WHich first? drop or swaybar?

[Poseur]

FIrstoff let ma apologise if this's been covered before I ran a couple quick searches and couldn't find it, though...
Alright, so here's the deal.

I recently got my paws on some 'speed wheels/tires for my P5 and I've come to the realization that 215's offerup ALOT more grip. But, ofcourse it's enough that it's upset my balance. I was prettymuch intune with my car's handling and it's just off now, the rear tires would rather track and stick than break loose ever so slightly to allow me to pivot. I'll hit a long seeping turn, and instead of rotating just right like I expect, the car leans over to the outside HARD and kinda pushes it's way around. I can still get things to work, but it's alot more work at it than I'm used to or want to deal with for that matter.

Sothen my question is this... I eventually plan to do both, but for the time being I can afford to either get a swaybar, or drop. I'm thinking of either an awr adjustable 19mm or Eibach proline springs. Perhaps there's some better springs for true handleing balance on a daily driver, either way I need some help. I've up to this point just simply enjoyed my car in it's stock suspension form, and haven'thad reason to do anything different. I don't need any sort of racing setup, just something with some more beef to keepup with the extra traction. Appearance has very little to do with any of this, I just like me some backroads at 8/10ths. Of course if I were to be told that they'd have identical resulys, I'd likely opt for the springs since that little smidge of wheelgap would be nice to lose, but I'm much more concerned with performance first.

 

[Poseur]

Actually as long as I'm here there's another thing that's been on my mind. Would it make sense to get a 21.5mm swaybar and run it at it's softest setting as opposed to say a 19 in middle-firm setting? My thoghts arethat the larger one with more leverage on it would be a bit more controlled. Possibly doesn't matter, but it's something stuck in my head.

 

[FunkyBuddha]

I would do the swaybar then. If you like to drive hard, go w/ the 21mm. It'll help you "pivot" better eliminating the understeer effect. The front end is a bit more responsive w/ a thicker bar anyways. As for settings, set it at each of its settings and drive around w/ each setting for a period of time. See what you like best. Dropping the car will improve handling and also give you looks, but in turn will wear your stock struts down quicker. With the swaybar, it'll help stiffen up the rear end and provide greater handling.

Now if you had the cash to lower and get the sway, then all for it...because it is bliss.

 

[dmitrik4]

on a stock suspension and street driving, i wouldn't get the 21.5 bar. you're concerned about balance- the big bar will throw it all off.

definitely do the bar first, though. i'd recommend the Racing Beat 20mm bar off the MSP/MP3- i picked mine up for $40. with the brackets/bushings/endlinks from AWR, you'll be set for well under what you'd spend on the 19mm bar.

 

[Pretzellogic]

on a stock suspension and street driving, i wouldn't get the 21.5 bar. you're concerned about balance- the big bar will throw it all off.

definitely do the bar first, though. i'd recommend the Racing Beat 20mm bar off the MSP/MP3- i picked mine up for $40. with the brackets/bushings/endlinks from AWR, you'll be set for well under what you'd spend on the 19mm bar.

I second that. Get the 19mm bar. My 21.5mm can be a little rude sometimes.

 

[MisterT]

I went for the drop first because I like the look of my 17s with it. Later I may, but doubtfully get sway bars on my ES. In your case though, you may want the sway first if it leans hard on turns.

 

[Mike R]

I've got some MP3 springs FS cheap....You could do both!

 

[Mr. Win]

yea... ill say the bar first 19mm best way to go.

 

[Protege52003]

drop then get diff sway bar....i believe that will improve look and performace/handling and then the sway bar will top it off when installed.

 

[Silver Bullet]

3rd option

If you just put springs on it, It's gonna handle a little better but you're still going to find you suspension very soft. I have already install eibach spring on stock struts and the car was still leaning in curves. But when I have put real struts on it, they were KYB GR-2, I became solid as a rock. So the stock spring and the Eibach were about the same stiffness. If you are not to much into look and want to get a better handing, I would go for new struts only.

That is probably what I will do when I'll need new struts.

(poke)

 

[Poseur]

hmmm... scattered advice liek I've collected up to this point elsewise as well. Thanks alot guys, it all helps. I'm actually now kinda looking at espelir springs. If the info I've found is correct, Eibach seems to have fairly soft rates for the rears which tome would suggest serve to benefit more form a swaybar, espelier's are about the same upfront, but a good bit stiffer outback which would seem to help out with my problem. stiffer rear without the swaybar.
Eibach: F 147-183#/" R 74-133#/" Progressive rate
Espelir: F 179#/" R 157#/" Linear rate
I'd assume the ride to be a bit rougher, though some purists seem to be quite impressed. I'm also expecting to blow my struts fairly soon, but I just can't ponyup thatmuch dough at the moment, so that'll have to wait...

 

[glyph]

I got the 21.5mm AWR, after I put the Espilir springs from AutoRnD on. I love the car now. I have almost the softest setting right now on the sway bar, though. Handling is tight. We'll see just how tight when I pull some laps at Roebling on Friday.

 

[proman]

i say get the sway bar first. you'll probably get more benifit out of the bar than just springs. besides, if your struts are going to need replacing soon, might as well save the time to do the springs and struts at the same time.

 

[glyph]

forget Roebling, I'm off on a trip over the weekend. ack.

 

[FunkyBuddha]

Swaybar..and dont get the 20mm racing beat one because it'll require those crap mazda bushings that everyone's complaining about. Do the AWR 19 or 21.5.