Would I really benefit from a larger RSB?

[sperry]

Originally Posted by bruspeed

One quick word of advice, If this is you're first experience with suspension mods, and their effects on handling, be very alert to having you're bar set to the stiffest setting and normal street driving, The off throttle over steer could really put the fear of god in you. Not to mention on throttle. On ramps and off ramps can be especially hairy, with the car pottentially getting out of shape fast.

Mine has scared me a couple of times. Just thought I'd share.

+1

I had a friend roll his months old '01 2.5RS testing his new rear swaybar.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by sperry

+1

I had a friend roll his months old '01 2.5RS testing his new rear swaybar.

+2!!!

I just noticed it is in the stiffest setting. 24mm solid bar on full stiff on the street can get you in trouble quick. Be very careful.

[eggeegg]

i didn't like the stiffest setting too much. definitely don't need it for daily driving. i drove around a bit in the middle setting today to get used to it, going on/off ramps, dodging dead rabbits on the road and such. big difference from the stiffest and stock. i know what you mean about being careful, especially going fast on the highway and avoiding cars/obstacles in split second decisions.

[wrxkidid]

if you went 24mm rsb on the stiffest setting then a 24mm non adjustable fsb would it still be as prone to oversteer?

the hotchkis bars are 25mm each :wow: if the 24 stiff is scary i dont want a 25mm bar.

[Kevin M]

Technically, yes it would be exactly as prone to oversteer. The added front grip from the FSB will make you less prone to washing-out over steer and more prone to snap oversteer, because you will be able to turn-in faster with the extra front grip. Basically, mod if you want but work your way up to the new limits slowly.

Also, hollow bars like the Hotchkis are not as stiff as a solid bar of the same outside diameter, unless that's an adjusted rating. Without looking at the chart I downloaded from Whiteline a long time ago, I'm guessing a 25mm hollow Hotchkiss is in the neighborhood of 21-22mm solid bar.

[Dean]

Hothchkis bars are hollow with different wall thicknesses depending on application.

For the rear, the 24mm solid bar is about equal to the 25.4mm street bar if I recall correctly. For more info on hollow vs. solid, look here:

http://www.hotchkistuning.com/bin/Mi...SwayTech-D.pdf

[wrxkidid]

snap oversteer...like more abrupt like no oversteer to 180 in like .123124 seconds not like slow motion type oversteer?

[MPREZIV]

Originally Posted by wrxkidid

snap oversteer...like more abrupt like no oversteer to 180 in like .123124 seconds not like slow motion type oversteer?

Exactly. The rear of the car will be apt to simply swing around on you at a FANTASTIC rate!

[NevadaSTi]

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

Exactly. The rear of the car will be apt to simply swing around on you at a FANTASTIC rate!

That sounds like a load of fun!!!

On a serious note, since I now have a 32mm FSB, how would my car differ if at a later time I wanted to put in a RSB?

[Kevin M]

It would be more willing to rotate. Meaning, it would be easier to get a little bit of a slip angle going in the rear. But, if you ever decide to leave AS, just plan on coilovers or at least good springs first. Start with the important parts then add the accessorizing parts. Flavor to taste so to speak.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by NevadaSTi

That sounds like a load of fun!!!

On a serious note, since I now have a 32mm FSB, how would my car differ if at a later time I wanted to put in a RSB?

Adding a stiffer rear bar will decrease rear roll at the same time transferring weight to the outside. So depending on how the car handles with the FSB it is likely to stiffen the rear and assist in rotation.

If you aren't going to change springs/struts, sway bars are a good way to change handling characteristics.

[AtomicLabMonkey]

Originally Posted by Dean

Adding a stiffer rear bar will decrease rear roll at the same time transferring weight to the outside.

Rear roll angle is the same as front roll angle, assuming you don't own a car as floppy as a '57 Eldorado vert. Stiffening a swaybar at either axle reduces overall chassis roll angle.