I'm in the process of a full susp. overhaul on my 94 cx. I have a 14mm gsr rear swaybar I want to install, but I've read way too many 22mm itr horror stories. I understand that the rate on the 14mm bar is drastically less than the 22mm one, but do I still have a chance of damaging the rear subframe without one of those reinforcement kits (bsq,beaks)? I have no front swaybar, and 12k front springs, 8k rear.

 

Tear out is most common when you run a really big bar with soft(er) springs which allow allow the car to roll a lot. Best thing to do is use higher rate liner springs and a bar which has a good mounting design.

 

I agree with what SPiFF says, but in your particular case i'd say getting one of the reinforcement kits would be a good preventative measure.

Plus it will be there if you ever move to a larger diameter bar like the ITR.

 

I've talked to plenty of people running the 13mm / 14mm LS / GSR swaybar set-ups without SRKs that autox/etc and they have had no problems with their subframes. 22mm is a different story.

 

I've got a 92CX with the ITR bar and I would recommend using a bar with a subframe renforcement. I've seen the ITR attachment points, and comparing them to the CX is scary, the subframe attachment points are easily half as strong at the ITR, and I've seen plenty of subframe tears.

Heck I think even SPiFFs GSR has had a rear swaybar subframe problem with the previous owner.

I'm running the Beaks Kit and think it's a good design and high quality. I've seen people make their own, or buy a bar that comes with better attachment clamps. I wouldn't run a 22mm bar without one.

 

I run a 22 itr bar on the rear of my 89 civ and have never had it tear out with any spring rate from 300-900. Aslong as you use plates to spread the load under the "D" bracket and on the other side of the cross member(so it doesn't pull or tear out) you will be fine.So yes you have to reinforce it but if you mount it properly and sandwich the crossmember with some sort of reinforcement...it shouldn't matter what rate you use.