Sway Bars

[greeneyes]

I was just thinking that I might think seriously about putting a heavier anti-roll bar on the rear. (not that I want a modded car mind you...)

What do you guys have and what do you think of them. Have you noticed any change in the understeer, or does the tail hang out more in the rain??

Has anyone just changed the roll bars and not changed the springs?

Ta

keith

[?UESTLOVE]

Id also like to know whats availble!

Note Greeneyes, if you put a thick one on the rear only, watch the back come out hehehe. It will make the back stiff, so if you around a corner fast, the back will start to slide...FUN!

[greeneyes]

That's what i was aiming to do..!!!

[frylai]

Squid Installed a TRD One on his rear from me back in the baggining of the year...think you guys should PM him!

Matt =)

[Squid]

Already spoken to Keith about this, but for those interested:

Only did the Rear, but HIGHLY recommended.

Obviously as a sway bar, it doesn't change anything in a straight line,

so comfort/ride isn't affected. Most noticeable change was the 'wobble'

the rear had when shifting the weight from one side to the other.

It all but eliminated it, its a shame I didn't get to go round taupo with

and without it in, would have been a good comparison. But $ for $, my

personal opinion is that it was definitely the best upgrade to do first.

Body roll was also reduced, but not by as much as I expected.

TRD rear is only 99% stiffer, Cusco do one that is 125% stiffer (and a

little cheaper too) so that might be a more noticeable difference in

that respect.

Interesting difference is the front bars, TRD is 49% stiffer, but Cusco is 140%

stiffer! , making for quite a radical difference in final setup between the two.

Was going to do front strut brace next, then front sway bar, but got a

deal on some hks suspension that I'd be an idiot to pass up.

Shame, was looking forward to seeing what improvements the different

upgrade steps would do.

But the handling I've got now, is just amazing. Really looking forward

to trackday!

Also, suspension setup dictates that increasing the rear sway bar stiffness will

increase the chance of oversteer, but the Tezza I have found has quite a lot of

natural understeer 'built-in' so adding the TRD bar gave additional turn-in, and to

be honest, the only time the back ever steps out on me, is when I'm ... shall we

say 'encouraging' it. ;)

[greeneyes]

That Cusco bar looks too stiff for the front. That creates understeer. The Cusco rear looks good.

Hotchkis has an adjustable one for the rear at 144% & 227%!

What interests me is the difference between an Altezza, an IS200 & an IS300 to start with. The extra weight in the six cyls and the different springs/ride would suggest different roll bars fitted at the factory. When the Americans talk 125% stiffer I assume that is on an IS300, but Japanese 125% stiffer is on an Altezza.

Do you have any data Matt?

[frylai]

Yeah we do have different springs for the 300's I heard even different shocks... I would think it will be the best for you guys to stay with the JDM Tuned Products...Like TRD and Cusco...I think TRD would be the best for overall!

Matt =)

[zee007]

Keith,

Have a peek over on the UK site.... there are a few guys who have just fitted the TRD anti-rolls, I have along with a few others the TTE anti-rolls, and there are a couple of members with the Cusco and hotchkis.....

We all have both front and rear - and it was one of the best modifications I have done (and I've done a few....)

VERY highly reccomended....... ;)

[frylai]

Alright...I think the TTE one is too overpriced, Hotchkis/Cusco is adjustables and the others are not from memory...but the best priced ones are TRD and also it is factory quality, I heard some cons about the fitting for the Hotchkis ones like funny noises. Only the TRD ones are sold seperately...and for a reason!!!

Matt =)

[zee007]

Alright...I think the TTE one is too overpriced, Hotchkis/Cusco is adjustables and the others are not from memory...but the best priced ones are TRD and also it is factory quality, I heard some cons about the fitting for the Hotchkis ones like funny noises. Only the TRD ones are sold seperately...and for a reason!!!

Matt =)

Nice summary there Matt..... :)

The TTE Anti-Roll bars are actually re-badged Eibach bars and DO have adjustable rears..... I agree that they are slightly more pricey than other brands - but I also feel the quality is excellent (not sure if you have ever seen them as they are European)...

Everyone I know (and there are over 30 people on LOCUK) who have ordered sway bars have ordered pairs - as it's not reccomended to have one bar stiffer than the other.

I agree, the TRD bars are good quality also.

Its nice to share experiences.......

