I am looking to combat understeer in the '06 Si. Specifically, I'm looking to upgrade the rear sway bar.

I recently read a book about high-performance suspension tuning. It told me some things I already knew: negative camber allows the outside tire to have a larger contact area during hard cornering, increasing traction. A wheel that has neutral camber will gain positive camber during hard cornering, decreasing the contact patch and traction.

However, the book stated that on FWD cars with 59% of the weight in the front, stiffening the rear sway bar could cause MORE understeer, rather than reduce it. They recommend stiffening the FRONT swaybar. Counterintuitively, they say a stiffer front sway bar will reduce camber travel while cornering, resulting in increased traction and decreased understeer. Additionally, a stiffer rear sway bar can cause the rear inside tire to lift off the ground while cornering due to reduced suspension compliance, reducing understeer but at the same time, losing traction. The book also noted that this front sway bar trick is used in SCCA competition due to modification restrictions.

Stiffening the front swaybar to reduce understeer? Stiffening the rear swaybar can be bad for traction? This goes against everything I've learned about suspension geometry.

I had been planning to upgrade to a Comptech rear swaybar (when it debuts), as well as the Comptech front camber adjusters. I am looking for some slight negative camber in the front, only about a degree or so. My intentions had been to reduce the Civic's understeer issues, but now I'm thorougly confused! Can someone clear up the techno-babble please?!

 

I was always told just put a strut bar front and back and sway bars front and back then the car will handle like its on rails thats what i plan on doing.

 

I wouldnt change anything... The new Si's handles really well already

 

Wow how much did you pay for your si with all that stuff atleast $26,000 or more if you say not you got the best deal on the planet.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ...WillSI07... &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wow how much did you pay for your si with all that stuff atleast $26,000 or more if you say not you got the best deal on the planet.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 07Si's signature &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> <U>*coming soon!*</U>2007 Honda Civic Si
Rallye Red
Comptech Supercharger
Honda Satellite Navigation System
Honda 18" Alloy Wheels
OEM Front Under Spoiler
OEM Rear Under Spoiler
OEM Side Spoiler
OEM Fog Lights
Interior Gauge Trim Kit
</TD></TR></TABLE>

He hasn't gotten his car yet. They have not released the '07 to my knowledge.

 

I havent experienced ANY understeer in my FG2(HPT option), and its been run pretty hard on a few courses.. are you driving the car correctly?

 

Sounds like to me he is overdriving the car into the corner, either that or snapping the wheel instead of turning into it in a smooth motion.

 

Ive gotten understeer twice... and on the summer tires... but 70mph in a 45mph suggested corner isnt smart.

 

Front wheel drive cars understeer period.

I have the Progress rear sway-bar on my car and it did anything but induce more understeer. The car rotates much easier, now, and throttle-off in a corner makes the car incredibly neutral with a hint of oversteer.

I have never been more satisfied with the purchase of an aftermarket part for a car in my life. Totally worth the money.

PS: I am more than familiar with oversteer/understeer and driving a FWD car at the limits. I've been autocrossing for the past 6 years, and have just recently gotten into track days. I am more than aware of what a car feels like at the limits.

A great set of tires and that sway-bar and understeer worries will be almost completely taken care of (except for when the car is driven past its limits).