As you may have seen in other threads, I got some S.Drives and lighter Konig wheels as well as the 19mm Alta rear sway bar installed yesterday. The car feels great. However, as I'm sure you all know, it's a slippery slope and I'm already considering what will be next (as soon as I recoup the cash I blew on this batch.)

The car feels tighter in corners but there is still a bit of body roll. Do I just need to go full stiff on the bar (currently middle setting.), or would lowering springs be the way to go to *really* tighten it up? Something else?

There is quite a bit of wheel gap now so lowering it is starting to sound like a good idea already.

I'm also leaning towards the aFe CAI later in the summer.

 

I would say that setting your bar to full stiff would be the next move to make. It it already on the car and it costs nothing to do!

If that doesn't work, then lowering springs would be a great compliment to the sway bar. I would look at Texas Speedwerks or Swift if you are going with OEM shocks. You also might be happy with the JCW springs if you are just looking to close some wheel gap. Keep in mind, the more you lower the car, the more modification the whole suspension will need to be adjusted properly. Once you pass a certain point in lowering ride height, the factory rear arms can no longer correct the difference in camber and you will need aftermarket ones to correct this change. So, add $250 right there to the cost of lowering the car. Also, the lower the spring and heavier the spring rate, you may need to swap shocks, which roughly runs about $750 for a set of Koni Yellow sport shocks (take lowering well).

With that being said, the Texas Speedwerks spring is made to mildly drop the car and significantly improve ride and handling over OEM, all while maintaining the use of OEM control arms and shocks. Springs run about $220. That is what I run and I love my springs. Predictable handling, a better stance, and a quality ride.

BTW, the aFe intake would totally be worth the money as well. You can't go wrong with either mod

 

I have a 06 R50 also and fitted TSW springs myself. They handle nice (would prefer slightly stiffer though), and are very comfortable. However, my car did not lower at all when combined with IE fixed camber plates. My front sits 1mm higher than stock. Maybe because the R50 has less weight up front than the R53?

If I were you, I'd wait for the Swift springs. They sound pretty promissing.

 

Thanks for the input! Are the swift springs something that is going to be on the market soon? I've heard lots of good stuff about the TSW but I just assumed they would lower the ride a bit.. I would really like to get rid of that gap. I will be getting the IE camber plates as well.

I thought I'd be "done" with putting money into my car after wheels, tires, and sway bar but now there are a dozen more toys I want to get. When does it end?

 

Yeah after about 800+ miles my front end isn't dropped at all. The rear is though. I'd also recommend the cabrio braces for a super cheap upgrade. My car feels like it has less vibrations after I installed them, so it definitely stiffened the front some

 

Bang for the buck you def need to get our Cooper intake

The TSW springs are also great, very predictable and slightly lower.

Otherwise you need to develop a plan. What do you want the car to do better? Then go from their.

 

At this time I'm really leaning towards the aFe intake after talking to some people with experience with a few different CAI's.

As far as everything else, I am generally looking to improve handling and eliminate as much body roll as possible. Visually I would like to lower the stance a little as well.

After that's accomplished I will be installing a Sprint Booster to eliminate the off-idle lag that makes city street downshifting a hassle. I wish it wasn't so pricey.

 

Considering the price of the Sprint Booster, it seems like it would be better off getting a tune from RMW or GIAC.

 

If you are getting the plates, I would consider the M7 springs. They ride very well, lower the car a bit more (I couldn't fit them because I like my splitter on my car and not on the road!) and they work well with stock shocks. Keep in mind, however, those IE camber plates will keep your front end looking a bit more "stock" after lowerign due to the lack of give that the metal plates have have, plus the camber plates are a bit thicker than OEM mounts.

So, I would say M7 springs with the plates or TSW without. Either way, great springs.