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The initial reduction in understeer is most likely due to just reducing the body roll up front. The body roll, especially on softer springs, will induce understeer by throwing the

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Old 07-09-2014, 01:38 PM   #1 (permalink)
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The initial reduction in understeer is most likely due to just reducing the body roll up front. The body roll, especially on softer springs, will induce understeer by throwing the CG towards the outside front wheel. But there should be a point where "too much" bar will yes, cause the outside to again push. But the first problem you are trying to solve with the stiffer bar is killing some body roll.

If the car was close to being balanced then a sway bar is sort of like the trim on an airplane. But when the front is bouncing around like a pogo stick as it does on the OEM suspension, you are dealing with a problem situation, not a fine tuning situation.
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Old 07-09-2014, 02:47 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by GSS138 View Post
The initial reduction in understeer is most likely due to just reducing the body roll up front. The body roll, especially on softer springs, will induce understeer by throwing the CG towards the outside front wheel. But there should be a point where "too much" bar will yes, cause the outside to again push. But the first problem you are trying to solve with the stiffer bar is killing some body roll.

If the car was close to being balanced then a sway bar is sort of like the trim on an airplane. But when the front is bouncing around like a pogo stick as it does on the OEM suspension, you are dealing with a problem situation, not a fine tuning situation.
Now I'm agreeing. Too much roll will overwhelm the outside tire, and by reducing that roll, you are correct that it will balance the car more. Ideally, you want as little swaybar as possible up front, with the work being done by the springs. For lack of springs, the swaybar is the poor man's substitute.

Years ago I was at a little speaking engagement by Carrol Smith and it really enlightened me to the "common sense" portion of setting up cars. His quote was "Swaybars do all the right things for all the wrong reasons". Basically, the front swaybar is balancing the car by putting load on the inside spring. But the load isn't into the ground, but actually LIFTING the tire, thus reducing the grip on the inside tire...hence the push. Luckily the Z, with its immense front weight, is still able to keep a load on the inside and keep its balance. I used to autocross a MR2 Spyder...and if you have ever seen one of those (or some Porsche vehicles for that matter) with big front bars, seeing them three wheel out of corners is a very common occurence!

Tracy Ramsey
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Old 07-09-2014, 05:09 PM   #3 (permalink)
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I'm running the Hotchkis sway bars (biggest bars out there).The rear on the softest setting. Front camber -2, caster +6, toe zero. Rear camber -1.75, and toe zero. With 275/35-19 front and 325/30-19 rear tires. Fo me, it feels pretty much balanced for my driving level.
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Old 07-10-2014, 09:11 AM   #4 (permalink)
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I'm running the Hotchkis sway bars (biggest bars out there).The rear on the softest setting. Front camber -2, caster +6, toe zero. Rear camber -1.75, and toe zero. With 275/35-19 front and 325/30-19 rear tires. Fo me, it feels pretty much balanced for my driving level.
Yeah so that basically mirrors my setup, except I'm on square 275/35-18s or 285/645-18's and half a degree more front camber. I expect mine's a little more oversteer-happy than yours, but it's comfy and controllable to me. That and I'm running those nice JRZ dampers, but with fairly weak spring rates on them.
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Old 07-10-2014, 11:04 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Now I'm agreeing. Too much roll will overwhelm the outside tire, and by reducing that roll, you are correct that it will balance the car more. Ideally, you want as little swaybar as possible up front, with the work being done by the springs. For lack of springs, the swaybar is the poor man's substitute.

Years ago I was at a little speaking engagement by Carrol Smith and it really enlightened me to the "common sense" portion of setting up cars. His quote was "Swaybars do all the right things for all the wrong reasons". Basically, the front swaybar is balancing the car by putting load on the inside spring. But the load isn't into the ground, but actually LIFTING the tire, thus reducing the grip on the inside tire...hence the push. Luckily the Z, with its immense front weight, is still able to keep a load on the inside and keep its balance. I used to autocross a MR2 Spyder...and if you have ever seen one of those (or some Porsche vehicles for that matter) with big front bars, seeing them three wheel out of corners is a very common occurence!

Tracy Ramsey
Pretty much use the same train of thought, I am also a big Carroll Smith fan.

It always bothers me when I see those damn 3 wheeling pictures lol.
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