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+--- Thread: Sway Bar Recommendation (/showthread.php?tid=996)
Sway Bar Recommendation - tetra - 08-24-2009
Hey guys, need an opinion here.. So my 2009 Focus SES already has what is I think a 20mm read sway bar. I'll be dropping it soon with an FRPP kit. Do you guys think this RSB is good enough or should I go bigger? What else compliments a drop? I currently have a strut tower bar.
Thanks!
--Chad
Sway Bar Recommendation - Oscar The Grouch - 08-24-2009
Your sway bars should be fine if you drop.
Depending on how much drop you do, you might be able to get away with camber bolts and 1deg plates. If you go really low, you'll need a camber arm on each side of the rear and a 5 deg plate for each front. All depends as well on if you care about how much your tires wear.
IIRC, the FRPP kit drops F1.5" and R1.75", you should be able to get away with camber bolts and 1deg plates.
Sway Bar Recommendation - GFXjamie - 08-24-2009
all depends... what do you like doing with your car?
if your into Autox or want to improve handling, id upgrade to something like a 25mm RSB
Sway Bar Recommendation - Focus man. Focus. - 08-24-2009
Hey Chad. On my 02 ZX5 I did the Eibach Pro-Kit springs and didn't need to change anything. Everything lined up within spec when the alignment was done. My drop is 1.5" and I used the stock struts (originals, 7 years old). I have had them in there for about 1.5yrs and I haven't run into any problems.
All I can say is with the lower centre of gravity the car handles a lot better now than it ever did. BTW I am also using the OEM sway bars.
Sway Bar Recommendation - tetra - 08-24-2009
Cool, thanks for the info guys!
Sway Bar Recommendation - torradan - 08-25-2009
My advice, keep the stock sways. See how the car handles after the new kit is put on, and go from there. If this is just a street car, no point changing the bars. If you're going to have it on the track, try it out and see how it feels before blowing cash on something you may not need.
In all my experience, the stock sway bars on the autocross track worked just fine. Car was planted around the corners without and slipping or thinking it was going to let loose.
Sway Bar Recommendation - tetra - 08-25-2009
Alright cool.. So is there really a huge difference with just a 1.5" drop? I've heard people claim "it handles like a go-kart" after doing this.. lol
Sway Bar Recommendation - Oscar The Grouch - 08-25-2009
tetra,Aug 24 2009, 11:43 AM Wrote:Alright cool.. So is there really a huge difference with just a 1.5" drop? I've heard people claim "it handles like a go-kart" after doing this.. lol
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All depends on what type of springs you get. Different springs have different rates.
I know with my Eibach pro kit's they feel pretty good, but no where like the go cart feel.
Sway Bar Recommendation - GFXjamie - 08-25-2009
tetra,Aug 24 2009, 10:43 AM Wrote:Alright cool.. So is there really a huge difference with just a 1.5" drop? I've heard people claim "it handles like a go-kart" after doing this.. lol
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Definately not a go kart feel lol maybe once you do strut/shock combo you will feel that way. The frpp kit, is that the KW springs like ive got? if so very nice a stiff springs, i like them a lot, work well with the KYB AGX shocks i put in on my 4 door. It all depends how you like your cornering as well, i like hitting corners, on ramps and roundabouts and getting thru em nice an smooth/quickly, i tossed a 28.6mm RSB on mine with the KYB AGX shocks and KW springs. stock front sway and i get no over steer with how i have everything set up. works really nicely on windy roads and on ramps.
Sway Bar Recommendation - tetra - 08-25-2009
Well I am doing shocks/struts at the same time I put the springs in.
M-18000-ZX3B shocks/struts
M-5560-ZX3B springs
That's what I got. Eibach doesn't make damper kits for 2008+ yet :(
Sway Bar Recommendation - Oscar The Grouch - 08-25-2009
Are you planning on driving this car in the winter? IIRC, if you put on stiffer swaybars on the back, the back end will tend to oversteer more often on snow/ice when turning.
Sway Bar Recommendation - tetra - 08-25-2009
I think I'm just gonna leave the RSB stock.. Which is 20mm I believe.
It's my DD all year round.
Sway Bar Recommendation - Gabriel - 08-25-2009
IMO sway bars make a big diference , I have Eibach sways with little stiffer lowering springs and OEM shocks and struts and made big change in handling
Sway Bar Recommendation - DRyanC - 08-27-2009
may I ask why you choose the M-18000-ZX3B shocks/struts instead of the M-5560-ZXM dampers?
I was thinking of using the same springs but would the 5560 dampers not be match for the springs?
DRyanC
EDIT: nevermind, something is wierd with the part numbers on capaldiracing.