Does a larger front sway bar = more understeer?
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
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Does a larger front sway bar = more understeer?
I am running Hotchkis sway bars on my 99 coupe and found a great improvement in ultimate grip and stability over the z-51 setup but I am looking for a little more understeer safety reasons. Can I run a T1 GM front sway bar in conjunction with my existing rear Hotchkis bar to increase total understeer?
Pro
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Re: Does a larger front sway bar = more understeer? (turboo2u)
If you want more understeer you can:
1. increase front roll stiffness ( yes a bigger bar will do this)
2. decrease front tire size
3. increase rear tire size
4. run less negative camber up front
5. run more negative camber in the rear
5. decrease the rear roll stiffness
6. Add a little toe-in to the rear wheels
1. increase front roll stiffness ( yes a bigger bar will do this)
2. decrease front tire size
3. increase rear tire size
4. run less negative camber up front
5. run more negative camber in the rear
5. decrease the rear roll stiffness
6. Add a little toe-in to the rear wheels
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Posts: n/a
Re: Does a larger front sway bar = more understeer? (turboo2u)
Yes, but it might be more push than you'd like. I'd run the whole T1 setup, as it is still biased towards more understeer than the hotchkis pair. If you want to experiment, I have an addco/BMR front bar that is the same diameter as the hotchkis, just solid, which may give you the added front roll stiffness you want. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,685
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From: Winter Garden (central),FL,USA
Re: Does a larger front sway bar = more understeer? (turboo2u)
An easily adjustable, inexpensive way is to decrease front tire pressure/increase rear pressures enough to bias it towards understeer. Just be sure the pressures are still in their recommend pressure ranges. Once you're more comfortable w/ the car, you'll want a nuetral setup, adjust pressures accordingly. Changing 'hard' parts could be expensive...
