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

[jmkv]

Like the title says, would I notice a big difference if I installed them on my car.

I was looking at the perrin one..

http://www.perrinperformance.com/p/2165

Also, could I just install just the front or rear one? Any suggestions would help

[celica73]

They can make a difference, and that is NOT the bar you want to add to the car. Just because one is available doesn't mean it's the right choice.

On an otherwise stock BRZ/FRS a larger rear bar will make the car more prone to spinning and will make the limited slip differential much less effective. Neither of those things are beneficial.

A larger front bar could benefit you depending on driving style, etc.

[jmkv]

Originally Posted by celica73

They can make a difference, and that is NOT the bar you want to add to the car. Just because one is available doesn't mean it's the right choice.

On an otherwise stock BRZ/FRS a larger rear bar will make the car more prone to spinning and will make the limited slip differential much less effective. Neither of those things are beneficial.

A larger front bar could benefit you depending on driving style, etc.

Thanks! Could you explain why the perrin bar is bad or not the right choice. Tirerack also sells front and rear ones with the prokit lowering springs for $455 or so. What makes one sway bar better than the other.

[ill86]

Sure they'll make a difference. The question is, do you need aftermarket sways for a dd?

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by ill86

The question is, do you need aftermarket sways for a dd?

This.

[denverizzles]

obviously there's a difference between need and want. i'm probably on the side of the OP as i too "want" some sort of sway or strut bar, but i plan on doing some autox next summer.

IF someone wants help, lets not ask his motive, but just help the person out! that's what we're all here for right?

Anyways, OP, i would take someone experienced to drive with you to see what your driving style is, then have them decide what type of "bar" you should purchase based on your driving style

[celica73]

I'm saying that for a mostly stock car you do not want or need a HUGE rear sway bar that happens to be a WRX/STI (forgive me for not knowing the difference) sway bar. Tuning a heavy AWD car with a lot of weight bias, and drive tires on the front end is a lot different than tuning a lightish RWD car with good balance.

In the end, I agree with the folks that say "drive it." Is there some handling problem you are trying to fix? The answer should be yes before you start bolting on suspension parts.

[Draco-REX]

Do you feel the car has too much body roll? Because getting a set of sways first is just going to be about feel. They may help your handling a little bit if you've changed to stickier tires, but will likely hurt handling if you have the stock tires. I'm not convinced they are the way to go with this car early on in the suspension mod process.

On the nose-heavy, awd, understeering Imprezas, a rear sway is the #1 suspension mod to do. But on this car that is already so neutral and with so little body roll from the factory, I think by tying the left and right wheels together more will only hurt unless the spring rates are increased some as well. And even then, the increased rates could take care of the body roll on their own and retain left/right independence.

I'm doing springs before sways on this car. And they are going on in a couple days. I'll have a better idea about the spring vs. sway issue this weekend.

[Racecomp Engineering]

^ Agreed....swaybars are usually a good quick cheap first mod for Subarus, but for this car it's not quite the same. A big rear bar will cause handling issues on it's own. Front bars will be beneficial but it's important to look at the complete picture and think about what else you plan to do.

- Andrew

[R8]

Originally Posted by jmkv

Like the title says, would I notice a big difference if I installed them on my car.

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.

[jmkv]

Originally Posted by celica73

I'm saying that for a mostly stock car you do not want or need a HUGE rear sway bar that happens to be a WRX/STI (forgive me for not knowing the difference) sway bar. Tuning a heavy AWD car with a lot of weight bias, and drive tires on the front end is a lot different than tuning a lightish RWD car with good balance.

In the end, I agree with the folks that say "drive it." Is there some handling problem you are trying to fix? The answer should be yes before you start bolting on suspension parts.

I shall steer my mod bug urges towards a different path then.

[jmkv]

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.

LOL that doesnt sound too good

[Dimman]

I think Perrin is being irresponsible suggesting that their big bars are FRZ suitable. Fitment isn't the only criteria.

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by Dimman

I think Perrin is being irresponsible suggesting that their big bars are FRZ suitable. Fitment isn't the only criteria.

... Must not start Perrin rant ...