Front sway bar only

[philaf_666]

I'm wondering if adding only the front sway bar would be good or not. I'm looking for a more flat ride during cornering and more direct steering feel.

I know this has been discussed before, but no real conclusion were drawn.

I don't want theories and laws of physic and blablablah, but replies from people who actually did it, tried it hard on the road and on the track.

Also, which one between the H&R and adjustable UCC?

Thanks!

[3val]

subscribed!

[Papethova]

I have just a front sway bar, but its been raining and wet and haven't actually tried it out.

[Raflekt]

Papethova, we will wait your review

good thread

[philaf_666]

answers anyone?

[135forthewin]

Originally Posted by Papethova

I have just a front sway bar, but its been raining and wet and haven't actually tried it out.

I am curious about this too. Take some turns hard so we can see if the understeer is significantly increased.
The extra grippy dunlop direzzas make body roll even more apparent in the corners, and the rear sway is too expensive to get installed.

[fourtailpipes]

not quite apples to apples, but my e46 m3 had a big front swaybar and no rear swaybar (literally none... OEM bar removed). paired with other measures that counteracted the understeer (3.5 degrees of front camber, wide square tire setup), the car was very neutral on track, and most importantly, the rear axle traction was great without a big swaybar back there. no rear swaybar, or soft OEM rear swaybar does a great job of helping a differential to power out of corners. this is even more important with the lame diff that comes in the 135! get some front camber and sticky front tires, and i bet you'll be happy!

looking forward to hearing reviews of people who have actually tried it on a 135...

[Raflekt]

Does the 135i hve a rear OEM sway bar?

[stovesax08]

Originally Posted by Raflekt

Does the 135i hve a rear OEM sway bar?

Yeah-a small one

[philaf_666]

Originally Posted by Papethova

I have just a front sway bar, but its been raining and wet and haven't actually tried it out.

Did you had some time to try it? Waiting for your review!

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by philaf_666

Did you had some time to try it? Waiting for your review!

No I haven't, my 135 is my 3rd car. Im not sure how much of a review I can really provide. The car feels "tighter" obviously as it should, I haven't gone sliding around corners to really gauge under/over steer. I have no baseline to really compare something like that with. Sorry

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by philaf_666

I'm wondering if adding only the front sway bar would be good or not. I'm looking for a more flat ride during cornering and more direct steering feel.

I know this has been discussed before, but no real conclusion were drawn.

I don't want theories and laws of physic and blablablah, but replies from people who actually did it, tried it hard on the road and on the track.

Also, which one between the H&R and adjustable UCC?

Thanks!

Most would think adding a large front antil roll bar would typically increase understeer. They are only partially right, but what they didn't know is why the vehicle understeer in the first place.

There are situations where increasing the the stiffness of the front anti roll bar will have the opposite affect and actually reduce understeer.

Here is why:

If you have a vehicle with so much body roll, which induces so much camber change(excess positive camber), your outside front tire is almost riding or is on its sidewalls(in extreme cases), you are losing tracting from the lack of contact patch.

By reducing the body roll-induced camber change(using larger from anti roll bar). With the tires rolling over much less and in more direct/flat contact with the road, more traction is created.


As for bar selection...If weight is a concern, go with the Hotchkis tubular steel anti roll bar. It only adds a few pounds to the vehicle. The other bars out there is nearly doubled in weight. If weight is not a concern, UUC or H&R are good choices.

[philaf_666]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Most would think adding a large front antil roll bar would typically increase understeer. They are only partially right, but what they didn't know is why the vehicle understeer in the first place.

There are situations where increasing the the stiffness of the front anti roll bar will have the opposite affect and actually reduce understeer.

Here is why:

If you have a vehicle with so much body roll, which induces so much camber change(excess positive camber), your outside front tire is almost riding or is on its sidewalls(in extreme cases), you are losing tracting from the lack of contact patch.

By reducing the body roll-induced camber change(using larger from anti roll bar). With the tires rolling over much less and in more direct/flat contact with the road, more traction is created.


As for bar selection...If weight is a concern, go with the Hotchkis tubular steel anti roll bar. It only adds a few pounds to the vehicle. The other bars out there is nearly doubled in weight. If weight is not a concern, UUC or H&R are good choices.

Thanks! That's about the answer I was looking for. Did you get the chance to actually try it on a 135i?

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by philaf_666

Thanks! That's about the answer I was looking for. Did you get the chance to actually try it on a 135i?

No, but we did try it on a 335i with good results!

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

As for bar selection...If weight is a concern, go with the Hotchkis tubular steel anti roll bar. It only adds a few pounds to the vehicle. The other bars out there is nearly doubled in weight. If weight is not a concern, UUC or H&R are good choices.

Thats exactly what I have the Hotchkis!!!

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Papethova

Thats exactly what I have the Hotchkis!!!

Nice!

[135forthewin]

I might go this path. The rear one wasn't worth it to me with the expensive install, but I might get a stiffer front bar to keep the car flatter.
I'm really just looking for a flatter ride, and even if the front grip stayed the same as it currently is, I'd enjoy the flatter cornering.
So philaf_666, you gonna be the first to make the move? I'd really like to see a review of it.

[nordique14]

I will be putting on the UUC front sway (stock rear) and will be doing an autox mid-March. I ran completely stock last year so I will report back with the results after the autox.

[philaf_666]

Originally Posted by 135forthewin

I might go this path. The rear one wasn't worth it to me with the expensive install, but I might get a stiffer front bar to keep the car flatter.
I'm really just looking for a flatter ride, and even if the front grip stayed the same as it currently is, I'd enjoy the flatter cornering.
So philaf_666, you gonna be the first to make the move? I'd really like to see a review of it.

It's winter here in Canada, so I might wait until spring. I'm just shopping for my next mod!

I have the KW v2, JB2, BMS intake, CP-e catback and black front grill.

I might move to JB3 and front sway bar... just not sure yet. I'd like to get Breytons GTS-R wheels and Dunlop Direzza too, but it's a bit expansive.

[philaf_666]

Originally Posted by nordique14

I will be putting on the UUC front sway (stock rear) and will be doing an autox mid-March. I ran completely stock last year so I will report back with the results after the autox.

Can't wait to see your review...

I'm also wondering if it better to get the front sway bars or the M3 rods and wishbones... any ideas?

[Papethova]

The car definitely feels flatter and firmer, I just can't comment on any influence on understeer.

[nordique14]

Originally Posted by philaf_666

Can't wait to see your review...

I'm also wondering if it better to get the front sway bars or the M3 rods and wishbones... any ideas?

Why not do both? I will be doing the M3 rods (if they ever arrive). The front sway is cheaper of the two.