires in a 225/45-17 for $82.25 each, and is an excellent tire for dry and rain) to be a well balanced option and gives you a very neutral handling car for few $s...

CSG Mike · 11-24-2016, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solort

I found the stock tires (standard on a Prius) to be nearly undriveable at speed and may be causing you some understeer issues. With good tires and BRZ crash bolts up front (for more negative camber which will also help with understeer), I found a 20mm front swaybar and good sticky summer tires (Tirerack is closing out their Continental DW tires in a 225/45-17 for $82.25 each, and is an excellent tire for dry and rain) to be a well balanced option and gives you a very neutral handling car for few $s...

The squishy sidewall and tread squirm hurt response, and as a result, cause people to give the steering more response than is actually needed. Slow down your inputs and listen to what the car is telling you with the stock tires.

solort · 11-24-2016, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

The squishy sidewall and tread squirm hurt response, and as a result, cause people to give the steering more response than is actually needed. Slow down your inputs and listen to what the car is telling you with the stock tires.

The ultra high hard rubber compound with the soft sidewalls make the stock tires suck no matter how slow you drive. Good tires make he biggest handling improvement since they connect your car to the road. I have used the Bridgestone Re71R tires very successfully in autocross.

kravi · 11-24-2016, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solort

The ultra high hard rubber compound with the soft sidewalls make the stock tires suck no matter how slow you drive. Good tires make he biggest handling improvement since they connect your car to the road. I have used the Bridgestone Re71R tires very successfully in autocross.

Mine is a daily driver as well, so I've been using Star Spec IIs this year. Good compromise for me. The RE71s just don't last that long.

Thanks,

--Me

CSG Mike · 11-24-2016, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solort

The ultra high hard rubber compound with the soft sidewalls make the stock tires suck no matter how slow you drive. Good tires make he biggest handling improvement since they connect your car to the road. I have used the Bridgestone Re71R tires very successfully in autocross.

I had no issues tracking the stock tires.

You can adapt to the tires, or you can adapt the car to you; two different ways to get the job done.

solort · 11-24-2016, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kravi

Mine is a daily driver as well, so I've been using Star Spec IIs this year. Good compromise for me. The RE71s just don't last that long.

Thanks,

--Me

Star Spec IIs are a great street tire! But if your car is pushing with them, you may just be overdriving them. More neg camber in front will help a lot with the understeer.

I have done my own alignments for over 20 years (as well as custom alignments/ suspension components to help balance the car). I have found the best way to set up a car is to maximize the front end grip, then adjust the rear to give you your desired handling characteristics.

You won't really know how your car is going to handle till you turn off the handling nannies. The 6 second traction control button old till the TCS and VSC and allows you to control the car. When I have tried the pedal dance at an autocross, the car felt more pushy, so I just do the TCS button hold...

kravi · 11-25-2016, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solort

Star Spec IIs are a great street tire! But if your car is pushing with them, you may just be overdriving them. More neg camber in front will help a lot with the understeer.

I have done my own alignments for over 20 years (as well as custom alignments/ suspension components to help balance the car). I have found the best way to set up a car is to maximize the front end grip, then adjust the rear to give you your desired handling characteristics.

You won't really know how your car is going to handle till you turn off the handling nannies. The 6 second traction control button old till the TCS and VSC and allows you to control the car. When I have tried the pedal dance at an autocross, the car felt more pushy, so I just do the TCS button hold...

I'm pretty comfortable with where my car is right now, I just was trying to figure out the disconnect between what CSG Mike had said (which is track related) and what the folks I autox with say. Wasn't sure what and what, but he summed it up nicely. Track (which I have no experience with) wants different characteristics than autox. I'm cool with it!

Thanks folks!

--Me

algs26 · 11-28-2016, 01:50 AM

Also, spin out at 50mph, no big deal. Spinning out at 100mph, not so fun.

endless_pain · 11-28-2016, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by algs26

Also, spin out at 50mph, no big deal. Spinning out at 100mph, not so fun.

Ohhh, it can be fun!
This was a buddy recently.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS0kyZEzZpE"]100mph spin in heavy rain at VIR - YouTube[/ame]

11-23-2016, 11:58 PM	#1
kravi Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: Maryland Posts: 56 Thanks: 57 Thanked 13 Times in 10 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	rear sway bar question So I'd like to find some answers to some rear sway bar confusion. @CSGMike recommends getting a stronger, stiffer rear sway bar because it helps resolve some understear issues. But a lot of the folks I autox with actually detach the rear sway bar (on one side, and keep it from moving around with a piece of wire). Why the two thoughts? Can anyone explain to me the logic behind both of these opposing approaches? Apologies if this is a very basic question, but it something that has been bugging me for some time. Thanks! --Me

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11-24-2016, 01:39 AM	#2
CSG Mike Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: S2000 CR Location: Orange County Posts: 14,530 Thanks: 8,920 Thanked 14,177 Times in 6,835 Posts Mentioned: 966 Post(s) Tagged: 14 Thread(s)	Track people value static cornering. Autox people value fast transitioning. Disconnecting a rear sway is somewhat the similar effect as a larger front sway, and lets the rear roll more while keeping the tire on the ground. Different purposes.

11-24-2016, 11:52 AM	#4
solort Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Drives: Series 10 FRS Location: AL Posts: 177 Thanks: 3 Thanked 30 Times in 19 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I found the stock tires (standard on a Prius) to be nearly undriveable at speed and may be causing you some understeer issues. With good tires and BRZ crash bolts up front (for more negative camber which will also help with understeer), I found a 20mm front swaybar and good sticky summer tires (Tirerack is closing out their Continental DW tires in a 225/45-17 for $82.25 each, and is an excellent tire for dry and rain) to be a well balanced option and gives you a very neutral handling car for few $s...

11-28-2016, 01:50 AM	#11
algs26 Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Drives: silver frs Location: norcal Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 27 Times in 7 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Also, spin out at 50mph, no big deal. Spinning out at 100mph, not so fun.

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