Opinions on Sway Bars

dcrew1x · 09-23-2009, 07:37 PM

I plan on purchasing some aftermarket sway bars for the 370z and I would like some opinions, experience, and input as to which one of the following would be the best buy:

1. Hotchkis
2. Stillen
3. Keep it Stock / OEM
4. Nismo
5. Cusco - Choose option 5 for Cusco

kdo2milger · 09-23-2009, 07:40 PM

good idea, in for results...

shabarivas · 09-23-2009, 08:43 PM

Sorry - what do you mean wait for cusco? they already have a set... Im just waiting on some funds to come through before I pull the trigger

shabarivas · 09-23-2009, 08:45 PM

New CUSCO pieces

You should add cusco to your poll so i can vote it

dcrew1x · 09-23-2009, 09:17 PM

Not sure how to edit the poll.

I edited the post though to reflect Option #5 as Cusco

alan93rsa · 09-24-2009, 08:14 PM

I used the Hotchkis bars/Eibach springs on my 370 at Mid-Ohio and had no complaints. Traded the car not long after that so no additional information.

B1nks · 09-24-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan93rsa

I used the Hotchkis bars/Eibach springs on my 370 at Mid-Ohio and had no complaints. Traded the car not long after that so no additional information.

hate you for having a Porsche by the way. Why the change ?

JoeD · 09-24-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcrew1x

...I would like some opinions, experience, and input as to which one of the following would be the best buy:

Then why have "Keep it Stock / OEM" as an option? That just counts as a wasted vote which could have gone towards one of the brands to help you form your opinion. If everyone on the forum who still has the OEM swaybars or has no plans to upgrade came in and voted...that would suck, wouldn't it?

I'll be getting the Cuscos when it comes time to upgrade. The Stillens don't seem to be that significant of an upgrade over stock, I havn't heard anything about NISMO swaybars for the Z34, and Hotchkis isn't even on the radar (strictly personal preference due to the brand, not performance).

dcrew1x · 09-25-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

Then why have "Keep it Stock / OEM" as an option? That just counts as a wasted vote which could have gone towards one of the brands to help you form your opinion. If everyone on the forum who still has the OEM swaybars or has no plans to upgrade came in and voted...that would suck, wouldn't it?

I'll be getting the Cuscos when it comes time to upgrade. The Stillens don't seem to be that significant of an upgrade over stock, I havn't heard anything about NISMO swaybars for the Z34, and Hotchkis isn't even on the radar (strictly personal preference due to the brand, not performance).

I wasn't trying to vote OEM

I was trying to update the poll options but wasn't sure how to and ended up clicking on it to see if that would allow me to make a change since I hadn't voted yet myself.

Does anyone have the cuscos already installed?

Aside from that, Hotchkis seems to be the most popular at the moment and some DIY installation instructions / pics are already up. I am also leaning towards Hotckis myself but waiting for poll results to get a better idea or some thoughts / opinions.

kenchan · 09-25-2009, 01:02 PM

my thought is leave it stock.

especially these suspension bits, it's hard to just go by what
others say unless you are asking about craftsmanship/fitment/durability, etc.

in order to tune your suspenion to your car you have to buy it, install it on your car, and trial/error. swaybars can change the car's dynamics dramatically good and bad so you
can't really go by what others say or feel. it might work for them with their driving habits
and car, but might not work for you.

dcrew1x · 09-25-2009, 01:11 PM

Thanks for the input.

I don't plan on dropping the vehicle unless one day down the line I buy a full coilover system which is pretty costly for my current budget.

I do however plan on tracking the vehicle and doing some canyon runs.

I might be doing this trail pretty soon in particular:
Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC

This is also my DD so yeah, I'll have to take a lot into consideration. For now I'm just happy with the feedback I get from members and the current setup they own.

shabarivas · 09-25-2009, 01:15 PM

Not really Kenchan .... as long as the ratio of stiffness between the front and the back remain the same before and after you upgrade sway bars - all you will be changing is how much less the car rolls. What you say is true but more-so for coilovers etc... with sway bars you can add a little under-steer or add some over-steer by simply adjusting the relative stiffness between the front and rear -- and you can keep the dynamics the same as long as the stiffness ratio is kept close to stock...

kenchan · 09-25-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shabarivas

Not really Kenchan .... as long as the ratio of stiffness between the front and the back remain the same before and after you upgrade sway bars - all you will be changing is how much less the car rolls. What you say is true but more-so for coilovers etc... with sway bars you can add a little under-steer or add some over-steer by simply adjusting the relative stiffness between the front and rear -- and you can keep the dynamics the same as long as the stiffness ratio is kept close to stock...

by changing how much less the car rolls puts more burden
on the tires and that opens up a whole new
discussion.

while keeping everything else constant, yep, the amount
of under/over steer can be tuned with the swaybar setup
but by how much depends on the structure and design of
the bar, how far the bolt holes are spread apart (setting),
etc.

