Sway Bars..Do they really make a difference for a DD?

[JoeBoxer]

I have oem camber bolts and spc arms, camber is close to -1.5 all around. I think the coilovers will help with the body roll while still keeping a decent ride.

[ATL BRZ]

bump, I'm on the fence about this...

[7thgear]

[Jive Turkey]

i plan on doing stock wrx sway bar in the rear (17mm) and a whiteline sway in the front (22mm) along with coils. trying to eliminate all body roll but maintaining the ease of making the car rotate. along with better tires this should work well.

[swift996]

I installed my hotchkis front and rear, turn-in is phenomenal and the car rotates easier and more consistent. The first time you feel the additional stiffness in the rear, you may think..what did I get myself into? However, you adjust your inputs quickly and master it. My car is much faster through turns and the change of direction is so firm and planted.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by swift996

I installed my hotchkis front and rear, turn-in is phenomenal and the car rotates easier and more consistent. The first time you feel the additional stiffness in the rear, you may think..what did I get myself into? However, you adjust your inputs quickly and master it. My car is much faster through turns and the change of direction is so firm and planted.

so you've been to the track and recorded an improved time after extensive testing, yes?

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

so you've been to the track and recorded an improved time after extensive testing, yes?

[swift996]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

so you've been to the track and recorded an improved time after extensive testing, yes?

Nope, I have some data logging though.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by swift996

Nope, I have some data logging though.

so according to your data logging, how much is much faster and on what type of turn? Skid pad? Slalom?

graphs? charts? before/after comparisons?


See, I'm very skeptical when people say that a mere swaybar change makes the car "much faster" because the car has no problem rotating in its OEM trim.

Most often is the case where people who perceive a flatter car feel more confident in attacking a corner and simply drive faster. Not everyone can overcome that loose feeling of the car wobbling around and back off rather than dive right into it.

Graphs graphs graphs!

[yelotoxbop]

it is important to make sure you put stiff springs in when you put a upgraded sway bar because any body roll will make the bar twist and the rt or left tire to lift in hard cornering even with stickey tires. so if you keep stock bar and go with a stiffer spring that will work . if you go with say hocthkiss comp bar and sportline eibachs progresive springs the roll will cause the bar wich is stifer to not twist enough and lose grip on one wheel. its a balance of spring and bar and tire .

[ill86]

I certainly understand the importance of track testing as it is my profession. However, it is not a necessary comparison when two drivers are involved. He gave his input and I don't believe he stated they will make you faster on track. Each individual driver will experience things and interpret them accordingly.

Suspension setup, including sway bars, are a tunable part of the chassis. It may make him faster or slower. It does not directly translate into everyone who tunes the chassis the same way will net the same results.

I appreciate the "track oriented" people on this forum. But I believe it should be done in a friendly manner. He is not required to provide any testing, graphs, or data logging. If you are interested in such things, fine. But do not place the burden of proof on the end user.

If he was selling or manufacturing sway bars and making claims that's another story.

Peace.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by ill86

But do not place the burden of proof on the end user.

I.

the burden of proof should be on everybody, at all times and on everything.

unless it is an opinion, in which case it should be stated as such.

People use forums for information

Some bloke says that he bought product X and now his car mad-fast-yo, next bloke goes apeshit and buys product X.

In the end misinformation is spread and little is learned and the overall state of enlightenment does not shift.

[NJA]

From personal experience I feel they offer enough handling improvements to justify the price. On my personal vehicle I noticed an immediate difference adding only a rear sway bar (FWD car) on the very first turn I took.

There are enough freeway on-ramps out there to make it a worthwhile mod

I would start with a front sway bar on these vehicles (nothing too large as previously mentioned in this thread) and go from there.

[sw20kosh]

Originally Posted by R8

FWIW, one end link of the front sway bar on my RX-8 broke off (common problem). Probably was that way for months. Never noticed a difference in daily driving, not even after it was fixed.

This. Same happened to me in the past.

You will not reap the benefits nor feel the difference of beefier sways untill you track the car.

If you were someone that participated in HPDE events I would suggest this route:


My plan is:

1. Drive car in stock config on track and get comfortable with the car and if you are still la beginner/intermediate, work on your driving skills (done and determined that car needs stickier rubber, slightly stiffer springs, some negative front camber & slight cosmetic drop)
2. Install RCE springs, sticky rubber, and front camber bolts and test it at the track (currently doing this)
3. Depending on 2, install koni yellows and test it at the track (also asses need for better braking system)
4. Depending on 2 & 3 install whiteline sway bar/s and maybe Sprint Big Brake kit and test it at the track
5. If the sways don't improve the car's handling then remove or adjust.

During 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 have fun and work on driving skill!!! Set up some sort of video capturing and learn from watching yourself drive.

6. Install SUPERCHARGER!!!! =)