Why didn't I try this sooner?
#1
Why didn't I try this sooner?
So I got fed up with the back stepping out on hard turns. I had the car up on the lift at work the other day to get a good look at the under carriage. I had noticed the rear sway bar was bent while installing the Coachman IST several months ago. I didn't do it... It must have been the original owner hot rodding over a speed bump or something! It takes a good impact to bend a sway bar. I confirmed that it was fubar while on the lift. Anyway... I've read about the affects a sway bar can have on handling when bushings go bad and when you lower or stiffen the suspension. I opted to remove it altogether as I've heard of autoX'ers doing it with good results.
WOW! It feels more like my old Miata R package. I can take turns with much more confidence now and have yet to break traction. Not to mention it saves like 5 pounds of weight, and no more squeeking! This encourages me to upgrade to a few more T3 products.
WOW! It feels more like my old Miata R package. I can take turns with much more confidence now and have yet to break traction. Not to mention it saves like 5 pounds of weight, and no more squeeking! This encourages me to upgrade to a few more T3 products.
#3
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i've been doing this since the late 90's. i don't always do it, my 83LE i left it, but my GSL-SE and Peepers had it removed
Stu, its hard to describe exactly what it does, but basically removing the sway bar makes the chassis respond more linearly to steering/throttle inputs. it actually doesn't really change the under/oversteer balance that much.
its very easy, 6 fasteners, so try it, if you don't like it, it goes right back on
Stu, its hard to describe exactly what it does, but basically removing the sway bar makes the chassis respond more linearly to steering/throttle inputs. it actually doesn't really change the under/oversteer balance that much.
its very easy, 6 fasteners, so try it, if you don't like it, it goes right back on
#4
HeyHeyHey..Its the Goose
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My 79' doesn't have a rear sway bar. The 84' GS I have has a rear swaybar. The cars are VERY different so a comparison is difficult. The 79' has newer tires and tired worn bushings everywhere, and the 84' has crap "mastercraft" tires and less worn bushings. I can say the 84 with the rear bar does seem more flat on turns, but the tires break traction faster, shitty brand rubber will do that though.
#5
I was going to blame my tires, but now Im not sure it was them at all. Just basic Kumho Ecstas in a 205-50-15. Id like to upgrade to a better tire eventually. Now I can save money and only need a new front sway bar. I will eventually upgrade to T3 trailing and traction rods. Maybe control arms and RCAs too. He says hes developing more goodies, but I dont want to spoil it...
Last edited by NCross; 06-30-15 at 07:20 AM.
#6
Waffles - hmmm good
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The problem is the sway bar tends to lift the inner wheel on turns much like a FWD
would and results in loss traction. I still have my on because, well, it's kind of fun that
way. If I were to autox, it would be the first mod I would do. Keeps more traction on the ground on turns.
would and results in loss traction. I still have my on because, well, it's kind of fun that
way. If I were to autox, it would be the first mod I would do. Keeps more traction on the ground on turns.
#7
Always Wanting to Learn
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I was going to blame my tires, but now Im not sure it was them at all. Just basic Kumho Ecstas in a 205-50-15. Id like to upgrade to a better tire eventually. Now I can save money and only need a new front sway bar. I will eventually upgrade to T3 trailing and traction rods. Maybe control arms and RCAs too. He says hes developing more goodies, but I dont want to spoil it...
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#9
Senior Member
They told me the same thing like 1.5 years ago hahah. I messaged them last month again as I'm about to place a small order. Asked if they had anything in the works and was told nope :S
#10
My wife bought me 2 RX-7s
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Back when I was still doing the parking-lot-racing, removing the rear bar made medium-speed turns much more controllable but it did make the very low-speed tight stuff more of a chore. Overall, I was happy with the bar off.
#11
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The problem is the sway bar tends to lift the inner wheel on turns much like a FWD
would and results in loss traction. I still have my on because, well, it's kind of fun that
way. If I were to autox, it would be the first mod I would do. Keeps more traction on the ground on turns.
would and results in loss traction. I still have my on because, well, it's kind of fun that
way. If I were to autox, it would be the first mod I would do. Keeps more traction on the ground on turns.
Unfortunately, rear camber can not be adjusted, but I am installing adjustable control arms for the front end to maximize negative camber without cutting the front strut tower boxes.
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