Sway bars or coilovers?
05-31-2007, 11:34 AM
#1
Race Car
Thread Starter
Sway bars or coilovers?
Ok, my friend installed Koni Ground Controls on his M3 along with bigger sway bars. The car is absolutely flat now and feels like it out handles my car now. But when riding in it and watching it auto-x, I notice the car actually feels and looks a little more softer. For instance, when he launches the car, it appears to squat more in the rear and when riding around, it aborbs the bumps better than the factory suspension too. So, I am figuring that the majority of the better handling has came from the sway bars, am I missing something?
My question goes, would the GT3 sway bars or some other sway bars be better than the coilovers for the best bang for the buck when it comes to handling? It is one or the other for me right now budget wise. TIA
My question goes, would the GT3 sway bars or some other sway bars be better than the coilovers for the best bang for the buck when it comes to handling? It is one or the other for me right now budget wise. TIA
05-31-2007, 01:33 PM
#2
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If you are on a budget I suggest you skip coilovers and go with a traditional spring shock combo like the ROW M030 or x74 kit. You get up rated shocks, springs, and sway bars for $1,100 - $2,100.
You are describing two different things: Body roll and squat and dive.
How many miles are on the car? If over 50K I suggest you consider doing the shock spring route as your shocks are probably starting to show their age. I also found that the stock shocks are of poor ride quality in general and upgrading them makes for an overall better driving experience.
If you dont' want to go with a Porsche kit, also look at the Bilstein HD or sport shocks and a set of H&R springs.
GT3 bars are going to be expensive, the drop links will set you back as much as the bars!
For me I decided on the x74 kit and couldn't be happier with the results
You are describing two different things: Body roll and squat and dive.
How many miles are on the car? If over 50K I suggest you consider doing the shock spring route as your shocks are probably starting to show their age. I also found that the stock shocks are of poor ride quality in general and upgrading them makes for an overall better driving experience.
If you dont' want to go with a Porsche kit, also look at the Bilstein HD or sport shocks and a set of H&R springs.
GT3 bars are going to be expensive, the drop links will set you back as much as the bars!
For me I decided on the x74 kit and couldn't be happier with the results
05-31-2007, 01:41 PM
#3
Banned
Let's be clear here... it's all coilovers... shock/springs... where the diff is the ROW and x74 are non-adjustable whereas the PSS9s and likely the GC units on your buddy's M3 are adjustable coilovers with the biggest adjustability being height.
05-31-2007, 02:32 PM
#4
Race Car
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by UCrazyKid
If you are on a budget I suggest you skip coilovers and go with a traditional spring shock combo like the ROW M030 or x74 kit. You get up rated shocks, springs, and sway bars for $1,100 - $2,100.
You are describing two different things: Body roll and squat and dive.
How many miles are on the car? If over 50K I suggest you consider doing the shock spring route as your shocks are probably starting to show their age. I also found that the stock shocks are of poor ride quality in general and upgrading them makes for an overall better driving experience.
If you dont' want to go with a Porsche kit, also look at the Bilstein HD or sport shocks and a set of H&R springs.
GT3 bars are going to be expensive, the drop links will set you back as much as the bars!
For me I decided on the x74 kit and couldn't be happier with the results
You are describing two different things: Body roll and squat and dive.
How many miles are on the car? If over 50K I suggest you consider doing the shock spring route as your shocks are probably starting to show their age. I also found that the stock shocks are of poor ride quality in general and upgrading them makes for an overall better driving experience.
If you dont' want to go with a Porsche kit, also look at the Bilstein HD or sport shocks and a set of H&R springs.
GT3 bars are going to be expensive, the drop links will set you back as much as the bars!
For me I decided on the x74 kit and couldn't be happier with the results
996 GT3 Adjustable Front Sway Bar $205.00
For Porsche 996, 26.8mm 5 way adjustable sway bar as found on the Euro GT3. Includes 2 front bushings 996 343 792 16. The existing front drop links must be shortened 1/2". Genuine Porsche. 99634370190
996 GT3 Adjustable Rear Sway Bar $170.00
For Porsche 996, 20.7mm 4 way adjustable sway bar as found on the Euro GT3. Includes 2 front bushings 996 333 792 26. The existing front drop links must be shortened 1". Genuine Porsche. 99633370190
05-31-2007, 02:33 PM
#5
Race Car
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Benjamin Choi
Let's be clear here... it's all coilovers... shock/springs... where the diff is the ROW and x74 are non-adjustable whereas the PSS9s and likely the GC units on your buddy's M3 are adjustable coilovers with the biggest adjustability being height.