Zee. :)

[greeneyes]

Thanks Zee. I've kept an eye on your forums there, and I see the group buys were going on.

I assume the thickness of the roll bar is proportional to the stiffness. So far-

ARC front 216%

ARC rear 146%

Cusco front 30mm 140%

Cusco rear 16mm 125%

Eibach front 28mm

Eibach adjustable rear 17mm

Hotchkis adjustable front 32mm +56% +61%

Hotchkis adjustable rear 19mm +144% +227%

L-tuned front 49%

L-tuned rear 99%

Stillen- no data, but usual price of $US336/pair is reduced to $US180 currently.

Tanabe Sustec front 30.4mm

Tanabe Sustec rear 18mm

TRD Sportivo (blue) front 28.6mm

TRD Sportivo (blue) rear 16mm

TRD (yellow) front 30mm +49%

TRD (yellow) rear 19.1mm +99%

TTE don't quote % stiffer, they list effective lever arm

TTE front 28mm thick, 225mm arm

TTE adjustable rear 17mm thick, 90mm, 105mm, 120mm arm lengths

TTE are the same as Eibach, and L-tuned look the same as TRD.

any more data?? Any comments?? I'll keep looking for NETZ sports & Area 51.

keith

Edited May 28, 2004 by greeneyes

[zee007]

TTE don't quote % stiffer

If you have the Eibach % - it will be the same for the TTE's....

And you have done some excellent research there buddy! ;)

[Hoon]

TRD (yellow) front 30mm +39%

TRD front (yellow) stabilizer is 49% stiffer than standard according to www.trdparts.jp

[?UESTLOVE]

So, when are we gettin some prices up?? Group Buys??

:D

[lextcy]

Here are some prices:

99% stiffer TRD from Japan ~3 weeks

front $425 rear $350

Sourced from Penrith Toyota

Prices are in AUD and include GST but not freight

Group buy for the ausie guys?

But I dnt know if they will make a big difference with the Teins?

[lextcy]

Oh yeah, there are two types o TRD sways

Red sways - rebadged eibachs 49% stiffer

Yellow sways - from TRD Japan, 99% stiffer

The yellow sways are cheaper than the yellow ones for some reason

[voiceinsideyou]

Wicked Keith - that's useful info - you should add it to one of teh useful info threads!

Mine are the TRD Sportivo bars...

[frylai]

Here are some prices:

99% stiffer TRD from Japan ~3 weeks

front $425  rear $350

Sourced from Penrith Toyota

Prices are in AUD and include GST but not freight

Group buy for the ausie guys?

But I dnt know if they will make a big difference with the Teins?

Dude I can do it for under that price shipped...if ya need a set let me know! Also you can get it in 3 days instead of 3 weeks!

Matt =)

[greeneyes]

Ok, so-

TTE are the red TRDs, the same as the Eibachs. 28mm & 17mm adjustable.

Sportivos are the blue TRDs, 28.6 & 16mm

TRD yellows are bigger again 30mm and 19.1mm

I'll keep editing the main post there as I can update info. I corrected a couple of things just now.

keith

[greeneyes]

In the end, I've bought a rear Cusco bar from our own happy supplier Matt Frylai. The going NZ rate is $320, depending on the exchange rate.

I'm hoping their stiffness data is correct, even tho' they're thinner than the TRD yellow. The first thing will be to set up a test bench and measure how much stiffer than standard they are.

[Squid]

If you do get a 'test bench' setup, gimme a yell.

I'm happy to whip my TRD Yellow bar out for a comparison, only a 5 minute job.

[Thunderbird2]

This is a great thread, particularly with all the stiffness ratings - ADMINS, can we make this a sticky ("Important Topic")???

[greeneyes]

Done!

;)

[Serran]

Here are some prices:

99% stiffer TRD from Japan ~3 weeks

front $425 rear $350

Sourced from Penrith Toyota

Prices are in AUD and include GST but not freight

Group buy for the ausie guys?

But I dnt know if they will make a big difference with the Teins?

hey edwin..

can you call the guys in penrith again.. and ask what the prices will be for a group buy and eta's on delivery?

i assume this the prices are for trd (yellow) front and rear sways? let's quote on trd yellows as a ball park..

matt (frylai).. during the syd meet, we came to a discussion that a group buy would be in order coming for the near future... can you provide prices on these parts too?

cheers

mark

[?UESTLOVE]

Yeah, I think Matt can get this much cheaper than penrith toyota!!