I swear I am losing my mind over this one.... :impatient

I have read every thread out there and have gone back and forth a million times!!!!

I have a track day coming up in 2 weeks at Laguna Seca. I really would like to go with a new sway bar. I am so confused over a 22mm and a 19mm...

I really want to eliminate some of the push/understeer the car has. I really want a neutral feel at the limit. The one thing that scares me is being in a fast sweeper at high speed and having to lift for some reason or another and having major snap oversteer!

Will a 22mm on a soft setting at first, be too much of a handful at high speed? Will a 19mm give me enough stiffness, say even on the hard setting?
I want to put the swaybar on, hit the first corner I come to, and go AHHHHH.... Now thats what I was looking for.... I just know that everything changes at speed on the track.

The only other suspension related mods I have are H&R springs, with OEM dampers.

I want to buy this week and I am giving a last ditch effort to put my mind at ease about my decision.

Before Dr. O reminds me about the camber plates.... I have not forgotten, and definetly plan on some in the near future. I just think that I want the swaybar first!

Any advice would be appreciated!!!!

Thanks, Jasun

 

Since your going to do the camber plates, I'd advise a 19mm H&R. As a plus, it lets you get slightly more oversteer as your track skills get better, assuming you install the plates after your first track day.

 

+1 19mm H&R sway bar (plus they don't squeak)

 

FWIW, my MINI felt fine on the street.
Did a track day at Buttonwillow - plowed all day long.
Installed 22mm (on full soft.)
Did a track day at Laguna. Ahhhhh. Suddenly I was using all four tires instead of one.
Have yet to experience snap oversteer, though I did spin once in 11 - went in too deep, didn't hit the gas and did a nice, slow pirouette.

I've been very happy with it on the street - no surprises, all good.

 

Nice Eric....

This is the kind of stuff I wanted to hear.

When you said that you did the first track day at Buttonwillow was that with the stock sway bar or a 19mm?

Have you tried the 22mm on any other setting than full soft?

I am wondering what the differences would be between hard setting on a 19mm and soft setting on a 22mm...

I am thinking that there are more options or possibilites in a 22mm, I would hate to get a 19mm and start overdriving the stiff setting and just wind up moving up to a 22mm anyway...

Thanks for the feedback

Jasun

 

Buttonwillow was with the stock bar.
I keep telling myself I should try another setting, but to me it feels quite good as is.
Check out this thread that lists the % increase over stock for the different bars/settings from last year when I was embroiled in your dilemma. I can't vouch for their accuracy, but there is some data.
You'll like it, whichever you do.

Remember, take the time to get comfortable with the new feel, especially if you install it just before the track day (bad idea) but that's what I did.
Especially if you're used to FWD.

Another IB/W had just installed the 22 on the middle hole, lifted in 6, spun and kissed the wall.

Who is the track day with?

 

The track day is with Unlimitedlaps April 9th. I am sure there is still some room. You should go, I think I am the only MINI signed up right now.

Isn't 6 the left on the uphill before the corkscrew? I thought I remembered the wall being pretty far away from the pavement there... The guy must of been moving!!!

Yah, I thought about it not being a good idea to install before the track, but come on... You know how it is... I should have a few days before the event.

Do you have camber plates on your car? I am planning on getting some soon and I have heard that with the plates you do not need as much bar. If I got the fixed plates do you think that the 22 would still be feel right???

Thanks for your time...

Jasun

 

Like you mentioned, I'd be concerned with the 19mm not giving you enough performance that you would regret it.
I installed a 22mm 3 Adjustment S.B. and could not be happier I have my bar set on the middle position (297% over stock) and have had good luck with it!
My proof.....January 27th I participated in my 1st Auto-X and placed 19 out of 45. (I found out later that I had been classed wrong and actually placed 9th. Not bad for a 1st timer) On the morning of there was snow on the parking lot so it made for an interesting day. I spun out 1 time on my 1st run because I was being stupid, otherwise my MC had amazing control in wet conditions.





just my actual experince with a 22mm sway bar in demanding conditions

 

My 2 cents: On the stock bar, on track, I used to plow on corners, with terrible understeer. The way to resolve that, logically I thought, was to replace that bar.

Changed to Alta 22mm and initially regretted it, even though it quelled understeer substantially and rotated well into the corner, it rotated TOO well to a point that I was getting power oversteer (though entertaining as quite a handful, it does not make for good timings - what you want as you have mentioned is a neutrality to the handling), with the bar set on the stiffest setting. I thought that I had made a terrible mistake.

Set on the softest setting, however, it provides lovely neutral handling with fantastic rotation (and no power oversteer and negligible lift off over) and all four tires getting even wear (though there is of course still more on the front). Together with bilstein sport shocks and eibach springs, I now have a vehicle that corners flat and neutral and very pleased with it now

I would recommend the Alta 22mm (though I have heard good reports about the H&R 19mm bar, I haven't actually tried my friends cars on limit)!


Cheers

 

Yep, that's turn six - I guess the wall is closer if you're going backwards.
I don't have camber plates, and don't have any experience with them.

Looks like they're now full up...

 

I installed a 22mm Ireland on the rear at 1.5" from the end (stiff) and the response is awesome, very neutral. I'm use to 911's and the feeling is very similar. lots of fun. I recommend it highly.

 

We have H-Sport 22mm rear bars on both of our MINIs and LOVE them. They are a bit more expensive than the ALTA ones, but are lighter than stock

(We keep em set on the medium settings and are happy on both street and track.)

 

I'm looking at getting the Ireland as well, and had a question about setting it. The closer to the ends of the bar that the droplinks are attached, the softer the setting, right? From your post, I couldn't tell.

 

Yup

 

I say go for the 22. I just installed one and LOVE it. I have it on the hard setting, haven't tried soft. Don't worry about sliding into a light pole on a left hand turn. Its hard to break the back end of the MINI loose. The coolest part is that when I back off a drive way (where theres a lazy back curb) the inner rear tire lifts! Its pretty cool. I can feel it and get out and look at it.

I highly recommend going with the 22. You won't be disapointed. If your going to track it at all, again, go with the 22. I still plow a little with mine. It sure it fun going around cul-de-sacs though!

 

19mm H-sport here! I love it...Don't think you would be unhappy...

 

Q: "Will a 22mm on a soft setting at first, be too much of a handful at high speed? Will a 19mm give me enough stiffness, say even on the hard setting?"
A: I enjoy the results of my 22mm rear sway bar. I do not use it on the soft setting for any reason. For street I use the medium setting. If I were to race lightly, I'd start there. I'd have to be really hauling to benefit from the stiffest setting. I saw someone said the 19mm bars don't squeak. Don't know where that came from, but can tell you my 22mm bar does not squeak. There are one or two threads in which me and other guys talked about installing zerk fittings to facilitate greasing. You can do this no matter what diameter bar you use.