05-31-2007, 02:40 PM
#6
Banned
I'm not arguing for or against dude what is doing what sways or coilovers... just clarifying that you have coilovers even on your stock as can be Porsche 911 per UCrazy
and what you're missing are the fundamentals... you say you rode in it... you gotta drive it. and you gotta drive it pre and post changes. but it sounds like you didn't. so you're asking for someone else's experience on probably entirely different setups. my recommendation is find a way to drive one pre and post of your car.
also how the heck can the sways be "doing all the work"? Think about it. it's not one thing.. it's many things working together . you can't single out a couple of bars swapped to account for all the changes done to a moving object and a heavy fast powerful one like an automobile.
my recommendtion: adjustable coilovers first. then sways if you even want them after the adjustable coilovers.
it'll make your car not only handle better, but look better at the same time, but of course it's gonna cost u more to start.
and what you're missing are the fundamentals... you say you rode in it... you gotta drive it. and you gotta drive it pre and post changes. but it sounds like you didn't. so you're asking for someone else's experience on probably entirely different setups. my recommendation is find a way to drive one pre and post of your car.
also how the heck can the sways be "doing all the work"? Think about it. it's not one thing.. it's many things working together . you can't single out a couple of bars swapped to account for all the changes done to a moving object and a heavy fast powerful one like an automobile.
my recommendtion: adjustable coilovers first. then sways if you even want them after the adjustable coilovers.
it'll make your car not only handle better, but look better at the same time, but of course it's gonna cost u more to start.
05-31-2007, 02:46 PM
#7
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TRG (the racers group) $514 for a complete set, front and rear.
http://www.theracersgroup.com/shop/trgracing.php
Tarett Engineering $450 for a complete set, front and rear.
http://www.tarett.com/items/996-products/list.htm
Agency Power F $225 R $220
http://www.agency-power.com/catalog/...hp/cPath/58_60
http://www.theracersgroup.com/shop/trgracing.php
Tarett Engineering $450 for a complete set, front and rear.
http://www.tarett.com/items/996-products/list.htm
Agency Power F $225 R $220
http://www.agency-power.com/catalog/...hp/cPath/58_60
Trending Topics
05-31-2007, 02:48 PM
#8
Race Car
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Benjamin Choi
I'm not arguing for or against dude what is doing what sways or coilovers... just clarifying that you have coilovers even on your stock as can be Porsche 911 per UCrazy
and what you're missing are the fundamentals... you say you rode in it... you gotta drive it. and you gotta drive it pre and post changes. but it sounds like you didn't. so you're asking for someone else's experience on probably entirely different setups. my recommendation is find a way to drive one pre and post of your car.
also how the heck can the sways be "doing all the work"? Think about it. it's not one thing.. it's many things working together . you can't single out a couple of bars swapped to account for all the changes done to a moving object and a heavy fast powerful one like an automobile.
my recommendtion: adjustable coilovers first. then sways if you even want them after the adjustable coilovers.
it'll make your car not only handle better, but look better at the same time, but of course it's gonna cost u more to start.
and what you're missing are the fundamentals... you say you rode in it... you gotta drive it. and you gotta drive it pre and post changes. but it sounds like you didn't. so you're asking for someone else's experience on probably entirely different setups. my recommendation is find a way to drive one pre and post of your car.
also how the heck can the sways be "doing all the work"? Think about it. it's not one thing.. it's many things working together . you can't single out a couple of bars swapped to account for all the changes done to a moving object and a heavy fast powerful one like an automobile.
my recommendtion: adjustable coilovers first. then sways if you even want them after the adjustable coilovers.
it'll make your car not only handle better, but look better at the same time, but of course it's gonna cost u more to start.
Second, I have rode/drove the **** out of my friends M3 along with another M3 my other friend has, both stock until one put the GCs on and bars. So in essence, I have been in pre/post configurations
My point is, since the car rides smoother, less jarring and squat mores, it seems the sway bars have improved the handling since the coilovers are softer than the factory Macphersons. Just wondering if people have had the same experience.
05-31-2007, 02:56 PM
#9
yes, the sways have a bigger impact on handling around corners, springs and dampners are for the ride.
However, one needs the other for the overall performance.
I put H&R sways and it had a bigger impact on turn in than my pss9's
However, one needs the other for the overall performance.
I put H&R sways and it had a bigger impact on turn in than my pss9's
05-31-2007, 03:05 PM
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Tippy,
You are right the car has Macpherson struts factory, not coilovers. The M030 and x74 are both Macpherson also.
A less harsh/jarring (Perceivably soft) suspenion does not necessarily mean it has less control. it can be a combination of the better valving and progressive rate springs.
What are you trying to change with your car?
How much budget do you have?
How many miles are on your car currently?
How do you want to drive the car? (%road and track)
The least expensive route would be to go sway bars first, especially when you include what you will spend on install. Springs and struts will need more labor to put in and require an alignment.
