Swaybar comparison (assumptions?)

[Shaun]

Re: Swaybar comparison (assumptions?)

shaun... from ur experience... which swaybar company actually makes proper and useful swaybar with proper research?

im a technical noob... u explain to me too much i also wont understand.... just need ur opinion... personally what swaybar u using?

Hi Terry, I'm still running stock swaybars because in my application (non BMW) I don't see a compelling reason to change them yet because I haven't run the stock car to its limits yet. The tires are wearing nice, I enjoy the stock ride comfort on the roads, and dealing with the some roll at the track is a challenge and develops one area of driving that is important. There are also repeatability and longevity advantages to running a softer setup, but probably more evident with softer tires. After I've run the stock setup to its limits and if I get bored then I'll go to parts including sways.

I have suggestions for good swaybar brands, but I want to attach my reasoning and it is all non-technical but still fairly long winded. I will post this sometime soon, probably as a general guide to assessing brands as a whole. Probably will list characteristics and not specific brands because don't want to cross local vendors.

 

[Shaun]

Re: Swaybar comparison (assumptions?)

Niteblu, that's an interesting article, but important to realize that the percentages listed are % increase in ARB stiffness. What really influences handling is the F:R roll stiffness distribution and that, beyond ARBs, is affected by springs and roll center location and movement. So depending on the starting point rates for the bars and springs, the numbers in the article can equate to pretty small changes in actual F:R roll stiffness distribution.

It's a nice overview, but far from an easy summary as to which of the 3 is superior, esp when base or barred vehicle handling characteristics are arguable depending on how well the driving style is adapted to it - which is comfortable but slower, which is less easy but quicker, etc. 3 sentences summing up which is best from % increase in bar stiffness alone is ambitious.. things just aren't that simple. Beyond that there are exceptions to roll stiffness increase at the loose end creating a looser condition. Can get into that but that is long and technical.

 

[niteblu]

Re: Swaybar comparison (assumptions?)

Well put.

I guess at the end of the day. Digest what you think makes sense.
Satistics & figures, can after all be as subjective as words sometimes.
You can control one variable, whilst another ten are at play.

So...put your money on the ones in your favourite colour :

• H&R - Gun Metal Grey
• ACS - Red
• UUC - Baby Blue
• Agency Power - Dark Blue

Baby blue isn't my fav by the way.. haha...
but at least it's unique.