Z-51 sway bars
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Cruising
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11
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Z-51 sway bars
Just installed Z-51 sway bars on the base suspension. Definetley sharper feeling on curves, but when I get aggressive on the turns, the back end seems to break loose much easier. The "active handling control" activates more often. Has anyone noticed this? The weather was cooler than usual today (55 degrees) so maybe the tires weren't gripping as good. I'm almost thinking of switching back, but don't want to give up the much improved "sharpness" in the turns. Any feedback?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 812
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I don't know what the spring rates are on either suspension, but you obviously have it a bit loose now. Other things equal, you need to either stiffen the front more, or soften the rear to allow better traction there. You might first try experimenting with tire pressures (more in the rear), or alignment settings.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 81
From: Whidbey Island WA
Nah, the Z51 is tuned to allow more oversteer and with the Z51 sway bars you got that tune now as well. The car is actually a little better balanced this way for those backroad fun runs because it comes out easier but does so more smoothly and is more reponsive to throttle input. Enjoy.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Orange County CA
Originally Posted by crabman
Nah, the Z51 is tuned to allow more oversteer and with the Z51 sway bars you got that tune now as well. The car is actually a little better balanced this way for those backroad fun runs because it comes out easier but does so more smoothly and is more reponsive to throttle input. Enjoy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
From: Salinas Ca
Originally Posted by crabman
Nah, the Z51 is tuned to allow more oversteer and with the Z51 sway bars you got that tune now as well. The car is actually a little better balanced this way for those backroad fun runs because it comes out easier but does so more smoothly and is more reponsive to throttle input. Enjoy.
Take note of the difference in diameter between the stock rear sway bar and the "Z" bar.....it's a HUGH difference. Unlike the diff. between the front bars.
A stiffer rear suspension will create a more "oversteer" situation.
All cars, for the most part, are built to understeer(push) because the natural reaction to going into a corner too fast is to lift your foot off the throttle. Lifting will cause the front tires to "grab" and continue(hopefully) around the corner.This is for the majority of the drivers on the road.
A higher performance car is more balanced toward a LESS understeer/push tendency. It's easier to induce oversteer(loose) condition/situation with a stiffer rear bar/suspension. If you "lift" off the throttle in this type of car the backend will rotate around (oversteer).
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale CA
If it bothers you drop 2 psi out of the cold pressures you use for the rear tires...active handling should not be coming on anymore unless you are overdriving the car...ie no direct connection between z51 bars and AH coming on more...the indirect connection is your right foot....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
From: Salinas Ca
Originally Posted by bobodon
Just installed Z-51 sway bars on the base suspension. Definetley sharper feeling on curves, but when I get aggressive on the turns, the back end seems to break loose much easier. The "active handling control" activates more often. Has anyone noticed this? The weather was cooler than usual today (55 degrees) so maybe the tires weren't gripping as good. I'm almost thinking of switching back, but don't want to give up the much improved "sharpness" in the turns. Any feedback?
