Sway bar upgrade questions.

[dr-rjp]

What I have in mind is to reduce body roll by upgrading my sway bar in front and adding a rear sway bar.

Here are my questions:

Do I look for a "thicker" front sway bar, or do they make stiffer bars which have the same diameter as stock?

Where is the best place to buy a rear sway bar? Did they put them on the I30t -- the Touring version of my car? If so, then should I look for a used one, or buy a new one?

Does the rear sway bar have the same "stiffness" or have the same diameter as the front sway bar? Do they put a "stiffer" sway bar in the rear?

Thanks for your answers.

[00MaxSE]

I can't answer any of the questions about the FSB, but for the RSB, Addco, Progress, and Stillen make some good ones. It's a must have mod IMO. Body roll is reduced dramatically.

[02maxSE]

on my 97' i had a progress RSB and the handling was way better in the corners and everyday driving along with the progress lowering springs. they were a little bumpy at times but aided in stiffness. i put the RSB on my 02'and it feels much better. customenterprise has them for around $139 and a front STB on sale for 97' - 03' max's for only $49!!! that's my next buy. good luck in what ever you pick.

[02maxSE]

Hey this question is for (00MaxSE) did you do the mod on your headlights in removing the little orange lens cover in the headlights? I have the instructions but not the money to buy new headlights($600).

[00MaxSE]

Hey this question is for (00MaxSE) did you do the mod on your headlights in removing the little orange lens cover in the headlights? I have the instructions but not the money to buy new headlights($600).

Yes, I did the clearing mod along with the DDE's with help from someone else who had done it before.

[02maxSE]

so did ya'll run into any problems cause i might do it tomorrow or this weekend? can you ask him what i need to watch out for and stuff like that. thanks.

[maxhopper]

For your vehicle, I would recommend getting Energy Suspension bushings for the sway bar and end links - that will tighten the feel of the factory bar significantly. http://www.suspension.com

As the other guys mentioned, get a Progress or Stillen rear sway bar. The Stillen bar is actually adjustabe, the Progress bar is not.

[audtatious]

The progress bar is pretty much an Addco. It is adjustable in that you can move the side links forward or backward to increase or decrease resistance.

[dr-rjp]

For your vehicle, I would recommend getting Energy Suspension bushings for the sway bar and end links - that will tighten the feel of the factory bar significantly. http://www.suspension.com

Thanks...I already bought them and they are sitting in a box (along with the front sway bar bushings) ready to be installed as soon as I get my tie rods.

As the other guys mentioned, get a Progress or Stillen rear sway bar. The Stillen bar is actually adjustabe, the Progress bar is not.

Well, I'm not sure about that. Customenterprise.Com says that their Progress bar is adjustable (click on the previous link):

"Easy to install, adjustable, and comes standard with urethane bushings."

Audtatious also attested to its adjustability, so I'm inclined to think it is adjustable unless someome who has one says otherwise.

I noticed that the rear bar is slightly thicker than the front (22mm versus 20mm). This relates back to one of my questions. Should I also look for a 22mm front sway bar, or will my stock bar suffice? I tend to think that it will given the strut/shock setup that I have (KYB AGX's) under the car, and the FSTB above (although the effect of this brace on body roll is modest at best).

I have also read that some people buy a chassis brace to stiffen up the whole car. Probably not something one would buy for a car used mostly for commuting.

So, to boil it down, should I opt for just the rear sway bar as the only add-on I need right now?
Modified by dr-rjp at 1:58 PM 11/3/2006

[maxhopper]

I stand corrected. The bar itself is not adjustable, but the mounting locations on the trailing arms can be adjusted.

I would install the rear sway bar, and the bushings for the front - then see how you like the ride.

[dr-rjp]

Thanks, Scott.

BTW, I took a look at how much Customenterprises charges for Ground shipping on the sway bar, and that took them off my list of possible vendors.

$50 for UPS Ground to ship a sway bar to Florida?

I don't think so. Neverenough.com (an eBay vendor) sells the same bar for the same price (actually $140 versus $139), but shipping is only $20.

Word to the wise: always check a vendor's shipping chagres before recommending them.

[dr-rjp]

I can't answer any of the questions about the FSB, but for the RSB, Addco, Progress, and Stillen make some good ones. It's a must have mod IMO. Body roll is reduced dramatically.

I have seen Addco's running about $15 less than Progress. Is the Progress bar really worth the extra jack over the Addco one?

[maxhopper]

Pretty much the same style bar.

Sport Compact Only sells the Progress bar. Give Steve a call at 1.888.766.0022, tell him your a NICO member, and see what he can do for you.

[C-Kwik]

If you get the Stillen bars, there is one suggestion I'll make. Get some tape(about as thick as clear bra film) and place it between where the aluminum brackets and the trailing arm where they attach. If you don't, the aluminum brackets will galvanize to the suspension arms and will not come off. Replacing the brackets are not cheap and make up much of the cost of the swaybar kit. While many people don't have an intent to remove it once it's on, you may need to if you should ever damage the suspension arm(accident).

[maxhopper]

Great tip Chano!

[dr-rjp]

Pretty much the same style bar.

Sport Compact Only sells the Progress bar. Give Steve a call at 1.888.766.0022, tell him your a NICO member, and see what he can do for you.

Thanks! I will.

BTW, What other vendors will give discounts to NICO members?

[00MaxSE]

Someone used to sell the Stillen knock-off's on ebay, but I'm not sure if he's still selling them.

[maxhopper]

Thanks! I will.

BTW, What other vendors will give discounts to NICO members?

You can check out the Advertisers Specials Forum, I think all of our dealership sponsors (Midway, Pinnacle, Bankston) are offering an additional 5% off (on top of the parts at wholesale price) to NICO members.

[dr-rjp]

THANKS, SCOTT!

BTW, Does NICO offer any Group Buys?

If so,, where would they be posted?

[dr-rjp]

Someone used to sell the Stillen knock-off's on ebay, but I'm not sure if he's still selling them.

The only ones that I have seen for 4th Gens on eBay are the Addco and the Progress.

I will probably buy a new Addco...unless I can find a used one (any brand) that someone is parting out.

[maxhopper]

THANKS, SCOTT!

BTW, Does NICO offer any Group Buys?

If so,, where would they be posted?

Look for specials here. zeroforum?id=145