downeyer
19-07-2007, 01:02 PM
Dear Whiteline,
I'm interested in reducing the body roll of my 2002 USDM Subaru WRX. To do so, I plan to increase the swaybar sizes on my car. My current modifications include the following:
1) Prodrive Linear Springs
2) Koni Inserts
3) 21mm Cusco Front Swaybar
4) 22/23/24mm Cusco Rear Swaybar
5) Cusco rear strut tower brace
The current at the limit balance of my WRX is very controllable. The car has a tendancy to understeer slightly with the ability to rotate the car with lift throttle. I enjoy this level of control and would like to maintain it if possible.
My current direction is to increase the front and rear swaybar by the same stiffness % by using your Diameter Conversion Chart.
Front: Having read several reviews on big swaybars, it is my understanding that a larger front swaybar will reduce dynamic camber changes, therefore resulting in more grip. Is this true? If so, I'd like to go as big as possible with the front bar, which leads me to a 27mm bar. On the other hand, my WRX is primarily a street driven car. Should I avoid the big 27mm bar?
Assuming that the 27mm bar is not recommended for street use, I would go to the next level, which is 24mm. Increasing the size from my current 21mm to a 24mm increases the stiffness by 71%.
Rear: With the stiffness increased by 71% for the front, I'd be looking for a similar 71% increase for the rear. That puts me at either a 26mm (63%) or 27mm (90%). Which bar would you suggest using?
Is my methodology correct here? By that, I mean is increasing the front and rear by the same percentage stiffness going to keep the same handling balance?
The reason I ask is because I've heard that bigger front swaybars result in less dynamic camber loss, resulting in additional front grip, therefore, oversteer. Also, a larger rear swaybar will also result in oversteer. Am I setting myself up for an oversteering car by increasing the sizes of both the front and rear swaybars?
Regards,
Eric
I'm interested in reducing the body roll of my 2002 USDM Subaru WRX. To do so, I plan to increase the swaybar sizes on my car. My current modifications include the following:
1) Prodrive Linear Springs
2) Koni Inserts
3) 21mm Cusco Front Swaybar
4) 22/23/24mm Cusco Rear Swaybar
5) Cusco rear strut tower brace
The current at the limit balance of my WRX is very controllable. The car has a tendancy to understeer slightly with the ability to rotate the car with lift throttle. I enjoy this level of control and would like to maintain it if possible.
My current direction is to increase the front and rear swaybar by the same stiffness % by using your Diameter Conversion Chart.
Front: Having read several reviews on big swaybars, it is my understanding that a larger front swaybar will reduce dynamic camber changes, therefore resulting in more grip. Is this true? If so, I'd like to go as big as possible with the front bar, which leads me to a 27mm bar. On the other hand, my WRX is primarily a street driven car. Should I avoid the big 27mm bar?
Assuming that the 27mm bar is not recommended for street use, I would go to the next level, which is 24mm. Increasing the size from my current 21mm to a 24mm increases the stiffness by 71%.
Rear: With the stiffness increased by 71% for the front, I'd be looking for a similar 71% increase for the rear. That puts me at either a 26mm (63%) or 27mm (90%). Which bar would you suggest using?
Is my methodology correct here? By that, I mean is increasing the front and rear by the same percentage stiffness going to keep the same handling balance?
The reason I ask is because I've heard that bigger front swaybars result in less dynamic camber loss, resulting in additional front grip, therefore, oversteer. Also, a larger rear swaybar will also result in oversteer. Am I setting myself up for an oversteering car by increasing the sizes of both the front and rear swaybars?
Regards,
Eric