sway bars again

TURBO2GO

TURBO2GO

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Joined
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Someone please help me with this. I am currently running my stock suspension on my 05. I am very happy with the ride/handling. I am very hesitant to give up much ride quality because we have the worst roads in the country here. Potholes and bumps galore.

But after having driven the car a while, I find myself wanting a bit better handling. I have Azenis RT615's and they are sticking like glue. My current driving is all street, not track.

I have been debating the Comptech front and rear or a front Type R bar. I am not sure which to get.

Also I am not sure how much ride quality will suffer. I know there is the old saying that sway bars don't affect ride, but that is BS because if one wheel is going over a bump and the other isn't, you are twisting the bar... thicker bar, is worse ride. Only if both wheels encounter the same travel like a speed bump, is the ride not affected by the sway bar.

I am also not sure if in my style of driving, ie highway off ramps, street corners, etc. if sway bars make sense. Your lateral accelaration, as far as I know, does not increase with better sway bars... correct? I mean the car is not going to go from 0.91 g's to 0.95 because of sway bars in steady state cornering, correct?

From what I understand this is strictly a function of spring rates weight distribution, and tires. Shocks and sway bars only enhance handling in transitions... and how many transitions do I encounter on the street? Not many... there is the single corner or on/off ramp, and those are steady state.

So being I am not currently a track junkie, am I making a good move going to sway bars? and if I do, should I do the Comptech or the type R? From the searching I did on the subject, I believe my factory 05 bar is the same as the Zanardi rear... so I would only need a Type R front... or the Comptech F&R setup.
 
Okay this is all you need and it's OEM stuff.

Type R braces
Type R front sway bar
Zanardi rear sway bar

You honestly won't believe the difference. The standard NSX is a roly poly w/o the Type R front sway. I thought Michigan had the worst roads from all the salt they put down in the winter. We have potholes that swallow cars here:eek:

Ride harshness is only slightly increased. You can put everything in yourself ( although it goes faster with a buddy ) in half a day. Toughest part to me was putting in the front brace. Then all you need is a short shifter:biggrin:
 
That's what I did minus the Zanardi rear..but mainly because I have an older NSX and I don't think it fits the same.

It helps a lot, the ride isn't any more harsh...and you can do it yourself since they're not hard at all to install.
 
i have both the NSX-R chassis cars with the SOS (comptech) front and rear sway bars, lowered with tein flex suspension and running RT615s and the ride isn't bad at all. before I put on the flex coilovers, i had the NSX-R bars and sway bars and it was not harsh at all. the car felt great with those bars mounted.
 
WingZ said:
Okay this is all you need and it's OEM stuff.

Type R braces
Type R front sway bar
Zanardi rear sway bar

You honestly won't believe the difference. The standard NSX is a roly poly w/o the Type R front sway. I thought Michigan had the worst roads from all the salt they put down in the winter. We have potholes that swallow cars here:eek:

Ride harshness is only slightly increased. You can put everything in yourself ( although it goes faster with a buddy ) in half a day. Toughest part to me was putting in the front brace. Then all you need is a short shifter:biggrin:
Click to expand...

Try that combo with Typr R suspension. You can do with just Type R front sway bar. If you put Zanardi rear sway bar, you will get over steer.

Stock JDM NSX R uses standard rear sway bar, not type S.

Stock - minor Understeer
Type R front - Neutral
Typr R front with Type S rear - minor oversteer.
Type R suspension, Typr R front with Type S rear - Moderate oversteer
 
Here are a couple of shots of Charlotte at speed on The Dragon taking these turns in the the 0.90 to 1.1 g area. Nice and flat cornering courtesy of the Dali Street/Track bars front & rear. (The Tein RA Coilovers did their part too)
The ride on the street with the Teins set on the soft side is firm and not jarring at all. The bars are set to the middle position up front and full soft in the rear.

kb_dragon_7_06_32.jpg


kb_dragon_7_06_35.jpg


kb_dragon_7_06_59.jpg
 
Isn't the stock rear bar in the 03+ models the same as Zanardi? Someone posted this... I have to find the thread. Does anyone have any idea of how the SOS, Comptech, Dali, and Type R bars compare?
 
a-2-z...

