I am thinking about purchasing a sway bar. I do not have any options yet. Was hoping to get some suggestions / opinions based on my current suspension config.

I take the car to the track occasionally and currently it handles quite neutrally.
I have to either make a mistake or tip in to the brakes before turn in to get the rear to rotate. This has worked safely and well so far but I am interested and seeing the handling differences next time I go to the track with a larger rear sway.

Zeal Super Function S 12k/8k: dropped about 1 finger gap all around.
OEM Front Strut Bar
Spoon Rear Strut Bar
Alignment: 1/8" toe out in the front, zero toe in rear.
16x7 +45 Enkei ES Tarmac wheels: 215/45-16 Michelin Pilot Sports
Tire PSI: 36 front 36 rear (side wall seems softer than OEM RE010)

Note: I do not plan on ever changing my rear rates. I know a lot of people run rear heavy springs. I'd rather try different sway bars to obtain neutral handling.

Thanks


Modified by AamirCWITR at 7:28 AM 5/11/2007

 

Assume you have 12k/8k springs ? Not sure how low you are running etc, but in any event, my guess is you have an understeering setup right now if you're running any reasonable rear tire pressure (ie greater than 20 psi) - but as you say, that might be a good thing for track depending on your experience level etc.

I don't have experience w/springs other than stock, but have found that lowering plus wheels results in understeer. I am bone stock w/15x7, +45 rims and 25 mm rear bar. This provides stock handling balance in all phases w/37, 33 psi (RT-615's) for street / AX.

I have the Cusco 25 mm non-adjustable bar (65% stiffer than stock) - relatively cheap at $250 or so and it uses stock end links. I would go with that unless you have the budget for a hollow shaft adjustable unit etc...

You could also consider stiffer rear springs, but I prefer to go with stiffer bar first, which reduces necessary spring rate (better ride).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by itrdave &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I have the Cusco 25 mm non-adjustable bar (65% stiffer than stock) - relatively cheap at $250 or so and it uses stock end links. I would go with that unless you have the budget for a hollow shaft adjustable unit etc...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Planning to get one of these also.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AamirCWITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Note: I do not plan on ever changing my rear rates. I know a lot of people run rear heavy springs. I'd rather try different sway bars to obtain neutral handling.

Thanks


Modified by AamirCWITR at 7:28 AM 5/11/2007</TD></TR></TABLE>

Why won't you change rear rates? Mainly for comfort on the street?

If I was in your position, I would just purchase a set 14k (just under 800lb) springs for the rear first before doing sways.

However, I think that if you get to a point of big rear sway on soft suspension, you will start to get tons of inner rear wheel lift and more loading of your outside front tire which may bring up other problems. (this is just a guess).

 

I would go with a Mugen 26mm rear bar. I have the Tein RA's and I tryed the JDM 23mm bar and felt very neutral good for the street but Mugen's 26mm bar is definetly better for the track. But I would run low psi's on the rear tire with the mugen bar. I run 38 front and 30 rear.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18ek &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would go with a Mugen 26mm rear bar. I have the Tein RA's and I tryed the JDM 23mm bar and felt very neutral good for the street but Mugen's 26mm bar is definetly better for the track. But I would run low psi's on the rear tire with the mugen bar. I run 38 front and 30 rear. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Why run lower PSI in the rear with a larger sway? Aren't you dialing out some of the sway bars intended effect by doing that?

 

Lowering or raising pressure past optimal can reduce the amount traction available, therefore inducing a slide at the end (at the rear therefore oversteer).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18ek &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would go with a Mugen 26mm rear bar. </TD></TR></TABLE>

...cause those are easy to find.

 

Want oversteer for free? Detach one link off of your front swaybar.

 

or you could go cheap and find you a normal integra front sway bar that is quite a bit smaller....... to get the same effect for ALOT less money......... if you decided you liked the feeling you could then opt for the stiffer rear bar if needed

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KOALA YUMMIES &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

...cause those are easy to find.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I had one for sale.. sold in 2days for $430!!!. lol

I still have the Mugen 26mm which I'm probably gonna run w/ a Cusco 25mm with 12k/14k JIC's if I don't sell them.