Ok, so as money is tight right now I am doing my best to build on a budget until i can get a little better cash influx. That being said I would like to look into replacing bushings, and will start a new thread pertaining to that shortly. So upon purchasing my car I saw the "Progress" decal on the side of the rear quarter window thinking "Ok, cool, the rear sway has been upgraded that's one less thing to change". Much to my disappointment, however, during my first oil change i hit my head on this crossmember behind the oil pan..... well that doesnt make sense thinking I, but this must be a crossmember because of the actual size and thickness of this beam that is linking my frame together. No. As it happens, the previous owner (for reasons that are far beyond my grasp) upgraded the FRONT sway bar with a massive progress sway bar, leaving the rear stock. So that answers my questions about why I have crazy understeer. My question for you guys is whether I should search for an even bigger rear sway bar to compensate ( traditionally i know that you usually upgrade the rear and leave the front stock to create a little oversteer. something Honda's and FWD lack), or if I should purchase a stock or even maybe a dx (even thinner. if they come with them, i know older honda's some trim's didnt come with them i think :-/) sway bar and then upgrade the rear. The reason I am asking is because I am wanting to replace some bushings but dont wanna buy certain bushings if I am going to be changing out bars comming up. Please offer me your insight as I currently am lost for what to do.

EDIT: CAR IS A 2002 EP3

 

I would leave it and upgrade the rear to match. If then you don't like it I know you could easily find someone to trade with and cash on top.

 

Here's a couple of 'must' reads that should point you in the right direction:

Basic Swaybar Tuning for the EP3
http://forums.clubep3.com/showthread.php?t=614939

EP3/DC5 Suspension Design
http://forums.clubep3.com/showthread.php?t=569763

Swaybar Size Thread
http://forums.clubep3.com/showthread.php?t=567637

 

I actually have a stock EP3 front sway bar from my old 2002 EP3 if you want it. $5 + shipping? lol

 

I wonder if the ep3's front camber curves are bad enough to benefit from the roll reduction from a larger front sway bar (at least in a autocross setting) like some other poorly engineered fwd's... my guess is yes...

Either way you should have great transition/slalom speed & stability.

 

I had a Tanabe front sway bar and Progress rear on my ep and could get it to rotate in the rear at on a local circuit. Although, I had Tokico adjustment struts as well. Handled better than my STi suspension (not drivetrain) wise.

 

Skoundrel Id be interested in your stock front just for comparison purposes, but i would also need the mounts. It seems to me like the cornering is very enunciated.. then again i am comparing handling to my crx so idk.... thats why i would be interested in a stock setup then switching back to where i am now to see which i like best and go from there

 

Here's a pic of it (top one)



Has the endlinks and the bushings but I'm not sure if I have the bolts and those metal brackets. If you still want it, let me know. I gotta find a box big enough