Race Car Tech Discuss anything related to road racing and auto X.

Tri-Point front sway bar

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 24, 2012 | 08:40 PM
  #1  
Dave McLaughlin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Tri-Point front sway bar

Hey folks,
I'm looking for a Tri-Point front sway bar with brace kit. I know it's a long shot but worth a try. Looking for the .188" diameter. Hoping there is someone that ordered one and never installed, or used; either way. I can get a new one from Tri-point but, I'm looking for the "low rent" "track -ho" price if possible...lol. Thanks!

Dave
Reply
Old May 26, 2012 | 12:13 AM
  #2  
clubber's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: South Jordan UT
A .188" sway bar is by FAR the smallest I've ever heard of. Are you sure that's the size? It would essentially do nothing to reduce the lean but whatever.
Reply
Old May 26, 2012 | 12:45 AM
  #3  
gkmccready's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: SFBay
Originally Posted by clubber
A .188" sway bar is by FAR the smallest I've ever heard of. Are you sure that's the size? It would essentially do nothing to reduce the lean but whatever.
.188" is the wall thickness, not the diameter.

http://tripointengineering.com/produ...5693f4950c2086
Reply
Old May 26, 2012 | 06:30 AM
  #4  
Dave McLaughlin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Originally Posted by gkmccready
.188" is the wall thickness, not the diameter.

http://tripointengineering.com/produ...5693f4950c2086
Thanks for clarifying. Wall thickness is what I was referring to. I'm staying with the
stock rear as suggested by Fritz and Brent. Tri-Point has three wall thicknesses. The .250" is too stiff for my application. Cheers!
Reply
Old May 28, 2012 | 10:56 PM
  #5  
Brent Dalton's Avatar
Sua Sponte
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,125
Likes: 9
From: Germany
Dave, I may have something for you. I have a similar one that I bought from Fritz a few years ago. I'll shoot you a PM when I get a chance.
Reply
Old May 29, 2012 | 07:06 AM
  #6  
Dave McLaughlin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Originally Posted by Brent Dalton
Dave, I may have something for you. I have a similar one that I bought from Fritz a few years ago. I'll shoot you a PM when I get a chance.
Please do Brent. I was going to call Tri-Point this afternoon. I'll wait to hear
from you!

Cheers
Reply
Old May 29, 2012 | 03:44 PM
  #7  
PandazRx-7's Avatar
Fast + Reliable = $$$$$
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: SoCal
Been mentioned before that Tri-point gets the bars from here, but you'd still need to source the arms I believe...

http://www.1speedway.com/Swaybars.htm
Reply
Old May 29, 2012 | 04:35 PM
  #8  
swilson@assetworks.com's Avatar
Old and In the Way
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 668
Likes: 1
From: New Braunfels, Texas
Not sure but I think that you can buy these from MazdaSpeed without being a registered race team. Since this is an aftermarket part. I know you can only buy OEM parts if you are registered. They sell the arms and links as a separate part # from the bars.
Reply
Old May 29, 2012 | 06:14 PM
  #9  
Dave McLaughlin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Originally Posted by swilson@assetworks.com
Not sure but I think that you can buy these from MazdaSpeed without being a registered race team. Since this is an aftermarket part. I know you can only buy OEM parts if you are registered. They sell the arms and links as a separate part # from the bars.
I called Mazda Motorsports last week. They never called me back. I do have an account. They had the bar listed there, he said he would have to check current
pricing. Thanks for the input. It seems the brace kit upgrading the mount,
is just as important as the bar itself. The adjustment capability is a big deal
as well. Cheers!
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 03:07 PM
  #10  
swilson@assetworks.com's Avatar
Old and In the Way
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 668
Likes: 1
From: New Braunfels, Texas
When you say the "brace kit" are you talking about the longitudinal braces and the bronze bar mounts?
I think that most that run this bar just upgrade the Mazda sway bar mounts and use the standard poly mounts that come with the kit and bolt to the stock mounts. The bronze mounts can't be used without the longitudinal Tri-Point braces as the bolt spacing of these mounts is much wider than the stock sway bar mounting points.
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 06:37 PM
  #11  
Brent Dalton's Avatar
Sua Sponte
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,125
Likes: 9
From: Germany
Dave, i haven't forgot about you. I've just been really busy. I'll shoot you a PM tonight when I get home.
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 06:42 PM
  #12  
D Walker's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
From: Denver
I build these bars, currently have them on my RX-8's. If you are interested feel free to contact me.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2012 | 08:47 AM
  #13  
Dave McLaughlin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Originally Posted by D Walker
I build these bars, currently have them on my RX-8's. If you are interested feel free to contact me.
Hey Bud,
Send me a PM and let me know pricing, etc. I really appreciate your knowledge and input.

Dave
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2012 | 09:07 PM
  #14  
BLUE TII's Avatar
Rotary Motoring
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,479
Likes: 932
From: CA
When you say the "brace kit" are you talking about the longitudinal braces and the bronze bar mounts?
I think that most that run this bar just upgrade the Mazda sway bar mounts and use the standard poly mounts that come with the kit and bolt to the stock mounts. The bronze mounts can't be used without the longitudinal Tri-Point braces as the bolt spacing of these mounts is much wider than the stock sway bar mounti


Just to be clear you can run the longer footprint bronze or the stock footprint poly bushings with the Tripoint sway bar and reinforcement kit as there are two sets of rear mounting holes on the brace to use depending on which bushing option you decide on.