I'm at a crossroads as well. I'm close to deciding on Comptech_Sport swaybars (being Father Honda approved! :tongue: ). But, Dali Racing offerings (especially Track-kit) seem worthwhile as well, if considering the Comptech.

Comptech Swaybar Kit: 91-02 ($350):
* designed to improve the stability of your vehicle without compromising everyday ride quality.
* manufactured using 6150 aerospace quality steel
* 40% to 160% stiffer than stock, depending on application.
* reduces the amount of body roll experienced during hard cornering.
* durable black powder coat finish and includes mounting hardware and detailed instructions.
* matched set of bars: 7/8" solid front, 7/8" tubar rear.
* 3 position adjustable, includes urethane brushings.

ScienceofSpeed's Adjustable Anti-Sway Bars ($340):
* advanced design fits all years NSX, no confusion; fully adjustable front and rear; symmetric design insures linear load transfer between corners
* 3 (front) x 2 (rear) position adjustable allowing for 9 different combinations for adjusting under and oversteer bias of your NSX.
* 22.2 mm bars allow different spring rates and biasing front and rear.
* manufactured for ScienceofSpeed by Comptech Sport
* black powder-coated anti-sway bar kit includes all that is required for a bolt-in installation, no modifications required.

Dali Racing Street Swaybars [0.75" OD] 1991-1994 ($275):
* set of front and rear hollow 19mm swaybars
* +30% stiffer than OEM, with poly bushings, slimy grease & brackets, powdercoated red.
* welded on lateral locating collars included, both front & rear bars adjustable.
* nice entry level bar, and good for T-tops. ;-)

Dali Racing Street Swaybars [0.75" OD] 1995+ ($275):
* set of front and rear hollow 19mm swaybars
* +30% stiffer than OEM, with poly bushings, slimy grease & brackets, powdercoated red.
* welded on lateral locating collars included, both front & rear bars adjustable.
* nice entry level bar, and good for T-tops. ;-)

Dali Racing Street/Race Swaybars [0.875" OD] 1991-1994 ($294):
* set of front and rear hollow 22.22mm swaybars
* +100% stiffer than OEM, with poly bushings, slimy grease & brackets, powdercoated red.
* welded on lateral locating collars included, both front & rear bars adjustable.

Dali Racing Street/Race Swaybars [0.875" OD] 1995+ ($294):
* set of front and rear hollow 22.22mm swaybars
* +100% stiffer than OEM, with poly bushings, slimy grease & brackets, powdercoated red.
* welded on lateral locating collars included, both front & rear bars adjustable.

Dali Racing Track SwayBars [1.0" OD] 1991-1994 ($324):
* set of front and rear hollow 25.4mm swaybars
* +300% stiffer than OEM, with poly bushings slimy grease & brackets, powdercoated red.
* welded on lateral locating collars included, both front & rear bars adjustable.
* fits 1991-1994.
* you be "Da Man 2 beat" on the track with these!

Dali Racing Track SwayBars [1.0" OD] 1995+ ($325):
* set of front and rear hollow 25.4mm swaybars
* +300% stiffer than OEM, with poly bushings slimy grease & brackets, powdercoated red.
* welded on lateral locating collars included, both front & rear bars adjustable.
* fits 1995+ or 1991-1994 with cat pipes.
* you be "Da Man 2 beat" on the track with these!

1999 Zanardi edition rear swaybar kit ($82):
* 19.1mm with 3.0mm wall thickness vs 17.5mm x 2.3mm
* way stiffer than the puny coupe or T-top version standard OEM one
* plus 2 new OEM rubber bushings, reuse your old brackets.
* not adjustable because Father Honda knows best what you like - and Father Knows Best.
* fits 1995 and newer cars and oldies with cat pipes.

2005 Type-R JDM/OEM front swaybar front kit ($135):
* Type-R JDM/OEM NSX front swaybar kit: way stiffer than the puny USA version OEM one
* 22.22mm JDM bar and 2 new JDM OEM hard rubber bushings hot off the airplane from Japan.
* reuse your old brackets.
* not adjustable because Father Honda knows best what you like - and Father Knows Best.

1in = 25.4mm


The NSX-R chassis/rad. bars seem to be a given based on just about everyone's experience who has installed them.


