Only upgrading GT rear sway bar. Good idea?
09-04-2012, 02:13 PM
#1
4th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 1,313
Only upgrading GT rear sway bar. Good idea?
After much thought, I have decided on Koni yellows, Steeda HD mounts, and either steeda sports (most likely) or Steeda Ultralites (wonder if the added drop is worth it).
Since I am on a budget, and since I am going with more expensive shocks, I have decided to tackle the install job myself. Been reading the write-ups and watching youtube vids.
If I can accomplish the install myself, that leaves enough in the budget for sway bars too.
In all this re-reading I came across some threads that had numerous well written posts from the likes of F1Fan etc. back when the S197 first debuted. The overall recommendation at that time was that the GT front sway was good but that the rear was the weak link and that to only upsize the rear bar. This would result in a better balance with the front and reduce understeer. At that time, the bigger companies (eibach, FRP, steeda, Hotchkiss, BMR) that had replacement front bars were 35 mm bars that were either tubular or solid. All of them were only increasing the front bar stiffness buy 10%. Since the front bars were not adding significant stiffness (rear bars were increasing stiffness by 50%), and increasing the front bar stiffness would just increase understeer, most everyone at the time was saying just get a bigger rear bar.
Only getting one sway bar helps my budget but is this still a good recommendation? I can always add a bigger front bar later when my budget allows and if I feel the balance and body roll needs further improvement, but is this a good idea still?
I plan on getting Strano's rear 1 inch tubular adjustable bar.
Since I am on a budget, and since I am going with more expensive shocks, I have decided to tackle the install job myself. Been reading the write-ups and watching youtube vids.
If I can accomplish the install myself, that leaves enough in the budget for sway bars too.
In all this re-reading I came across some threads that had numerous well written posts from the likes of F1Fan etc. back when the S197 first debuted. The overall recommendation at that time was that the GT front sway was good but that the rear was the weak link and that to only upsize the rear bar. This would result in a better balance with the front and reduce understeer. At that time, the bigger companies (eibach, FRP, steeda, Hotchkiss, BMR) that had replacement front bars were 35 mm bars that were either tubular or solid. All of them were only increasing the front bar stiffness buy 10%. Since the front bars were not adding significant stiffness (rear bars were increasing stiffness by 50%), and increasing the front bar stiffness would just increase understeer, most everyone at the time was saying just get a bigger rear bar.
Only getting one sway bar helps my budget but is this still a good recommendation? I can always add a bigger front bar later when my budget allows and if I feel the balance and body roll needs further improvement, but is this a good idea still?
I plan on getting Strano's rear 1 inch tubular adjustable bar.
09-05-2012, 01:28 AM
#2
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: none
Posts: 5
am also going with the same setup as yours but with steeda sports and now you mention the rear sway bar thing i might consider that as well , am completely noob when it come to the suspension thing and started to read here and there and i came up with this setup 
am also considering steeda LCA!! what you think about that .
sorry for hijacking your post but it seams you and i in the same boat
am also considering steeda LCA!! what you think about that .sorry for hijacking your post but it seams you and i in the same boat
09-05-2012, 09:10 AM
#3
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: La
Posts: 113
The front bar on my 2010 (not sure about previous models) is 34.6mm compared to most 35mm aftermarket bars. I did install FRPP's adjustable front bar because of the adjustability of the bar. I autocross and notice a lot less understeer after adjusting the bar. I do have their rear bar as well. After installing FRPP P springs about a week ago I think I need to adjust it again to make up for the increased oversteer I have now. If you do get a bar, try to get one you can adjust.
09-05-2012, 04:01 PM
#4
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 1,313
I also plan on getting adj sways.
J95SNAKE, so after you lowered it u picked up more oversteer so you made the front adj sway bar stiffer to bring in more understeer? Why didn't you just adjust ur rear bar to take away some oversteer?
09-05-2012, 09:17 PM
#5
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: La
Posts: 113
LCAs are fine, if you get adjustables you will able to correct your pinion angle after lowering if needed. I have both a one piece DS and adj LCAs.
I also plan on getting adj sways.
J95SNAKE, so after you lowered it u picked up more oversteer so you made the front adj sway bar stiffer to bring in more understeer? Why didn't you just adjust ur rear bar to take away some oversteer?