The brace kit will keep the stock swaybar mounts from cracking.

I just swapped down to the lowest rate .094" bar on lowest setting (supposed to be softer than stock) and poly bushings as I hated the understeer the car had with the larger bar and the maintenance of the bronze bushings.

Car still understeers a bit, but I think it is the effects of the pig heavy stock REW engine up front when I am used to my stripped down 13BT in my TII.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2012 | 10:40 AM
  #15  
Dave McLaughlin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Originally Posted by BLUE TII
When you say the "brace kit" are you talking about the longitudinal braces and the bronze bar mounts?
I think that most that run this bar just upgrade the Mazda sway bar mounts and use the standard poly mounts that come with the kit and bolt to the stock mounts. The bronze mounts can't be used without the longitudinal Tri-Point braces as the bolt spacing of these mounts is much wider than the stock sway bar mounti


Just to be clear you can run the longer footprint bronze or the stock footprint poly bushings with the Tripoint sway bar and reinforcement kit as there are two sets of rear mounting holes on the brace to use depending on which bushing option you decide on.

The brace kit will keep the stock swaybar mounts from cracking.

I just swapped down to the lowest rate .094" bar on lowest setting (supposed to be softer than stock) and poly bushings as I hated the understeer the car had with the larger bar and the maintenance of the bronze bushings.

Car still understeers a bit, but I think it is the effects of the pig heavy stock REW engine up front when I am used to my stripped down 13BT in my TII.
Thanks for the input. I have talked with DWalker and also Mazda Motorsports.
Reinforcement of the mounts is very important. The input I received from fellow
FD drivers at the track recommended the 1 1/4" bar, >188" wall thickness. I will be taking my struts in to get them dyno'ed to confirm spring rates.

Thanks,
Dave
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2012 | 09:13 PM
  #16  
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
needs more track time
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,766
Likes: 794
From: Bay Area CA
Hey Dave:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-rx-7-1993-2002-parts-99/tripoint-engineering-swaybar-rotary-extreme-swaybar-mounts-new-1000658/
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2012 | 08:03 AM
  #17  
Dave McLaughlin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Originally Posted by gracer7-rx7
Thanks bud,
I have talked to the folks @ Tri-point, Works Concepts, Mazda Motorsports, and
finally decided to take Don Walker up on his offer to build one for me. He has an FD
in his shop to test fit everything. I'm quite sure he will do a great job for me. FYI;
Tri-Point wanted $790 shipped, Works Concepts was $70 less shipped (BTW, Eric
is a great guy to work with, he definitely gave the best pricing on this particular
set-up), Mazda Motorsports was in between the two.
Don is doing mine for me for $400 plus shipping. He is going to fabricate 4 or 5
more if anyone is interested. As you guys may know, tooling and set-up is a big
part of the time and expense to produce this "kit". Don said he would honor this
pricing for the additional kits he's producing. I'm not trying to be a vender here on
the forum, just sharing what I came up with. Thanks to all who chimed-in on this
thread.

Cheers!
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2012 | 10:53 AM
  #18  
Sabre002's Avatar
Mazda Motorsports
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 10
From: SC
Any word on if anyone will be making a mount like the wide foot one?
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2012 | 11:22 AM
  #19  
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
needs more track time
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,766
Likes: 794
From: Bay Area CA
Awesome. Don is a great experienced option. Love reading his posts.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2012 | 12:16 PM
  #20  
Dave McLaughlin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Originally Posted by gracer7-rx7
Awesome. Don is a great experienced option. Love reading his posts.
He was gracious enough to spend some time talking with me. That was really
appreciated. When he gets together the list of what all is included; one of us
will update.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2012 | 12:17 PM
  #21  
Dave McLaughlin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Originally Posted by Sabre002
Any word on if anyone will be making a mount like the wide foot one?
I think Don is going to fab a tubular brace. Will update when we get things
final.

Thanks,
Dave
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2012 | 01:22 PM
  #22  
EB Turbo's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 475
Likes: 0
From: Santa Monica
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showt...25#post5967425
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2012 | 03:07 PM
  #23  
Dave McLaughlin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Thanks for posting. That's a much better deal than I was previously quoted.
Is the "brace kit" and"bracket kit" one in the same? So; if I wanted to have poly
bushings with the "brace kit" and a .188" thickness bar, it would be $585.00
shipped? Just want to be clear.

I have already committed to Don Walker for mine. I'm sure others on the forum will
be interested in your Group Buy.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2012 | 03:29 PM
  #24  
EB Turbo's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 475
Likes: 0
From: Santa Monica
Originally Posted by Dave McLaughlin
I wanted to have poly
bushings with the "brace kit" and a .188" thickness bar, it would be $585.00
shipped? Just want to be clear.
Correct

I have already committed to Don Walker for mine. I'm sure others on the forum will be interested in your Group Buy.
We always welcome group buy requests. For any of the products we offer, Tri-Point or other.

EB Turbo
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2012 | 07:20 PM
  #25  
PandazRx-7's Avatar
Fast + Reliable = $$$$$
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: SoCal
Does the bronze bushing w/brace option require OEM sway bar mounts? I have the widefoot sway bar mounts which raises the mounting point bar higher...
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:23 AM.