More reference...
http://www.daliracing.com/v666-5/catalog/suspension/more_sway_race1.cfm?swaybar=race
 
Last edited:
1 more vote for the Type-R front sway and the Type-R chassis bars. I was told the OEM rear coupe sway bar was more than adequate. The OEM coupe rear bar is identical to the 02 Type-R rear bar. The thicker Zanardi/Type-S rear bar will tend to induce oversteer.

I'm very pleased with my setup. I also have Bilstein shocks with Dali progressive springs.

By themselves the front sway and the chassis bars will produce a dramatic effect on the track which I'm sure you'll be pleased with if you are a semi-regular track-goer.

G
 
Last edited:
Doesn't adding just the larger front sway bar(type R) to a stock NSX induce more understeer? Without the complete suspension kit, the final result will not be quite like the NSX-R due to the different spring rate and damping characteristics unique to the NSX-R kit. By using the NA-2 NSX-R front bar and Zenardi rear bar should be a good upgrade for people looking for oem quality and possiblely improved handling.
 
EIFFEL said:
Doesn't adding just the larger front sway bar(type R) to a stock NSX induce more understeer? Without the complete suspension kit, the final result will not be quite like the NSX-R due to the different spring rate and damping characteristics unique to the NSX-R kit. By using the NA-2 NSX-R front bar and Zenardi rear bar should be a good upgrade for people looking for oem quality and possiblely improved handling.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking. We can't expect to get the handling of Hugh's car with just a set of Dali swaybars. Springs and dampening play a huge role(roll...haha).

For a car with OEM springs on Bilsteins I think that Type-R front swaybar would give a feeling of less body roll and better handling during normal driving however when hitting the back roads and pushing the car more they will quickly find that there is an enormous amount of unwanted understeer dialed in.
 
My '05 has the following suspension setup:
  • CT Pro Suspension kit with 601/400 (f/r spring rates) Eibach springs with the Konis adjusted toward the softer side.
  • Non-Compliance Rear Beam & Toe Links (makes cars feel much more planted in the rear)
  • OEM f/r sways, although I would have installed the CT f/r sways but they aren't available (out-of-stock) for the 02-05 models.
  • Goodyear F1 GSD3's

With this setup, car handles amazingly better than stock and still has a decent ride quality.
 
Vancehu said:
Try that combo with Typr R suspension. You can do with just Type R front sway bar. If you put Zanardi rear sway bar, you will get over steer.

Stock JDM NSX R uses standard rear sway bar, not type S.

Stock - minor Understeer
Type R front - Neutral
Typr R front with Type S rear - minor oversteer.
Type R suspension, Typr R front with Type S rear - Moderate oversteer
Click to expand...

Vance I just came back from a track event and you were on the money. NSX-R front sway doesn't need the rear Zanardi sway bar as the Zanardi makes it waaaay to loose in the back. I'm going to take mine out and put the stock bar back in. On the street I never noticed it but now that I'm getting better at the track it's very noticeable.
 
I put rm racing sways on my car a long long time ago. One of the best mods I did. Car feels like its on rails! I can make left and right turns without having to hit the brakes:biggrin:
I def reccomend getting a set. I even did the install myself.
Back when I actually had some free time.
Good luck
You wont regret it.
Paul M

95 blk/blk ctsc and other goodies
 
WingZ said:
Vance I just came back from a track event and you were on the money. NSX-R front sway doesn't need the rear Zanardi sway bar as the Zanardi makes it waaaay to loose in the back. I'm going to take mine out and put the stock bar back in. On the street I never noticed it but now that I'm getting better at the track it's very noticeable.
Click to expand...

didn't I tell you that?! :biggrin: OK set let us know how going back to stock turns out. Thats the setup I have still.
 
EIFFEL said:
Doesn't adding just the larger front sway bar(type R) to a stock NSX induce more understeer? Without the complete suspension kit, the final result will not be quite like the NSX-R due to the different spring rate and damping characteristics unique to the NSX-R kit. By using the NA-2 NSX-R front bar and Zenardi rear bar should be a good upgrade for people looking for oem quality and possiblely improved handling.
Click to expand...

