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Old 08-13-2009, 10:57 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Should I Upgrade My Front Sway Bar?

I've got a 95 200SX SE-R (daily driver), which I just started upgrading. So far, I've started out with Hyperco's and AGX's. I have a new ST rear sway bar on the way (wanted Progress but scored too good of a deal on this ST). Should I upgrade my front sway bar as well? If yes, to what? Stock B13 SE-R front? ST 30mm B13 front? ST 25mm B14 front? What do you guys recommend?

Thanks
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Old 08-14-2009, 09:32 AM   #2 (permalink)
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I don't know if the B13 ST sway bar fits the B14 so double check on that. I would recommend progress. Its the biggest bars for our cars, its adjustable and it has hiem end links for no binding issues. ST are a good upgrade from stock, Whiteline is better and progress is the best. Here's a link all about suspension:
http://www.sr20forum.com/driveline-t...ml#post1651585
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Old 08-14-2009, 11:28 AM   #3 (permalink)
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Thanks. I'll double check to see if the B13 ST will fit on a B14. I just assumed since a stock (and even Progress) front is interchangeable between the B13 and B14.

I'm wondering if I even NEED to upgrade the OEM B14 front (25mm hollow) on my car. I read in a couple of threads (sorry I can't find them again) that some people were using an OEM front and just upgrading the rear. It wasn't clear if they running and OEM B14 front or an OEM B13 front (28mm solid), or if they were driving a B13 or B14. I've been told that stiffening the rear will help the car drive more neutral, but stiffening the front too much will cause it to understeer again. I don't know if I should touch the front or upgrade and to what. If anyone could give some advice or share their experiences, I'd appreciate it.

(I know, I know... get my beam bent. I'm trying to work on that. If anyone is interested in joining a beam bending party in Nashville, let me know.)
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Old 08-14-2009, 05:31 PM   #4 (permalink)
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On a street car I would not upgrade the front sway bar unless it was the LAST thing left to mod.

I would do strut bars, rear sway, front lower tie bar, and bushings all before the front sway.
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Old 08-14-2009, 05:50 PM   #5 (permalink)
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ST front bar sucks. It's bent poorly. It also binds. It can be made to work OK but the stock BIG SER bar is better. B14's came with a small and a large. If you have the large your set IMHO. If I had a large bar it would be the last thing I would replace on the list of items. Not saying a good Progess front bar isn't nice. Just saying the big stock bar is plenty good already. B13 and B14 bars can be interchanged. All SE-R B13 bars are the big variety. Compare yours to a B13 bar. I think the big is 28.4 mm.
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Old 08-14-2009, 06:10 PM   #6 (permalink)
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ST front bar sucks. It's bent poorly. It also binds. It can be made to work OK but the stock BIG SER bar is better. B14's came with a small and a large. If you have the large your set IMHO. If I had a large bar it would be the last thing I would replace on the list of items. Not saying a good Progess front bar isn't nice. Just saying the big stock bar is plenty good already. B13 and B14 bars can be interchanged. All SE-R B13 bars are the big variety. Compare yours to a B13 bar. I think the big is 28.4 mm.
Thanks! I'll have to check if I have the big or small bar. If I have the small, do you recommend getting the big SER bar?
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Old 08-14-2009, 07:00 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by davin550 View Post
Thanks! I'll have to check if I have the big or small bar. If I have the small, do you recommend getting the big SER bar?
That's pretty much what he suggested if you didn't have one or didn;t want to spend the $$ on Progress or whiteline.
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Old 08-14-2009, 07:06 PM   #8 (permalink)
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just putting this out there, some guys take them off completely and love the way the car handles....make sure you know how the car is going to react to the change in components. I personally have my suspension done up w/ tein coilovers,poly bushings everywhere,f/r stb, rear ST sb (still want that beam bent)...replacing the front bar with a bigger one, will make the car understeer a bit more, so i think that will be remaining stock for a while. just fyi.
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Old 08-14-2009, 08:38 PM   #9 (permalink)
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All great advice especially from steve (98sr20ve). When I was writing my advice I forgot once I hit the post button that you were asking for your daily driver. It's also a matter of opinion in the sense of how rough of a ride your willing to put up with. Some guys think coilovers and struts are enough before it gets too rough while others can put the biggest bars on with complete ES kits and still have it be their daily driver. I personally can deal with a harsh ride as I dont have long commutes but again its a matter of opinion when it comes to ride comfort.
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Old 08-14-2009, 08:49 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Hey guys, thanks for all the great advice! I checked my sway bar and it was the smaller hollow B14 bar. I took your advice and picked up a stock B13 SER front. Can't wait til it comes in.
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Old 08-15-2009, 04:33 PM   #11 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wes View Post
On a street car I would not upgrade the front sway bar unless it was the LAST thing left to mod.

I would do strut bars, rear sway, front lower tie bar, and bushings all before the front sway.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 98sr20ve View Post
ST front bar sucks. It's bent poorly. It also binds. It can be made to work OK but the stock BIG SER bar is better. B14's came with a small and a large. If you have the large your set IMHO. If I had a large bar it would be the last thing I would replace on the list of items. Not saying a good Progess front bar isn't nice. Just saying the big stock bar is plenty good already. B13 and B14 bars can be interchanged. All SE-R B13 bars are the big variety. Compare yours to a B13 bar. I think the big is 28.4 mm.
I'm with those guys. FYI - both of them are VERY knowledgeable, I quote both of them quite often.

