I went out and measured the rear sway bar on my new JCW and I measured it at 16mm. So I decided to move up to the 19mm from Alta Performance. Anyone else do this? I bought the parts but haven't had them installed yet, so I am curious if maybe I should step up to the 22mm swaybar instead. I suspect there is a big difference between the 19 and the 22 on the JCW and I would like to hear comments. I don't track the car but I can drive it like it is on the track and I enjoy performance... but is the 22mm just too stiff for regular use? Here is a picture of the Alta 19mm adjustable sway bar.

 

Those pesky mm's are so small they're hard to measure...
I don't believe the R56 comes with a 16mm bar, the non-sport is 17mm, the sport is 18mm, and the JCW rear bar is 18.5mm. (the latter is available from parts department separately, or as part of the dealer installed JCW suspension)

It sounds like your JCW came with the standard suspension, if you are not changing the front bar (and there is really no need) then a 19mm rear bar should be a great match for the non-sport front bar. Just bolt on and go, no need to worry whether you should have got the 22mm bar...

 

For being a hooligan out and about on the streets, you'd be very happy with an adjustable 19mm.

 

Ok cool I appreciate your comments. I still want the car to be very streetable, but there are times when my Skip Barber performance driving experience gets the better of me and then it's hooligan-city. Sounds like the 19 will work fine. I plan to start it out on the stiffest setting and match it with a new set of coilovers.

I measured the stock bar a couple times... of course with a simple manual what-cha-ma-call-it, but it did read 16mm. I wonder if they installed the base sway bar on my JCW, or maybe I need to get better tools... or maybe it is like measuring 2X4s.

 

go for the 22mms!!, in the softest position it is ok to drive on regular streets.. but of course it is not going to be like a Lincoln Towncar...
I have mine at the middle position and I´m driving dailay about 70-100 km..

 

The Whiteline adjustable 20mm is a good compromise between the 19 and 22. JSC Speed has them for $175.
http://www.jscspeed.com/mini_r56/sus...wl_r56bars.htm

You stated that you plan to add coil-overs so that will also influence what size rear bar you need especially if the coil-overs have adjustable camber plates. With more negative front camber you will need less rear bar. Also the spring rates will influence what size rear bar. If you already have the 19mm bar, I would stick with that bar until after you make other suspension changes.

 

well I bought the 19mm from Alta. It is cool that I live just down the street from their world headquarters. But I haven't installed it yet and I am having second thoughts about the 19... thinking that i might be shorting my system.

Alta 19 or 22 sway bar
Alta lower control arms
Alta rear adjustable sway bar end links
Probably M7 coilovers

I like performance and I want a trackable car. I just really don't plan to track it. Maybe a couple times is all. So it is mainly street but I certainly enjoy performance driving... I also want to be able to have another professional co-worker in the car with out it being so rough that it's annoying to them. So with this system, I'm hearing both are ok. I imagine it is preference but I cant test drive them to see what I like first. So hearing your opinions help.

 

If you are not planning to increase the negative camber in the front, a 22mm bar will probably work well for you. I had H&R Springs with 25mm hollow bar (equivalent to about 23mm solid) and no front camber adjustment. The bar was set on the softest setting. That worked well for street and about one track day a year. If you ever plan to Auto-X it is nice to have a larger bar that you can adjust stiffer for Auto-X and return it to a softer setting for street. It seems that most people that use a 19mm bar usually have it set at the stiffest setting which leaves no room for adjustment.

 

hmmm... good point.

 

On my 2008 MCS, I had the 22mm with the softest setting. Yesterday, I had a Hotchkis 19mm installed on my '09 JCW.

For the little twisties I got to play in yesterday, it felt great, the real test will be my next track day.

Mark

 

Nice bar, what springs are in your JCW, base? sport?

I have the Hotchkis 19 on my 07 with TSW Springs, I had to back it to the softest setting, middle setting would be great for AutoX.

Don

 

Don,

I'm using the NM Engineering springs. Fantastic springs....


Mark