Rear Sway Bar Reinforcement

[ramblin_wreck08]

Just ran around an autocross course in my 99 GSR for the first time today. I want to cancel out the understeer for as cheap as possible right now, so I was looking at upgrading the rear sway bar to 22mm. After doing some research I've concluded that I'll need either a subframe brace (ASR or Comptech) or a Beaks reinforcement kit (http://www.beaksproducts.com/SRK_EG_DC_Sub_Reinforcement.htm) in addition to an ITR sway bar to prevent from subframe tear-out.

What would you recommend as the safest way to protect the subframe? Brace, reinforcement kit, or something not listed? Thanks in advance.

 

[XslickwhitetegX]

ASR FTW

beaks bar is a lower tie bar not a reinforcment. It does not replace one of the reinforcment kits like the asr or comptech. It acts more like a strut bar and helps to stiffin the the chassis. The asr and comptech accomplish this as well as keeping your subframe from ripping out with an upgraded sway bar. your also going to need some kind of endlinks, like BSQ kit.. I prefer fuction 7 endlinks.... I herd few issues with bsq.

 

[Tam4511]

Beaks rear x bar comes out this month

 

[suspendedHatch]

If you get the Progress adjustable rear swaybar, you don't need reinforcement.

 

[Integraguy04]

you can also get the subframe brace from function 7...i think that one looks the best especially if you get the matching rear LCA's

 

[ramblin_wreck08]

ASR FTW

beaks bar is a lower tie bar not a reinforcment. It does not replace one of the reinforcment kits like the asr or comptech. It acts more like a strut bar and helps to stiffin the the chassis. The asr and comptech accomplish this as well as keeping your subframe from ripping out with an upgraded sway bar. your also going to need some kind of endlinks, like BSQ kit.. I prefer fuction 7 endlinks.... I herd few issues with bsq.

What's the benefit of getting aftermarket endlinks? Would the stock (or ITR for that matter) ones not work?

In a post from '06 where g3teg97 is looking at the same sort of thing, he has the following listed out as all parts needed, minus some sort of subframe reinforcement. No mention of needing to get endlinks:

"Part list for ITR sway bar

These parts are OEM Acura and can be found at dealerships and/or online OEM part distributors. Here's what you need:

* 52300-ST7-Z01 rear swaybar
* 52315-ST7-Z01 swaybar bushing (2 needed)
* 52308-SS0-000 bushing bracket (2 needed)
* 52316-ST7-Z00 endlink bushing (2 needed)
* 52312-ST7-Z00 endlink bushing collar (4 needed) – reusable from the stock sway bar
* 90175-ST7-Z00 bolt (8x35) (2 needed)
* 94050-08080 flange nut (8mm) (2 needed)"

 

[Samurai_Blue]

look at my build thread

 

[ramblin_wreck08]

look at my build thread

Read through the first 28 pages so far. lol. Sick build. Still not to the endlinks yet but I'll get there sooner or later. :thumbs up Aside from the ASR brace and sway bar, what other parts did you need to do the conversion? Bolts, bushings, collars, brackets?

 

[Samurai_Blue]

A spec racing provides all the fittings. The only extra bolt you need is a 110mm long bolt if you run a brace and tie bar. but you dont really need to for auto x.

 

[ramblin_wreck08]

A spec racing provides all the fittings. The only extra bolt you need is a 110mm long bolt if you run a brace and tie bar. but you dont really need to for auto x.

Thanks bro. Nice that all the stock components work for hooking up the sway bar itself. Saves some money. Yeah not planning on a tie bar at this moment.

Really want to start auto x once it starts back up this spring. Figured going bigger on the rear sway bar was probably the cheapest way to cancel out most of the understeer. Was really killing corner speeds. Hopefully it won't make the ride too stiff around town. Brace and bar added to my Christmas list.

Might need to replace some rusted suspension parts on on the front too before I push the car too hard. :roll:

 

[ramblin_wreck08]

ASR FTW

beaks bar is a lower tie bar not a reinforcment. It does not replace one of the reinforcment kits like the asr or comptech. It acts more like a strut bar and helps to stiffin the the chassis. The asr and comptech accomplish this as well as keeping your subframe from ripping out with an upgraded sway bar. your also going to need some kind of endlinks, like BSQ kit.. I prefer fuction 7 endlinks.... I herd few issues with bsq.

BTW...I was talking about this http://www.beaksproducts.com/SRK_EG_DC_Sub_Reinforcement.htm

But my mind's set on the ASR now anyway...just wanted to clarify

 

[Samurai_Blue]

talk to jznsn2u via PM he has a Blox 21mm that hes trying to get rid of. I have had very good experience with a 21mm, you want to have your rear smaller than the front. you have a 98 front so im going to assume you have a 98+ car, so that means you have a 24mm front sway. I ran that set up with a 21mm sway and it was nice.

 

[ramblin_wreck08]

Yep. Got a '99 GSR. Guess I should add an avatar for reference.

How's your cornering with the 21mm? Close to neutral? Right on neutral is my ultimate goal. Don't want to oversteer unless I really do something stupid. Was planning on putting in an ITR rear sway bar (22mm), which would give me 4.6 times the stiffness vs. 3.6 times with the 21mm. Pretty significant difference. All things equal it's a matter of raising the size to the 4th power.

 

[Samurai_Blue]

Yep. Got a '99 GSR. Guess I should add an avatar for reference.

How's your cornering with the 21mm? Close to neutral? Right on neutral is my ultimate goal. Don't want to oversteer unless I really do something stupid. Was planning on putting in an ITR rear sway bar (22mm), which would give me 4.6 times the stiffness vs. 3.6 times with the 21mm. Pretty significant difference. All things equal it's a matter of raising the size to the 4th power.

front wheel drive cars will always understeer. Its the nature of having a FF drivetrain. My driving style allows me to keep the car as neutral as possible on the circuit. I belive i tend to understeer in auto x due to my suspension set up (the entire setup)

 

[ramblin_wreck08]

My last numbers were wrong. Could have sworn the stock rear sway was 15mm, but it's actually 14mm. Theoretically a 21mm is 5x stiffer and 22mm is 6x stiffer (22mm is 1.2x stiffer than 21mm). At that point the composition of the bar plays an impact in how much of a difference there is between the 21mm and 22mm. Could easily have the same effect on the car. Guess I'll go for whatever I can get for the lowest cost.

Thanks for all the help. ASR + 21-23mm rear sway bar on the list of things to get. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Should be able to go for it once I sell my Civic. :thumbs up