How many of you are using a front sway-bar in your ITA CRX?

[ITR#231]

I have been exchanging information with a handful of people on this board regarding various setups for these cars. While certain opinions seem to be pretty pervasive, I have seen a wide range of opinions regarding optimal front/rear roll stiffness. Some people prefer to increase the size of the rear bar and keep the OEM front, some increase the rear and remove the front, and others just remove the front and use the OEM rear. And this seems to be done within a narrow range of spring rates that are similar to mine (400-500F/500-700R).
I drove all last year on OEM sway bars front and rear. This season I have removed the front bar and have continued to use the OEM rear. I have yet to manipulate the rear sway bar thickness, but this is next.

I would just like to get an idea for who's running what in this specific application. Thanks for any input.



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'88 CRX Si - ITA/PS2 road racer: Handles like it's on jack stands
'98 ITR #0231 - DS autocrosser: Handles like I sold it
'02 Jeep Grand Cherokee - daily driver/tow vehicle: Handles like a jumping castle

[Tom Blaney]

nope

[Fleetcare]

Nope.. Richie made me take it off first timeout!

[Richy Gonzalez]

Just what Fleetcare said

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Richy Gonzalez
GB Racing - #24 ITA CRX
LAMIN-X Protective Films

[Richy Gonzalez]

Just what Fleetcare said

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Richy Gonzalez
GB Racing - #24 ITA CRX
LAMIN-X Protective Films

[uscrew96]

We used a bigger rear bar, and run the stock bar in front only conneted on one side.

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Mike Machi crew chief USGUYS RACING

[Richy Gonzalez]

...connected on one side

This sounds odd to me. Is this the same as not having one at all? The only reason I see keeping it is for weight. Just curious.

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Richy Gonzalez
GB Racing - #24 ITA CRX
LAMIN-X Protective Films

[ITR#231]

Originally posted by Richy Gonzalez:
...connected on one side

This sounds odd to me. Is this the same as not having one at all? The only reason I see keeping it is for weight. Just curious.

Yea, with no attachment point on one side there is nothing to "coil" the sway bar, so essentially that's no bar at all from a suspension standpoint. Weight might be a different issue.

So far, it looks like no front sway bar is the way to go.


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'88 CRX Si - ITA/PS2/H4 #4: Handles like it's on jack stands
'98 ITR #0231 - DS autocrosser: Handles like I sold it
'02 Jeep Grand Cherokee - daily driver/tow vehicle: Handles like a jumping castle

[Greg Gauper]

Yes, if you disconnect one link, you have effectively removed the front bar, excluding friction in the bushings.

This BTW, makes it a quick and easy method to do a back-to-back test to see if it helps/hurts you.

Run half a practice session to get your tires hot, pit, and quickly remove one link (one nut & bolt and it slides out) and then head back out.

Mine is still installed but disconnected just because I'm too lazy to remove it.

[uscrew96]

with out bar going around the carasal at road america the car is unsetteling, the same at 12 at road alt,. Greg you know how fast it is. the bar gives it just spring to settle the car down.

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Mike Machi crew chief USGUYS RACING

[lateapex911]

So Mike, let me see if I understand you correctly. You run a front bar, but disconnected at one end. And with it disconnected, you feel it settles the car as opposed to removing it completely?

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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]

[oanglade]

Could it be binding?

[Greg Gauper]

I guess I'm confused as well Mike, after re-reading your post.

The only way a front bar can have any effect with one link disconnected is either severe friction from the bushings, or the bar is binding.

There is the issue of slightly increased insprung weight but that should be negligable.

So are you saying Tony notices the effect with one end disconnected, or are you saying you guys normally run with it disconnected and only hook it up at specific tracks with high speed corners like Road America or Road Atlanta?

[uscrew96]

Tony saids he notices it. We lieve it on all the time. stock bar with aftermarket bushing, could be binding . Jake yes. That what driver saids. At slow speed he dosn't notices it but high speed he dose.

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Mike Machi crew chief USGUYS RACING

[lateapex911]

Interesting.........

As Greg pointed out that condition is a theoretical impossibility....

unless your shocks are totally shot, and there is binding in the bar linkage/bushing, and there is a dampening effect, similar to an old lever (friction) shock....

I would think that "more spring" wouldn't settle the car, and I can't see how a bar that's disconnected at one end could add spring rate....dampening, perhaps.

....but that's a WAG!

Hey, if the driver is happy fast and quiet, what more can you ask for, right?

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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]

[Greg Gauper]

The issue of binding is possible if the right link is disconnected. If the left link was unhooked it would have zero effect in the fast sweepers at Road America. In that case I figure Tony is imagining things An easy test would be to disconnect both links without telling him (use zip ties to keep the bar from hitting) and see if he notices any difference.

[This message has been edited by Greg Gauper (edited March 18, 2004).]

[uscrew96]

its is only hookup on left side.

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Mike Machi crew chief USGUYS RACING