it's easier to buy one and trial and error, imho.
because your steering/brake/throttle inputs can also
dramatically change how the car behaves under those
circumstances and you and i do not drive the car the
same or under the same driving conditions.

the trial and error also goes for coilovers by changing
spring rates/damp rates/height settings, etc. all changes
the way the car behaves...

so, it leads me back to the original post where i would
ask about the craftsmanship/fitment/durability aspecs
and play with the swaybar. i recommend you get the ones
with most setting holes and get adjustable endlinks to
do in-between settings. like mid on one side/soft on the
other end of the bar, etc.

dcrew1x · 09-25-2009, 02:13 PM

Update to my previous post:

looks like Stillen and Hotckis are dead even in popularity and preference.

kenchan · 09-25-2009, 02:17 PM

im currently running stillen on my G35C and they have been great the last 5yrs.

ive ran hotchikis bits on my previous car and it was good too...and
looking at how hotchikis has collars for the bushings, i think it's a
toss up.

View Poll Results: Which Sway Bars?
Hotchkis	35	34.31%
Stillen	24	23.53%
Stock OEM	7	6.86%
Nismo	5	4.90%
Wait for Cusco or another company with adjustable front/rear	31	30.39%
Voters: 102. You may not vote on this poll

09-23-2009, 07:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
dcrew1x Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 821 Drives: Graphite Bullet Rep Power: 368	Opinions on Sway Bars I plan on purchasing some aftermarket sway bars for the 370z and I would like some opinions, experience, and input as to which one of the following would be the best buy: 1. Hotchkis 2. Stillen 3. Keep it Stock / OEM 4. Nismo 5. Cusco - Choose option 5 for Cusco __________________ 2009 PG 6MT Sports Stillen Gen3 CAI \| Stillen CBE \| AMS Short Shifter \| Nismo Brace Kit Last edited by dcrew1x; 09-23-2009 at 09:16 PM.

09-23-2009, 07:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 59	good idea, in for results... __________________ Project *NISMO*

09-23-2009, 09:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
dcrew1x Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 821 Drives: Graphite Bullet Rep Power: 368	Not sure how to edit the poll. I edited the post though to reflect Option #5 as Cusco __________________ 2009 PG 6MT Sports Stillen Gen3 CAI \| Stillen CBE \| AMS Short Shifter \| Nismo Brace Kit

09-24-2009, 08:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
alan93rsa Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 412 Drives: 16 Cayman GT4 Red Rep Power: 220	I used the Hotchkis bars/Eibach springs on my 370 at Mid-Ohio and had no complaints. Traded the car not long after that so no additional information. __________________ 16 Cayman GT4, Carmine Red, Buckets, PCCB etc.

09-23-2009, 08:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	Sorry - what do you mean wait for cusco? they already have a set... Im just waiting on some funds to come through before I pull the trigger

09-23-2009, 08:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	New CUSCO pieces You should add cusco to your poll so i can vote it

09-25-2009, 01:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	my thought is leave it stock. especially these suspension bits, it's hard to just go by what others say unless you are asking about craftsmanship/fitment/durability, etc. in order to tune your suspenion to your car you have to buy it, install it on your car, and trial/error. swaybars can change the car's dynamics dramatically good and bad so you can't really go by what others say or feel. it might work for them with their driving habits and car, but might not work for you.

09-25-2009, 01:11 PM	#11 (permalink)
dcrew1x Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 821 Drives: Graphite Bullet Rep Power: 368	Thanks for the input. I don't plan on dropping the vehicle unless one day down the line I buy a full coilover system which is pretty costly for my current budget. I do however plan on tracking the vehicle and doing some canyon runs. I might be doing this trail pretty soon in particular: Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC This is also my DD so yeah, I'll have to take a lot into consideration. For now I'm just happy with the feedback I get from members and the current setup they own. __________________ 2009 PG 6MT Sports Stillen Gen3 CAI \| Stillen CBE \| AMS Short Shifter \| Nismo Brace Kit

09-25-2009, 01:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	Not really Kenchan .... as long as the ratio of stiffness between the front and the back remain the same before and after you upgrade sway bars - all you will be changing is how much less the car rolls. What you say is true but more-so for coilovers etc... with sway bars you can add a little under-steer or add some over-steer by simply adjusting the relative stiffness between the front and rear -- and you can keep the dynamics the same as long as the stiffness ratio is kept close to stock...

09-25-2009, 02:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
dcrew1x Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 821 Drives: Graphite Bullet Rep Power: 368	Update to my previous post: looks like Stillen and Hotckis are dead even in popularity and preference. __________________ 2009 PG 6MT Sports Stillen Gen3 CAI \| Stillen CBE \| AMS Short Shifter \| Nismo Brace Kit

09-25-2009, 02:17 PM	#15 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	im currently running stillen on my G35C and they have been great the last 5yrs. ive ran hotchikis bits on my previous car and it was good too...and looking at how hotchikis has collars for the bushings, i think it's a toss up.

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