I have a swapped Accord. With the added weight to the front of the car, I am experiencing more understeer than I did before the swap. Now, I had a S/T rear sway bar with the old SOHC, but now with the H22, the stock understeer is back. I was always taught that if you are having more understeer, that a larger rear bar is called for. But, a friend of mine suggested that the added weight of the H22 (although not really that much) could be counteracted by adding a front sway bar. I think what he means is that adding a front bar will keep the car from rolling, which will keep weight from transferring, and lessen the understeer.

So, would a front sway-bar help my situation at all?

 

i was not aware of a H22 weighing significantly more than a F22 series. Those engines are approximately the same weight and deminsions...I'd check to see if anything is worn on your car's suspension

 

yep, it sure does weigh a bit more. i would guess somewhere between 40-50 lbs. the cylinder head is a bit bigger, extra set of cams, and the block has a bit more material, etc. it isn't much, but i'm thinking it was just enough to upset the handling a bit.

also, if it matters, I have stiffer springs than is normal with my g/c coilovers. also, i have played with my koni yellows, and haven't been able to find the perfect setting..

 

Considering the engine weight contributes weight below the roll center, I think it can still have some effect (but I wouldn't discount some contribution the high-rate springs in the g/c coil-overs may have)
General rule of thumb:
The heavier weight calls for a heavier bar.
Rear engine cars have the heavier bar in the rear, etc.

The sway bar manufacturers may know something we don't. When they add a rear bar to the package, the front bar gets larger....
Much like the EX suspension package.

P

 

I did some research, and I tend to agree with you. My car has the stock front EX sway-bar, with the larger rear sway bar (22mm I think). I think I will try to find a ST front sway bar and see what happens. Thanks!!

 

i think the H22 is lighter than the F22 because the H22 has an aluminum block and sleeves. The F22 has cast iron sleeves. Thats a big weight factor right there. H22 head will be a lil more heavy but not too much.