Need help with sway bar purchase

[ngabdala]

I've decided to get some sway bars for my BRZ. Currently, I'm looking at the Cusco front and rear. I'm not sure if I should choose another brand.

There are different sizes. Some fixed some adjustable.

I'm new to modding. I'm concentrating on the suspension first. I figured this would be a good way to go. After the winter I'll be buying coilovers, wheels, and sticky tires.

So my question is do I go with fixed or adjustable sway bars and which mm?
I see 14mm, 16mm, 20mm for the Cuscos

[jamal]

Stop.

What are you trying to change? What don't you like about the suspension and handling as it is?

[cnk]

I think before anyone can answer that question, you need to figure out what you are getting the sway bars for, i.e. type of driving, handling that you expect, etc. For example, put a larger rear bar and you could get snap oversteer. If that's what you want, great. If not, you could get yourself into some trouble. Larger front bar, more understeer possibly. Don't get something just for the sake of saying you have it. If you're happy with the way the car handles now, don't mod just for the sake of mod'ing.

[ngabdala]

I want better handling. I love kicking the rear out with the stock setup. I thought this would make things more fun for me. Also, a big concern is when I buy stickier tires and slightly larger wheels because I fear losing that and I watched the Rallysportdirect video about how the sway bars brought the ability to kick the rear out after they bought stickier tires and larger wheels.

Originally Posted by jamal

Stop.

What are you trying to change? What don't you like about the suspension and handling as it is?

[cnk]

I would suggest you get the tires/rims first and see how you like it. Then go from there.

[ngabdala]

Appreciate the info. I do feel there is a bit too much understeer for me.

I could def wait until I get the wheels and tires after the winter.

Originally Posted by cnk

I would suggest you get the tires/rims first and see how you like it. Then go from there.

[cnk]

Oversteer in the winter can be fun or it can be an expensive lesson to learn. Just something to keep in mind. Especially when the snow/ice starts up.

[ngabdala]

Noted. I guess snow tires and and coilovers will be my next purchase. I'll probably wait until after the winter to buy them. People have recommended BC Racing street because mine will mostly be a DD with an occasional autoX / track.

$999 isn't too bad in the realm of coilover prices

Originally Posted by cnk

Oversteer in the winter can be fun or it can be an expensive lesson to learn. Just something to keep in mind. Especially when the snow/ice starts up.

[ayau]

you should probably read about autox class regulations before you start adding/swapping parts. the class you race in will dictate what you can and can't change.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by ngabdala

I want better handling. I love kicking the rear out with the stock setup. I thought this would make things more fun for me. Also, a big concern is when I buy stickier tires and slightly larger wheels because I fear losing that and I watched the Rallysportdirect video about how the sway bars brought the ability to kick the rear out after they bought stickier tires and larger wheels.

define 'better'. do you just mean kicking the rear end out? if you put sticky tires, you won't really be able to just kick the rear out since this car doesn't have a lot of power. i mean, you can, but since the limits of adhesion are much higher, you're going to put yourself and others in danger. the stock tires are relatively safe since grip can be lost at relatively low speeds.

i would suggest you track your car first to get a feel for it.

modding car isn't like building legos; you can't just buy part A and then part B and hope that they all work together. you need to think about it as a package.

for example, you add a stiffer front sway bar. keeping everything else the same, you will most likely induce more understeer because stock front tires simply don't have enough grip to shift the weight to the outside wheel. to compensate, you'll want stickier tires to actually utilize that stiffer front end.

someone please correct me if i'm wrong as i'm still relatively new to chassis dynamics.

[Wolfking]

Originally Posted by ngabdala

I've decided to get some sway bars for my BRZ. Currently, I'm looking at the Cusco front and rear. I'm not sure if I should choose another brand.

I'm new to modding. I'm concentrating on the suspension first. I figured this would be a good way to go. After the winter I'll be buying coilovers, wheels, and sticky tires.

So my question is do I go with fixed or adjustable sway bars and which mm?
I see 14mm, 16mm, 20mm for the Cuscos

I've heard that the BRZ understeers a bit in comparison to my FRS. Stiffening an already rigid structure could only make it worse, I'd imagine. "you can over stiffen a car." If you absolutely must add parts, it makes sense to go with adjustable (settings) parts. You may find one setting more favorable over the others, is why! I'd also look at a front strut tower bar ( STB) before screwing with swaybars. As for Cusco...they are $$ for a reason. There are others. Tanabe, Eibach, all good.

Lowering a bit and providing wider tires make a big difference. neither of which call for upgraded sway bars. I'm partial to 225/45/17. I ran this set up on a 1998 S14 / 240sx SE for years. My car did "everything I commanded!"...an well! (daily driver)

Good luck and don't !@#$% up your car!

[86drift]

Originally Posted by ngabdala

I want better handling. I love kicking the rear out with the stock setup. I thought this would make things more fun for me. Also, a big concern is when I buy stickier tires and slightly larger wheels because I fear losing that and I watched the Rallysportdirect video about how the sway bars brought the ability to kick the rear out after they bought stickier tires and larger wheels.

I'd recommend the 3 point adjustable rear Whiteline bar. It will reduce understeer and therefore bring about more oversteer.
I tried it on the track, it's a hell a lot of fun. The adjustment allows you to change it to suit your driving style.

[Nardi330]

Originally Posted by 86drift

I'd recommend the 3 point adjustable rear Whiteline bar. It will reduce understeer and therefore bring about more oversteer.
I tried it on the track, it's a hell a lot of fun. The adjustment allows you to change it to suit your driving style.

So you only changed the rear? Which size rear sway bar did u use?

Thanks

[86drift]

Originally Posted by Nardi330

So you only changed the rear? Which size rear sway bar did u use?

Thanks

I tried a few combos. I have the 16mm rear bar. I wouldn't recommended the 18mm without upgrading the front also.

A note on upgrading just the rear bar. It makes the car way more tail happy! Which is great for drifting. If you're on the track it'll take more skill/effort to drive but you can achieve better lap times by managing the oversteer with your right foot.