sway-barED

kei169 · 05-17-2009, 10:35 PM

Hi everyone,

I got myself a Hotchiks rear sway bar as my birthday gift, just got it installed today. Trust me, for a $300 (installation included) mod, it is awesome! the pulling force from cornering has gone, seems like the car finally stick to the ground from every turn i made. After some good news, Now, I am tempted to buy myself a front sway bar as well......
So you think it will make a heck of a difference if the front is installed as well?

Thanks,
Kei

stressdoc · 05-18-2009, 01:36 PM

Yes.
Suspensions are designed to be balanced for a reason.

kei169 · 05-19-2009, 04:04 AM

stress doc,

What Front Sway bar do you recommand then?

thanks

enrita · 05-19-2009, 04:06 AM

just get the front Hotchkis . they are supposed to work together i guess.

jbass524 · 05-24-2009, 05:33 PM

Although I'm no suspension engineer I've been through the mod ringer.

If you put a front bar it reduces the front end sway, which is nice for turn in but doesn't necessarily increase front grip. It will also push some weight back to the rear which your rear swaybar has actually reduced by balancing some weight to the front. This is probably why your car feels so good with just the rears.

Try the front but don't be surprised if the weight not getting on the front wheels reduces front grip.

Hotchkis may have all of this worked out. UUC does not have this worked out.

A very important thing to remember is that our BMWs will limit oversteer - induce understeer - when any traction control is on. Understeer is safer so that's why it works this way. To really feel the upgrades try driving without traction control or at least with DTC on.

05-17-2009, 10:35 PM	#1
kei169 Captain 24 Rep 735 Posts Drives: e90 325i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (5)	sway-barED Hi everyone, I got myself a Hotchiks rear sway bar as my birthday gift, just got it installed today. Trust me, for a $300 (installation included) mod, it is awesome! the pulling force from cornering has gone, seems like the car finally stick to the ground from every turn i made. After some good news, Now, I am tempted to buy myself a front sway bar as well...... So you think it will make a heck of a difference if the front is installed as well? Thanks, Kei
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05-18-2009, 01:36 PM	#2
stressdoc Moderator 657 Rep 10,864 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	Yes. Suspensions are designed to be balanced for a reason. __________________ My recent ED photos: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1026808 my not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279
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05-19-2009, 04:04 AM	#3
kei169 Captain 24 Rep 735 Posts Drives: e90 325i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (5)	stress doc, What Front Sway bar do you recommand then? thanks
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05-19-2009, 04:06 AM	#4
enrita Major General 161 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: 335i - Big turbos Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Italian in Sweden iTrader: (0)	just get the front Hotchkis . they are supposed to work together i guess. __________________ 07 335i AT - MOTIV 750 - MHD E85 BMS flash - BMS PI - JB4G5 - Okada Coils - NGK 5992 Plugs - Helix IC - Snow Stg. 3 - Stett CP - Custom midpipes with 100 HJS Cats - Bastuck Quad - PSS10 - QUAIFE LSD - BMS OCC - Forge DVs - AR OC - ALCON BBK - M3 Chassi - Dinan CP - Velocity M rear Toe arms - Advan RZ-DF - LUX H8 - Level 10 AT upgrade
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05-24-2009, 05:33 PM	#5
jbass524 Major 107 Rep 1,053 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Norcal iTrader: (2)	Although I'm no suspension engineer I've been through the mod ringer. If you put a front bar it reduces the front end sway, which is nice for turn in but doesn't necessarily increase front grip. It will also push some weight back to the rear which your rear swaybar has actually reduced by balancing some weight to the front. This is probably why your car feels so good with just the rears. Try the front but don't be surprised if the weight not getting on the front wheels reduces front grip. Hotchkis may have all of this worked out. UUC does not have this worked out. A very important thing to remember is that our BMWs will limit oversteer - induce understeer - when any traction control is on. Understeer is safer so that's why it works this way. To really feel the upgrades try driving without traction control or at least with DTC on.
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