What exactly is the benefit of upgrading it?

 

Reduces understeer (push) in a turn.

 

thought i'd send you this link from my old forum. my wrx used to understeer horribly in factory form.. fortunately we can fix that easily! sway bars are great. companies intentionally make cars with understeer as they feel it's a safer alternative to a responsive (and to some overresponsive) steering car. my '05 M3 is the exact opposite with dcs turned off...wheeeeee! happy reading! http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1152714

 

Upgrading my MC to a 19mm H&R rear sway bar is my favorite mod. My MC corners way better ..... flatter, no push, no squeal ..... just so much better it is hard to describe. It is well worth the effort to upgrade. I did mine by myself using directions found here on NAM.

 

Swaybar is to handleing as 15% pulley is to power....

 

I just installed a 19mm sway bar on my MCC and it made a huge difference in cornering. Much flatter and more responsive in the corners. Very neutral.

 

I just put the Alta 22mm, 3 way adjustment on mine. Set to the middle setting, it is great.

 

The IE 22mm with end links is a great value too. Link below to Ireland.

 

The only true way to understand it is to experience it. If I was to try and explain how my car with the 19mm Hotchkis feels, it's as if the car rotates in a turn compared to the push it used to have. Do it and you'll feel the difference.

 

Not one bad thing! I think im going to splurge and pick one up. Thanks everybody.

 

Yep the 19mm rear bar does help. I have one myself. At sane speeds it's great. Go fast enough & it will still understeer. I'm talking track speeds.

 

About time!

 

I know. I've been too concerned with the engine mods. I gotta start thinking handling

 

i just picked up a 19mm Alta Bar. What are most ppl setting it at? I was thinking about setting it at the stiffest. Thoughts?

 

I had mine installed at Helix and they set it at the middle setting. Still a big improvement and allows for a little bit more in the future. I'd say middle so you can feel it but also so you can get used to it without the car getting out of hand too soon.

 

depends on what other mods you've done, you're driving style/ability, and what type of suspension your car has. For me, the stock suspension with FSB and USS needed the stiff setting. I've had half a mind to turn it back to the middle setting for safety on the street.

If you've got camber plates or anything else that reduces understeer, you'll need less rear bar. I think the safest thing to do is set it at its softest, and drive for a while. If you feel you need more, bump it up a notch. Adjustments are easy if you know how to take a wheel off.

 

did you get 19 or 22?

 

19mm Hotchkis Sport bar. I could have gotten the Alta bar for about $20 less but I trust the name more and I like the stealthiness of the black bar.

 

I like the black color also, but I really like the grease-able bushings. Zerk fittings for the win.

 

Anyone know the weight of the H-sport 19mm bar? Weight of the stock MCS bar?

 

why would the weight matter?

 

Because lighter is better. It's been a while but my stock bar was definitely heavier than my 22mm H-Sport.

 

"Swaybar is to handling as 15% pulley is to power...." - minimarks

This sums it up quite well.