Am I the first? (sway bars)

[dcomiskey]

Decided to treat myself to a new present for my car: http://www.therpmstore.com/product_info.php?cPath=122&products_id=701

Got the set of Cobb Tuning f/r sway bars. Have no clue when I'll have time to install (just like my new brake lines and pads I got 2 months ago), but I promise to post step-by-step instructions, much like I did with my GTI a few years ago and used by many. I hope it's not too difficult...

 

[knowledge007]

Nice, I might pick this up just b/c its so cheap...

 

[dcomiskey]

Yeah, I think the prices on these and the Hotchkiss are right on. The only real reason I went with Cobb is because the rear is adjustable. Although, it will be interesting to see what 90% more stiffness in the rear does.... DORIFTOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

 

[Rotus8]

Yeah, I think the prices on these and the Hotchkiss are right on. The only real reason I went with Cobb is because the rear is adjustable. Although, it will be interesting to see what 90% more stiffness in the rear does.... DORIFTOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Installing the front is a real PITA. You have to drop the main front cross member to access. You need a big torque wrench to put it back, something like 130 FtLb if I remember. Also, when you install the front, position the pivot brackets as far to the rear of the car as possible in their slots.

These bars are almost identical to the Hotchkis ones (in fact rumor has it that Hotchkis makes them). Both seller's rear bars are adjustable. The specs on the Hotchkis suggest they are stiffer than the Cobb.

You'll love the result. Best handling mod ever for this car.

 

[dcomiskey]

Oh, crap. Thanks! I forgot about having to drop the sub-frame. What a pain in the ass. Maybe I'll save that for a friend who owns a shop and lift and have him do it.

 

[SwampAss]

It will also make your car ride a touch stiffer. I did the ones in my Golf IV. That also required me to lower the front subframe. Rear swaybar took 10 minutes. Front took 5 hours.

 

[dcomiskey]

It will also make your car ride a touch stiffer. I did the ones in my Golf IV. That also required me to lower the front subframe. Rear swaybar took 10 minutes. Front took 5 hours.

Hmm. I didn't do the front on mt GTI (no reason) but did the rear and didn't change the ride quality whatsoever.

 

[SwampAss]

mine did.

 

[numbnuts22715]

Hmm. I didn't do the front on mt GTI (no reason) but did the rear and didn't change the ride quality whatsoever.

did you get a stiffer sway bar??
reason i ask, is because sway bars make a huugee difference, even if the sway bar is only 1 or 2 mm different.

 

[dcomiskey]

Yeah, I got the Neuspeed 28mm rear bar. There is no stock bar on the GTI and it was the best mod I ever did.

 

[Derek88]

Since I dont have the time or the patience to install the front by my self, would the rear only give a dramatic change alone?

I was looking at these the other day, but I didnt know much about them.

 

[Rotus8]

Since I dont have the time or the patience to install the front by my self, would the rear only give a dramatic change alone?

I was looking at these the other day, but I didnt know much about them.

I would say the rear only would give a dramatic change, but you probably won't like it. The rear will be way too stiff combined with the stock front and you will get some pretty entertaining oversteer, if you live through it.

Short answer: don't.

 

[J-protege]

Experiment with it. A lot of the Protege guys have found that aftermarket bar for the rear only, with a stock front provides very neutral steering, without an under or oversteer.

Try it with the rear only at first, and if you find it oversteers too much, work on the front bar after that.

It'll save you lots of work if it turns out you like it with rear only.

 

[Young Roids]

Sway bars will make it handle great but there are problems with them. The whole dropping the sub frame issue is really bad like you said. Since I never got my front bar in I just put the rear in one car I had and the endlinks would snap off. You will need a shop that will agree to put in the front. I went to at least 3 shops and none of them could/would put the front one in. And like I said before if you go with a real stiff bar you are gonna snap the endlinks all the time you really need aftermarket endlinks that are increased strenghth.

 

[Nutari]

And like I said before if you go with a real stiff bar you are gonna snap the endlinks all the time you really need aftermarket endlinks that are increased strenghth.

You mean like these?

http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/product_info.php?cPath=281_160_254&products_id=1231

http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/product_info.php?cPath=281_160_254&products_id=1232

 

[Young Roids]

^yea like those. If they don't break then they are cool.

 

[dcomiskey]

Roids, thanks for the link. I just bought a set of them.