Thats what I thought too until I did it. I am running OEM tires on the front and kumo all-seasons on the back(I put 300+ miles a week on my car), so that changes things I'm sure, but it seems neutral to me. The backend can still be rotated easliy with your right foot.

I'm happy with the Type-R front sway and chassis bars, with the stock rear sway.

To the OP, I didn't notice a difference in ride harshness. I agree with your logic, but I don't feel any difference over bumps.

Also to the OP re the purpose of sway bars. Sway bars should slightly increase latteral G's and they do in effect increase the spring rate of the outside spring doing the work in a turn.
 
PAUL M said:
I put rm racing sways on my car a long long time ago. One of the best mods I did. Car feels like its on rails! I can make left and right turns without having to hit the brakes:biggrin:
I def reccomend getting a set. I even did the install myself.
Back when I actually had some free time.
Good luck
You wont regret it.
Paul M

95 blk/blk ctsc and other goodies
Click to expand...

I just bought a set of RM sways from a member on here. I opened them up today but they don't look any bigger then the OEM ones? Are yours silver?
 
The "matched kits" have the same diameter front and rear so the rear diameter is increased WAY more than the front diameter. These would have to give a more tail-happy attitude than the R front/S rear, no?

I just don't see why anyone would want to induce more understeer with a big front swaybar without at least trying to balance it out with a (even slightly) larger rear bar. :confused:
 
dave22 said:
I just don't see why anyone would want to induce more understeer with a big front swaybar without at least trying to balance it out with a (even slightly) larger rear bar. :confused:
Click to expand...

Mainly because it is safe and controllable. This will give the driver the best confidence on the street. The roll stiffness will go way up in the front, giving you the "go cart" feel and the car will be very stable and most importantly predictable.

Ever see the RealTime NSX racecar? It has a 2-3" front sway bar, which makes the NSX-R bar look like a toothpick, and guess what? NO REAR BAR AT ALL:). Obviously there are other suspension mods at work in that car, but if you have ever been out in it with a competent driver(Peter Cunningham) you will know if is quite controllable:).

BTW, increasing roll stiffness(larger sway bars) for the most part will not effect ride quality.

JMHO,
LarryB
 
TURBO2GO said:
didn't I tell you that?! :biggrin: OK set let us know how going back to stock turns out. Thats the setup I have still.
Click to expand...

Oh no a Silverrock guy was right about something:eek: LOL

I'll be putting the OEM rear in this week ,but won't have a track event until later in August to confirm. Makes sense though and on the street someone would never notice. I actually didn't notice until a couple of track events after the Spoon coilover and non compliance parts were in. Also this only shows up on the fast tracks and Gateway Intl is a faaaast track! It was one of those don't hit the brakes just downshift and stay on the throttle tracks. I swear almost everytime I lifted I could hear the the back end starting to come out:eek: :eek: I was butting up against the TCS quite a bit as I got faster.

I leave the TCS on as I'm still a newbie and like the safety net ( especially since I have long drives home:biggrin: ) Next event I'm going to start with the TCS off and see were my slide points are. I'm also going to start trying to slide it more. Not a lot just some to get me through corners faster:wink:
 
WingZ said:
I leave the TCS on as I'm still a newbie and like the safety net ( especially since I have long drives home:biggrin: )
Click to expand...

Now that is a safety hazard, not a safety net. Please turn it off. Anything that can change the throttle, other then you, is just damn dangerous, especially as you go faster.

I suppose TCS has some value for street driving, in the rain, but other then that, NOT:).

JMO,
LarryB
 
I cannot imagine going back to a stock car after loving my set up so much.

Both NSXR front chassis bars.
CT Sway up front
TODA Racing coilovers
Non Compliant Clamps
RA1s (205/275)
DID NOT INSTALL CT REAR SWAY

It is awesome. I believe that the lack of rear bar allows me to put power down in a corner better. I perceive only a minute amount of roll, really just weight transfer to the outside wheels, and only slight understeer when Im pulling through a hairpin. Otherwise, it feels great to me.

Daily driven car. On track a lot too.

Dave - the NSXR bars (possibly in conjunction with my CT harness bar), were awesome at getting rid of the cowl shake with the roof off. I have NONE anymore.
 

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