I also plan on getting adj sways.
J95SNAKE, so after you lowered it u picked up more oversteer so you made the front adj sway bar stiffer to bring in more understeer? Why didn't you just adjust ur rear bar to take away some oversteer?
09-06-2012, 01:11 AM
#6
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: none
Posts: 5
LCAs are fine, if you get adjustables you will able to correct your pinion angle after lowering if needed. I have both a one piece DS and adj LCAs.
I also plan on getting adj sways.
J95SNAKE, so after you lowered it u picked up more oversteer so you made the front adj sway bar stiffer to bring in more understeer? Why didn't you just adjust ur rear bar to take away some oversteer?
I also plan on getting adj sways.
J95SNAKE, so after you lowered it u picked up more oversteer so you made the front adj sway bar stiffer to bring in more understeer? Why didn't you just adjust ur rear bar to take away some oversteer?
sounds good i was thinking about normal LCAs or adj but i'll go with the adj one now thanks for the infos
09-06-2012, 03:58 PM
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2012
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Posts: 778
After much thought, I have decided on Koni yellows, Steeda HD mounts, and either steeda sports (most likely) or Steeda Ultralites (wonder if the added drop is worth it).
Since I am on a budget, and since I am going with more expensive shocks, I have decided to tackle the install job myself. Been reading the write-ups and watching youtube vids.
If I can accomplish the install myself, that leaves enough in the budget for sway bars too.
In all this re-reading I came across some threads that had numerous well written posts from the likes of F1Fan etc. back when the S197 first debuted. The overall recommendation at that time was that the GT front sway was good but that the rear was the weak link and that to only upsize the rear bar. This would result in a better balance with the front and reduce understeer. At that time, the bigger companies (eibach, FRP, steeda, Hotchkiss, BMR) that had replacement front bars were 35 mm bars that were either tubular or solid. All of them were only increasing the front bar stiffness buy 10%. Since the front bars were not adding significant stiffness (rear bars were increasing stiffness by 50%), and increasing the front bar stiffness would just increase understeer, most everyone at the time was saying just get a bigger rear bar.
Only getting one sway bar helps my budget but is this still a good recommendation? I can always add a bigger front bar later when my budget allows and if I feel the balance and body roll needs further improvement, but is this a good idea still?
I plan on getting Strano's rear 1 inch tubular adjustable bar.
Since I am on a budget, and since I am going with more expensive shocks, I have decided to tackle the install job myself. Been reading the write-ups and watching youtube vids.
If I can accomplish the install myself, that leaves enough in the budget for sway bars too.
In all this re-reading I came across some threads that had numerous well written posts from the likes of F1Fan etc. back when the S197 first debuted. The overall recommendation at that time was that the GT front sway was good but that the rear was the weak link and that to only upsize the rear bar. This would result in a better balance with the front and reduce understeer. At that time, the bigger companies (eibach, FRP, steeda, Hotchkiss, BMR) that had replacement front bars were 35 mm bars that were either tubular or solid. All of them were only increasing the front bar stiffness buy 10%. Since the front bars were not adding significant stiffness (rear bars were increasing stiffness by 50%), and increasing the front bar stiffness would just increase understeer, most everyone at the time was saying just get a bigger rear bar.
Only getting one sway bar helps my budget but is this still a good recommendation? I can always add a bigger front bar later when my budget allows and if I feel the balance and body roll needs further improvement, but is this a good idea still?
I plan on getting Strano's rear 1 inch tubular adjustable bar.
09-07-2012, 02:37 AM
#8
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 1,313
09-08-2012, 12:30 PM
#9
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 13,322
Front and rear sways work together so adding a bigger rear sway
and leaving the OEM front will alter the high speed cornering in a big way.
Be sure and get used to the new handling before throwing it into
a corner at high speeds or swapping lanes in a panic situation
at highway speeds.
This could get ugly really quick with 17" 50 series tall sidewall stock tires/rims.
and leaving the OEM front will alter the high speed cornering in a big way.
Be sure and get used to the new handling before throwing it into
a corner at high speeds or swapping lanes in a panic situation
at highway speeds.
This could get ugly really quick with 17" 50 series tall sidewall stock tires/rims.
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