Sway bar settings. Why not run stiffest setting all the time?

wdkwang · 05-24-2011, 02:46 AM

I'm reading most people say that running aftermarket sway bars on medium setting is ideal for daily driving and stiffest for track days. I understand running on the stiffest setting takes away from comfort but is there any real negative factors. I was thinking whenever I get the Hotchkis, why not run them on stiffest all the time. Someone enlighten me please

Scott @ RA · 05-24-2011, 03:05 AM

Sway bar settings generally do not have an impact on how "stiff" your ride quality is, per say. That is usually directly impacted by spring rates and shock valving (mostly high speed in compression), etc.
Stiffening up the sway bars generally only effects the side to side transfer of weight more commonly referred to as body roll.

So yes, you absolutely can run your sway bars at the stiffest setting for the street, (I prefer it and do it all the time). The only likely adverse effects you may have by doing this is less grip on wet roads and the car having more of a tendency to want to follow the grooves in the roads a little more.

6MT · 05-24-2011, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott @ RA

The only likely adverse effects you may have by doing this is less grip on wet roads and the car having more of a tendency to want to follow the grooves in the roads a little more.

But I run mine in the middle.

Red__Zed · 05-24-2011, 08:51 AM

And the fact that your endlinks probably won't hold up.

Kingbaby · 05-24-2011, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott @ RA

...So yes, you absolutely can run your sway bars at the stiffest setting for the street, (I prefer it and do it all the time). The only likely adverse effects you may have by doing this is less grip on wet roads and the car having more of a tendency to want to follow the grooves in the roads a little more.

+1

same here...

kenchan · 05-24-2011, 10:57 AM

all good posts above.

op -you have to setup the swaybar to COMPLIMENT the suspension's overall dynamics. you cant just slap something on and expect it to handle like a race car when one might be running some shitt tires or something stupid.

m4a1mustang · 05-24-2011, 11:08 AM

These bar settings are often a personal preference, too. Some like a stiffer rear bar while others like it a little softer. There is really no right or wrong.

Bottom line is to play around with your settings and fine tune them to your liking.

gmr19 · 08-07-2011, 08:53 PM

Don't stiffer sways help the tire's contact patch on the road? How does this reduce wet grip?

I'm thinking about getting some Stillen sways on OEM suspension to reduce body roll. Will this condition wear out any other parts prematurely? Would probably run medium setting front/rear.

cossie1600 · 08-07-2011, 11:19 PM

you want your suspension to roll in the rain

m4a1mustang · 08-07-2011, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

you want your body to roll in the rain

Indeed. In some racing series where it is allowed teams will disconnect the rear sway bar to help with grip in the rain.

gmr19 · 08-08-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Indeed. In some racing series where it is allowed teams will disconnect the rear sway bar to help with grip in the rain.

I'm guessing the weight transfer to the outside wheels helps with grip?

Endgame · 08-12-2011, 02:42 PM

I have a question....

The PowerHouse Amuse Z34 runs stock sways (only have coilovers so as far as I can tell). They ran a MUCH faster time at Tskuba than the Nismo Z with stiffer sways. The Amuse Z does have 15 more ponies than the Nismo, but that does not seem to be enough to justify a 2 second advantage on that track.

Is it better to go sway less for the track??

xdeslitx · 08-12-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endgame

I have a question....

The PowerHouse Amuse Z34 runs stock sways (only have coilovers so as far as I can tell). They ran a MUCH faster time at Tskuba than the Nismo Z with stiffer sways. The Amuse Z does have 15 more ponies than the Nismo, but that does not seem to be enough to justify a 2 second advantage on that track.

Is it better to go sway less for the track??

driven by the same person?

cossie1600 · 08-12-2011, 02:59 PM

stiff suspension is pretty much like sway bars. sway bars are just cheap ways to modify your car. a nice coilover setup is almost alwats better

Endgame · 08-12-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xdeslitx

driven by the same person?

No. I think Keiichi Tsuchiya was driving the Nismo Z34. Someone else drove the Amuse Z34. That gave the upper hand to the Nismo as Tsuchiya is by far the best driver of the BM crew.

05-24-2011, 02:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
wdkwang Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: N/A Posts: 899 Drives: slidewayz Rep Power: 20	Sway bar settings. Why not run stiffest setting all the time? I'm reading most people say that running aftermarket sway bars on medium setting is ideal for daily driving and stiffest for track days. I understand running on the stiffest setting takes away from comfort but is there any real negative factors. I was thinking whenever I get the Hotchkis, why not run them on stiffest all the time. Someone enlighten me please __________________ Powerhouse Amuse \| K&N Typhoon Intakes \| MotorDyne ART Pipes \| Borla Catback Exhaust \| B&M Short Shifter \| Intake Ducts \| Ichiba 25mm F/R Spacers \| Carbon Fiber Interior Vinyl Wrap \| Tints \| 10000k HIDs \| Vtak, yo!

05-24-2011, 11:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	These bar settings are often a personal preference, too. Some like a stiffer rear bar while others like it a little softer. There is really no right or wrong. Bottom line is to play around with your settings and fine tune them to your liking. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

08-07-2011, 11:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 29	you want your suspension to roll in the rain Last edited by cossie1600; 08-08-2011 at 12:11 AM.

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05-24-2011, 03:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Scott @ RA Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 410 Drives: Ridiculously Fast Rep Power: 15	Sway bar settings generally do not have an impact on how "stiff" your ride quality is, per say. That is usually directly impacted by spring rates and shock valving (mostly high speed in compression), etc. Stiffening up the sway bars generally only effects the side to side transfer of weight more commonly referred to as body roll. So yes, you absolutely can run your sway bars at the stiffest setting for the street, (I prefer it and do it all the time). The only likely adverse effects you may have by doing this is less grip on wet roads and the car having more of a tendency to want to follow the grooves in the roads a little more.

05-24-2011, 08:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 119	And the fact that your endlinks probably won't hold up.

05-24-2011, 10:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	all good posts above. op -you have to setup the swaybar to COMPLIMENT the suspension's overall dynamics. you cant just slap something on and expect it to handle like a race car when one might be running some shitt tires or something stupid.

08-07-2011, 08:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
gmr19 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 116 Drives: '11 370Z 6MT Sport Rep Power: 14	Don't stiffer sways help the tire's contact patch on the road? How does this reduce wet grip? I'm thinking about getting some Stillen sways on OEM suspension to reduce body roll. Will this condition wear out any other parts prematurely? Would probably run medium setting front/rear.

08-12-2011, 02:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 223	I have a question.... The PowerHouse Amuse Z34 runs stock sways (only have coilovers so as far as I can tell). They ran a MUCH faster time at Tskuba than the Nismo Z with stiffer sways. The Amuse Z does have 15 more ponies than the Nismo, but that does not seem to be enough to justify a 2 second advantage on that track. Is it better to go sway less for the track??

08-12-2011, 02:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 29	stiff suspension is pretty much like sway bars. sway bars are just cheap ways to modify your car. a nice coilover setup is almost alwats better