Thoughts on aftermarket front sway bars??

ipeefreely

Senior Member
First Name
Will
Joined
Jun 4, 2018
Threads
22
Messages
586
Reaction score
939
Location
Bay Area, California
Vehicle(s)
2017 Ford Raptor / 2019 CTR
Country flag
I ordered the Eibach front and rear sway bars but I'm seriously contemplating whether it's necessary to install or not. I've also realized that in order to install the front sway bar, you need to drop the subframe and disconnect the steering column (see this thread here: https://www.civicx.com/threads/front-sway-bar-install-instructions.28686/ )

Anyways... I've been researching and it seems that adding a front sway bar will reduce oversteer while adding a stiffer rear bar will reduce understeer. I've also read that a lot of people actually run FWD cars with NO sway bars. So anyways, it seems like it's just car dependent really.

What are you guy's thoughts and opinions on this?
Sponsored

 

bouford

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2017
Threads
6
Messages
780
Reaction score
550
Location
Hawaii
Vehicle(s)
03 AP1/18 FK8/19 CV2
Build Thread
Link
Country flag
i highly recommend the karcepts rsb. for autox, i am more than pleased with it as i can adjust it as needed for different conditions.
i also run their front and rear sways in my SSM prep'd 03 S2000 and brian offers great customer service for questions, trouble shooting or part replacement.
 

gtman

Senior Member
First Name
Mitch
Joined
Oct 27, 2015
Threads
328
Messages
16,671
Reaction score
24,356
Location
USA
Website
www.civicx.com
Vehicle(s)
2017 Cosmic Blue EX-L Sedan
Vehicle Showcase
2
I don't have a Type R but I've always gotten a nice improvement just upgrading the rear sway bar and adding a front strut bar. I'm sure a bigger front sway bar isn't a bad thing for the street but far from a necessity in a daily driver.
 
OP
OP
ipeefreely

ipeefreely

Senior Member
First Name
Will
Joined
Jun 4, 2018
Threads
22
Messages
586
Reaction score
939
Location
Bay Area, California
Vehicle(s)
2017 Ford Raptor / 2019 CTR
Country flag
I don't have a Type R but I've always gotten a nice improvement just upgrading the rear sway bar and adding a front strut bar. I'm sure a bigger front sway bar isn't a bad thing for the street but far from a necessity in a daily driver.
As of now, I'm 90% sure i'll be adding a rear sway bar. I've already gotten a front strut bar in. Just really trying to decide if i want to put in a front sway bar.

Also this is not going to be my daily driver. Basically strictly track driven.
 

d15b7

Senior Member
First Name
Todd
Joined
Nov 10, 2018
Threads
1
Messages
116
Reaction score
189
Location
21921
Vehicle(s)
2018 Civic Type R, 1995 Civic EG K24/20 EFR7163 Fortune Auto track weapon
Country flag
if this is for a track only car, and you are an experienced driver (NOT a novice) then I'd strongly suggest not upgrading the front swaybar. you want the car to point and rotate so that you can get back on the power as early as possible especially on the tighter corners. for instance my track only EG roadrace/time attack/hill climb car -- I've removed the front swaybar entirely. i'm running a large adjustable rear bar. my spring rates are 800 lb front 1400 lb rear (yes that's right; way stiffer in the rear). I have a huge rear wing and supports, along with a large front splitter. with that setup you lift a TINY bit on turnin and immediately transition to power because she rotates NOW!!! it's def the fastest way around a track, but you need to be experienced or it'll bite you. I'd bet that the CTR is way more friendlier to start with and that you should put the biggest adjustable rear swaybar on that you can possibly find and try that first. then maybe remove the front bar and retest at the track.
 


destoups

Senior Member
First Name
Des
Joined
May 10, 2018
Threads
6
Messages
179
Reaction score
94
Location
Portland
Vehicle(s)
Many
Country flag
Might be best to wait until you see what behavior you want to correct for ...
 

KeepItLow

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2017
Threads
5
Messages
76
Reaction score
88
Location
Sydney, Australia
Vehicle(s)
Car
Country flag
Unless you're going to track the car a lot and put sticky tyres on, the factory front sway bar is just right..
 

d15b7

Senior Member
First Name
Todd
Joined
Nov 10, 2018
Threads
1
Messages
116
Reaction score
189
Location
21921
Vehicle(s)
2018 Civic Type R, 1995 Civic EG K24/20 EFR7163 Fortune Auto track weapon
Country flag
Unless you're going to track the car a lot and put sticky tyres on, the factory front sway bar is just right..
he said basically he will only be driving it on the track so that's why I suggested the fully race suspension setup advice. I agree with you that if this is going to be a street car then don't do what I suggested. it'll be too nervous on the street, plus uncomfortable, plus in an emergency (kid runs out in street etc) a lift induced spin might be the result
 
OP
OP
ipeefreely

ipeefreely

Senior Member
First Name
Will
Joined
Jun 4, 2018
Threads
22
Messages
586
Reaction score
939
Location
Bay Area, California
Vehicle(s)
2017 Ford Raptor / 2019 CTR
Country flag
if this is for a track only car, and you are an experienced driver (NOT a novice) then I'd strongly suggest not upgrading the front swaybar. you want the car to point and rotate so that you can get back on the power as early as possible especially on the tighter corners. for instance my track only EG roadrace/time attack/hill climb car -- I've removed the front swaybar entirely. i'm running a large adjustable rear bar. my spring rates are 800 lb front 1400 lb rear (yes that's right; way stiffer in the rear). I have a huge rear wing and supports, along with a large front splitter. with that setup you lift a TINY bit on turnin and immediately transition to power because she rotates NOW!!! it's def the fastest way around a track, but you need to be experienced or it'll bite you. I'd bet that the CTR is way more friendlier to start with and that you should put the biggest adjustable rear swaybar on that you can possibly find and try that first. then maybe remove the front bar and retest at the track.
Thank you!! This seems right in line with what I've been researching. I've ordered both front and rear sway bars but i guess I'll slap the rear one in first and see how she runs. In theory she should run just fine without the upgraded front sway bars so I might end up just cancelling that and buying only the rear.
Sponsored

 


 


Top