I have a pretty complete suspension on my vehicle, it is a street car, daily driver. However, it is set-up well enough to hold it's own on an autocross or road course.

AGX, Hyperco, Koni bumps, Progress RSB (on medium setting), OEM front sway bar, Progress LCAB, Superpro caster bushings, Cusco FSTB, BIB 3-point RSTB, IKEA brace, B14 wheels, urethane steering rack bushing, Prothane mounts X 4, and a comprehensively foamed chassis.

My next, and probably final upgrade will by swapping the AGX for CSK's.

Note that a "new front sway bar" is not in my plans.
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Last edited by Shawn B; 08-15-2009 at 04:34 PM.
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Old 08-15-2009, 10:39 PM   #12 (permalink)
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I'm still using the stock front bar on my car, and my set up is Konis with GCs and 325/250 springs, Stillen rear bar, bent beam, Superpro caster bushings with ES bushings and both STBs. The car is very neutral. With an unbent beam, a bigger front bar is going to give you more understeer. I used to have a front ST bar, but the car handled horrible.
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Old 08-15-2009, 11:39 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Only time I think the progress bar is necessary is on a track car in capable hands!
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Old 08-17-2009, 11:10 AM   #14 (permalink)
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I'm not too late for the beam bending party am I?


Quote:
Originally Posted by davin550 View Post
Thanks. I'll double check to see if the B13 ST will fit on a B14. I just assumed since a stock (and even Progress) front is interchangeable between the B13 and B14.

I'm wondering if I even NEED to upgrade the OEM B14 front (25mm hollow) on my car. I read in a couple of threads (sorry I can't find them again) that some people were using an OEM front and just upgrading the rear. It wasn't clear if they running and OEM B14 front or an OEM B13 front (28mm solid), or if they were driving a B13 or B14. I've been told that stiffening the rear will help the car drive more neutral, but stiffening the front too much will cause it to understeer again. I don't know if I should touch the front or upgrade and to what. If anyone could give some advice or share their experiences, I'd appreciate it.

(I know, I know... get my beam bent. I'm trying to work on that. If anyone is interested in joining a beam bending party in Nashville, let me know.)
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Old 08-17-2009, 12:59 PM   #15 (permalink)
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I'm not too late for the beam bending party am I?
Nope, not too late! I'm still trying to others to join. You are #3, so I need 3 more.

Anyone else interested???
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Old 08-17-2009, 02:16 PM   #16 (permalink)
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I'm not too late for the beam bending party am I?
You have a B14 now?
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Old 08-17-2009, 05:44 PM   #17 (permalink)
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Im interested in bending my beam but I can't make it out to nashville because school is starting back up. If you can get someone within VA to host it Im much more likely to be able to sign on. First you have to find a place to host it and Steve needs a garage in case in rains.
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Old 08-17-2009, 07:49 PM   #18 (permalink)
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i have progress coilovers, progress sway bars front and rear set on "soft" or whatever you would like to call the setting, i cant get my LCA to fit because of my 3" downpipe, i also have Stillen FSTB and "OCTOTAT"(i think is his username) rear strut bar which by the way is a very nice fitting and finished piece, my car handles very well in my opinion, ihave owned many fwd cars on suspension mods... its very balanced and i dont have understeer issues...im also on STOCK bushings (which i will fix when frosty the snoman comes...) the car is very responsive and i havent tried the stiffer setting on the bars i like it where it is, its a little rough for a daily drive, but sheit i didnt build the car to be quiet or smooth!! I honestly thought it would be a hell of alot worse of a ride...and i live in canada our roads are horrible...progress great company imo...and im on prothane engine mounts if it makes a difference in handling,,,power goes to the ground great (375whp) but the car will shake you silly at idle...ahhh stiff motor mounts!!

Last edited by adishere; 08-17-2009 at 07:50 PM. Reason: add
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Old 08-18-2009, 09:46 PM   #19 (permalink)
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I have the Hyperco/AGX setup with a Progress rear bar. I kept the stock front bar but changed the end link and mounting bushings to ES for better response.
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Old 08-20-2009, 02:57 PM   #20 (permalink)
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...and im on prothane engine mounts if it makes a difference in handling,,,power goes to the ground great (375whp) but the car will shake you silly at idle...ahhh stiff motor mounts!!
Yes, the motor mounts make a difference in handling. No question whatsoever.

If the motor/tranny moves when centrifugal force is built up around a turn, the shifting weight will upset the vehicle dynamics. It might be only a "little" upset by the shifting weight, but the handling is upset.

Porshe just came out with "magneto-helioriological" (sp?) motor mounts. Like the shocks (struts?) in Corvette. So that the motor/tranny mounts can "clamp down" when the vehicles sensors determine that the vehicle is being driven hard and fast. Why? So the motor/tranny cannot move and upset the suspension/chassis. Therefore gaining the last tenth of a second out of a quarter mile or lap around the Ring.
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