Do the bars first, you can always do the other stuff later.
With that said though, there is not one thing that will solve all issues. All the parts work together. If you are willing to spend a bit more and do it all at once, I would say the ROW M030 or x74 kit are your best bang for the buck. You get new springs, struts, and swaybars. You don't need to replace your drop links, etc.
You can always find a better solution, but not at a better price!
You are right the car has Macpherson struts factory, not coilovers. The M030 and x74 are both Macpherson also.
A less harsh/jarring (Perceivably soft) suspenion does not necessarily mean it has less control. it can be a combination of the better valving and progressive rate springs.
What are you trying to change with your car?
How much budget do you have?
How many miles are on your car currently?
How do you want to drive the car? (%road and track)
The least expensive route would be to go sway bars first, especially when you include what you will spend on install. Springs and struts will need more labor to put in and require an alignment.
Do the bars first, you can always do the other stuff later.
With that said though, there is not one thing that will solve all issues. All the parts work together. If you are willing to spend a bit more and do it all at once, I would say the ROW M030 or x74 kit are your best bang for the buck. You get new springs, struts, and swaybars. You don't need to replace your drop links, etc.
You can always find a better solution, but not at a better price!
05-31-2007, 03:09 PM
#11
Race Car
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by redridge
yes, the sways have a bigger impact on handling around corners, springs and dampners are for the ride.
However, one needs the other for the overall performance.
I put H&R sways and it had a bigger impact on turn in than my pss9's
However, one needs the other for the overall performance.
I put H&R sways and it had a bigger impact on turn in than my pss9's
05-31-2007, 03:16 PM
#12
Race Car
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by UCrazyKid
Tippy,
You are right the car has Macpherson struts factory, not coilovers. The M030 and x74 are both Macpherson also.
A less harsh/jarring (Perceivably soft) suspenion does not necessarily mean it has less control. it can be a combination of the better valving and progressive rate springs.
What are you trying to change with your car?
How much budget do you have?
How many miles are on your car currently?
How do you want to drive the car? (%road and track)
The least expensive route would be to go sway bars first, especially when you include what you will spend on install. Springs and struts will need more labor to put in and require an alignment.
Do the bars first, you can always do the other stuff later.
With that said though, there is not one thing that will solve all issues. All the parts work together. If you are willing to spend a bit more and do it all at once, I would say the ROW M030 or x74 kit are your best bang for the buck. You get new springs, struts, and swaybars. You don't need to replace your drop links, etc.
You can always find a better solution, but not at a better price!
You are right the car has Macpherson struts factory, not coilovers. The M030 and x74 are both Macpherson also.
A less harsh/jarring (Perceivably soft) suspenion does not necessarily mean it has less control. it can be a combination of the better valving and progressive rate springs.
What are you trying to change with your car?
How much budget do you have?
How many miles are on your car currently?
How do you want to drive the car? (%road and track)
The least expensive route would be to go sway bars first, especially when you include what you will spend on install. Springs and struts will need more labor to put in and require an alignment.
Do the bars first, you can always do the other stuff later.
With that said though, there is not one thing that will solve all issues. All the parts work together. If you are willing to spend a bit more and do it all at once, I would say the ROW M030 or x74 kit are your best bang for the buck. You get new springs, struts, and swaybars. You don't need to replace your drop links, etc.
You can always find a better solution, but not at a better price!
Yes, I understand the valving is what you "feel" over factory stuff but I was quite surprised how nicely the car takes bumps and amazed at the squat, yet corners like crazy.
I think my budget became the GT3 bars, sounds like the best bang for the buck.
05-31-2007, 03:18 PM
#13
Race Car
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by UCrazyKid
TRG (the racers group) $514 for a complete set, front and rear.
http://www.theracersgroup.com/shop/trgracing.php
Tarett Engineering $450 for a complete set, front and rear.
http://www.tarett.com/items/996-products/list.htm
Agency Power F $225 R $220
http://www.agency-power.com/catalog/...hp/cPath/58_60
http://www.theracersgroup.com/shop/trgracing.php
Tarett Engineering $450 for a complete set, front and rear.
http://www.tarett.com/items/996-products/list.htm
Agency Power F $225 R $220
http://www.agency-power.com/catalog/...hp/cPath/58_60
05-31-2007, 03:19 PM
#14
if you think about it, the sole purpose of the sways are for cornering... however, to stiff of a sway bar will impact on the independent suspension... its more of an art than science.
05-31-2007, 03:46 PM
#15
Race Car
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by redridge
if you think about it, the sole purpose of the sways are for cornering... however, to stiff of a sway bar will impact on the independent suspension... its more of an art than science.