Sway Bar Replacement? What Did You Choose?

[Newjack]

I'm looking at this TMS setup:

TMS Non-M Sway Kit

I've heard that the "upgrade" to the 27mm bar up front is sufficient without worry about the rear sway bar. Should I just buy the front bar?

Is this a pretty easy DIY install? The BavAuto DIY Video seems pretty straight forward.

M0nk3y and Derbo posted on a suspension thread a little while back and gave some really great advice about sway bars and even not running a sway bar in the rear. I'll see if I can find the thread somewhere.

I can see m0nk3y looking at this thread so its only a matter of time before he hits you with some knowledge.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[Newjack]

Found it.

Good discussion inside.

[quikryptonite]

Found it.

Good discussion inside.

I remember seeing that post before. I couldn't find it. Thank you sir. I'll check it out.

[PirateZHP]

First, I have Hotchkis front and rear sway bars. I think it feels AMAZING! However, I do not auto-x or race, so those guys may feel differently. I think if you are wanting to take on-ramps/off-ramps/quick turns, front and rear will feel great to you as well. Now, I do have the rear on the softest setting... so take that for what it's worth to you.

Second, the rear install was a PITA! But, the front is one of the easiest things you can do to the car! If you get both, do the rear first so that you get really pissed off first, then when you move to the front it will be happy days and smooth sailing.

All my opinion, of course... enjoy the sway(s) either way!

[M0nk3y]

I'm looking at this TMS setup:

TMS Non-M Sway Kit

I've heard that the "upgrade" to the 27mm bar up front is sufficient without worry about the rear sway bar. Should I just buy the front bar?

Is this a pretty easy DIY install? The BavAuto DIY Video seems pretty straight forward.

Depends on what you want to achieve out of your car.

From my experience, and talking with TCK Racing, running a front bar and a stock rear (or no rear) helps the weight transfer to the rear wheels and helps with power down. If you add a stiffer bar in the rear, you're forcing weight to get transferred to the front wheels, which will promote more understeer.

Typically, adding a front bar on RWD cars increases understeer. But with our suspension geometry, you can gain grip up front and still benefit from adding weight transfer to the rear for power. However, there is a law of diminishing returns when you start to do this. You can only go so stiff up front before you start adding more understeer. When that happens you either gotta lighten up the bar, or add more camber and change suspension geometry (like going 0 toe or even toe out...etc).

Makes sense?

As for install, the front is easy. Just gotta drop the skid panel and everything is right there.

[quikryptonite]

Cool, thanks for the info. So for my purposes it sounds like I would be better off going with this:

H&R E46 Sway Bar

Is there much of a difference between this and say the Hotchkis?

[PirateZHP]

Cool, thanks for the info. So for my purposes it sounds like I would be better off going with this:

H&R E46 Sway Bar

Is there much of a difference between this and say the Hotchkis?

Only real difference is that the Hotchkis bar is three-way adjustable.

[quikryptonite]

Only real difference is that the Hotchkis bar is three-way adjustable.

And that is more for serious drivers who are auto-xing and such?

[PirateZHP]

Eh... just more adjustments to see what fits best with your driving. I have mine on the middle setting and love it.

[PirateZHP]

Thought you may be interested in this...

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=961186