improve handling...

[oclude]

Currently im running KYB Adjustable Shocks and 18" ADR 215/40/18.

I want to improve the handling a lil bit so what is the difference between strut bars and sway bars and upper and lower and front and rear? or should i just not touch it at all...

Suggestions?

[Prelude13]

You've made a good choice on the dampening system with the KYB's.
Your 18's, are good, but i'd prefer 16's or 17's. Are you lowered?

Strut bars are helpful, but you have to understand what they do.
They amplify the "bounce" or absorption from the shocks/springs when you go over rough roads; uneven balance that is.

Now there are two(2) strut bars that connect the front two and the rear two. You'll 'feel' a difference with strut bar(s), but dont expect to hit the circuit :smirk:

Sway bars.
Upgrading to stronger, beefer sway bars will make your car extremely tight and you will feel the difference from the first corner you hit...
there is only 1 rear sway bar that is connected by endlinks.
This will eliminate unwated body roll/flex.

If you really want to improve your handling, here are some things to consider:

-Tires. Wide, sticky tires as your 215 profile. BUT, 40 tires are pretty thin.
-Tire camber* camber kit and always be sure of your camber & toe along with correct tire pressure(all 4 tires).
-Strut Bar(s)
-Sway bar(rear)
-Lower & upper control arm bushings
-Stronger end links plus bushings
-Shocks and spring combination - lowering the car's center of gravity to Earth will help.



! :cool:

[edge2lyfe]

^Good info there.

If you want to improve handling you might want to skip the camber kit, they're good for returning your camber back to spec and increasing tread life but a little negative camber actually improves handling. :smile:

I keep hearing that a good rear sway bar is the best improvement for handling on a 5th gen.

[Prelude13]

yah, adjusting camber can help out depending on the application.
A lot of track drivers will mess around with tire profiles & camber adjustment to their liking.

Some people mix & match tires and such.
LOL, i have 205's in the front and 195's in the rear with a camber kit.
Is this suggested? no.
Why did i do this?
In the midst of owning 4 different sets of rims, i got lost and bought the wrong sizes. :cool:





:rolleyes:

[oclude]

my car is lowered. and i have less than a finger gap all the way around. i would post pics but can't post urls til i have 15 posts. lol

any suggestions? i am gettin my oem front lip put on next week.

[Neo]

I have a neuspeed front strut and spoon rear strut bar, and a progress rear sway bar with upgraded enlinks. Feels like my car is on rails. You'll feel a big difference when you install the rear sway bar.

[Si Speed]

I'd take the 18s off and get 16"s or 17"s. Just right sized wheels and sticky tires makes a world difference alone, but everything stated above is good info.

[twokexlv6coupe]

I'd take the 18s off and get 16"s or 17"s. Just right sized wheels and sticky tires makes a world difference alone, but everything stated above is good info.

:werd:


18" FTL when it comes to handling.

[Chief_Rocka]

+1 to sway bars and wide 16" wheels with fat tires.

[Si Speed]

I just speak from experience on the 18"s. There's a turn I take everyday that's a 25 mph turn (and for good reason) and on a dry day, I go around it 50ish no problem. I had to go around it at 40 with the 18s and even then was wondering if I'd stick, which is why I went back to my stock wheels. I'll sacrifice some good looks for performance.

[edge2lyfe]

^^^Yeah, 16's ftw

[1BadBB6]

i have 18's on mine and they do suck for handling i was following one of my buddies in a s10 through some curves i hit an s curve doin like 50 and the back end sure did come out from under me, scared the **** outta me

[htswmr6]

wow everyone has missed the big question we should have asked a long time ago. suspension is just like any part of the car that you want to modify, so you need to start with how much are you looking to increase handling and for what reason. Example if your going to do autocross your going to need a whole lot of stuff to make it worthwhile to adjust. drag racing is a different setup, street racing is different from both of those. budget?? Personally i would say that if ur just looking for just a little increase in handling you should get strut bars front and rear, and a rear lower tie bar total you can get all of those for like 160 or less even. want even more handling then get a sway bar but expect to pay almost 250 to 300 for a good one.

[dakilla4ever]

I have a neuspeed front strut and spoon rear strut bar, and a progress rear sway bar with upgraded enlinks. Feels like my car is on rails. You'll feel a big difference when you install the rear sway bar.

Hey we can't look the same damnit. Anyways I have a question regarding the stock sway bars thats on the car. Whats the diameter on the stock ones and what the difference between them and aftermarket sway bars?

[htswmr6]

usually they are thicker and sometimes made out of different metals.

[hotrod]

Whats the diameter on the stock ones and what the difference between them and aftermarket sway bars?
stock: 23mm
neuspeed: 25mm

the neuspeed bar is beefier and sturdier. like i said in my review, i think the car's turning quicker, but that may be just my imagination.

[dakilla4ever]

stock: 23mm
neuspeed: 25mm

the neuspeed bar is beefier and sturdier. like i said in my review, i think the car's turning quicker, but that may be just my imagination.

Preciate that info. I will be completing my suspension setup with a set of those and a skunk2 rear lower tie arm bar. After that I 'm headed straight for a mountain run. Thanks.

[Brash22]

The OEM ones are also hollow as, the Neuspeed ones have some wall thickness to them. Or are they solid? can't remember...