Stock Front Swaybar vs. Tanabe 1"
 

hey all evom.net members,

maybe someone has already posted this info but here it is again.

the stock front swaybar is 23.8mm, 11 lbs and solid.

the tanabe front swaybar is 25.4 mm, 8lbs, hollow and red.


http://216.162.194.228/tanabe.jpg

How do they feel?

with urethane bushings for the bar, it works great. im surprised. there's no way that any stock evo would not benefit from this.

the installation is really just 15 e-z steps that combine to make it not e-z. but if you're doing a clutch, go for it.

i've also heard people on camaros.net say because the sway bar is connected to the control arm, any weight reduction in the swaybar actually has some effect on the unsprung weight in the suspension. even though its bolted to the subframe. i don't knw if thats true but discuss or whjatever.

so many people are against front swaybars. And it's hard to argue against guys who are competing and doing well not using an aftermarket "larger" front swaybar, but couldn't both a larger front and rear combo be beneficial by maintaining a balance between front and rear, and then just using lower spring rates than those on most coilovers?

such as using upgraded front and rear swaybars, and 8k/6k springs versus 12k/10k springs and no upgraded swaybars. Maybe I might be going at this completely wrong, but I've been pondering this route for my car.

well im just doing A-stock autox. its one of the few mods you can do, plus it saves 3 lbs so why not?

If you are running A-stock, absolutely get a front sway bar. It will reduce body roll noticeably, and give you more traction because your tires will stay in the sweet spot of the camber curve more. Since you can't change springs, this is a great way to stiffen up your car in transitions and corner entry under braking.

The only 2 EVOs to have won a Solo2 National Championship both had an upgraded front bar (Tanabe).

Just one note to consider -- RalliArt sells a huge 29mm ($1000!!!) front sway bar for use in certain rally conditions, so they DO have a place in EVO suspension tuning. (note that for rally tarmac purposes they tend to use softer springs and stiffer swaybars than what we typically use for autocross and road racing)

EVOlutionary