Suspension Choices?

[avera01]

Hi,

Perhaps I can get some advice and choosing which direction to go.

I want to improve the cornering aspects of my car and was considering the Racing Beat springs and their front sway bar. As for the rear, there is the CorkSport torsion bar and the Racing Beat rear sway bar.

What is the difference between the two in terms of performance benefits? One is $100 and the other is almost $200.

Also, with the springs, do I need to do a front end alignment after installation?

As for the other upgrades, I will be replacing the muffler with Racing Beat muffler, and putting 16" rims with 195/45 tires.

I have already replaced the air filter with K&N filter and put in some Silver star bulbs to improve the headlamps. The rest will be more of cosmetics and sound changes like leather boot and steering wheel wrap (I have the Sport version). Perhaps later change the seat upholstery to a leatherette (like in the VW Jetta) or leather.

Love my 2


Thanks for any advice giving.

 

[JJC3925]

Racing Beat springs will make the car stiffer but will not lower your car very much so keep that in mind when u decide if u want to lower your car to get rid of some wheel gap....that aside

Id assume from the design difference that the Racing beat sway bar will be a little better than the Corksport Torsion bar. Is it worth the extra $100..umm probably not. i installed the Corksport torsion bar on my girlfriends car and i honestly love it..turn in response is great in that car. I would definately stiffen up the rear before the front to help with the understeer in the car. my girlfriends car has the H&R Springs paired with the corksport bar and it handles and looks great.

i recommend getting an alignment after installing springs. i also recommend getting 205 tires for your new wheels

 

[avera01]

Thanks for the information. As for lowering the car, will this dramatically improve the handling? I want to avoid a hard ride as I use the car for work driving around 100 miles daily. I just want to improve cornering so the car doesn't roll as much and with better tires, stick to the ground better and hopefully improve braking distance.

 

[Richard_rsp]

I have the Racing Beat rear bar (along with Rb Springs and front sway), and I am pleased. However, I have not used the corksport, nor have I seen it installed in person.

That being said, it appears to me that the corksport mounts to each side of the torsion beam with a single bolt. The Racing Beat bar has two plates that sit under the beam and are bolted with 4 bolts on each side. A torsion beam will both twist and bow under cornering. While I would imagine the corksport would help prevent bowing of the bar, I would think having a single pivot point is more conducive to allowing twist than the two plate design of the racing beat.

All in all: I chose the racing beat due to the fact that the springs and sways are a matched set - designed with each other in mind. so far, I'm happy! However, I'm sure the corksport works plenty well enough for a daily driven car!

 

[JJC3925]

if u want to improve handling and lose some body roll i definately suggest lowering the car. I have only had experience with the H&R springs on the 2. and the ride quality has not suffered alot. its only slightly stiffer on bumps so nothing that really bothers comfort alot.

As i stated above..the racing beat sway bar in the rear looks like a better product. but for an extra 100 bucks its i doubt its that much better considering the Corksport bar works extremely well despite what i first thought seeing the design.

 

[avera01]

I also saw that several other manufacturers of torsion bars have a similar design to the Corksport brand. Corksport sells AUTOEXE and there is Ultra Racing, both use the single bolt design. However I believe that Ultra Racing's bar is made from steel. Not sure how much a difference material will make if both are made to the same performance standards

 

[rchrist364]

So what do you recommend for better handling and lowering..?…H&R?

 

[JJC3925]

any of the available springs will be good for handling...you just have to pay attention to how low you want to go....H&R is really nice on the 2 tho. the rear torsion bar will help alot with roll and will help with the understeer as i mentioned

 

[Shawner]

Just lowered mine using the H&R springs. Closed the wheel gap real nice. The ride is rougher, but handling is improved. Great upgrade imo.

 

[caloyski5]

ill go for eibach than HNR on the 2