rac2max

Hey,

I just installed the sway bar set two days ago on my IS250 6MT...man, it makes real difference in turning corner, car seem more implanted to the ground. Definitely worth doing it.

However, my ride quality seems a little stiffer. Thought only larger wheels and shock/springs/coilovers would make your ride stiffer, not sway bars. does anyone else feel the same way or I'm just smoking crack. Thanks

rebs

I have a feeling this thread is going to get moved, but I'd be interested in hearing people's opinion on this one, since I'm considering doing the F-sport rear sway bar on my IS350.

jns350

iTrader: (7)

Just do it...less twisty flex going over bumps & uneven roads so it seems a bit stiffer but not uncomfortable. Helps a bit to reduce the "floaty" feel at higher speeds. Cornering is 10x better..just that is worth the price of admission...and yes this thread will be move soon....(in before move)

Feirax

iTrader: (1)

I felt like the car took more of a hit in the ride quality department with the rear sway, than it did going to the f-sport shocks/spring combo. In a simple manner of speaking, the sway allows both wheels to move in the same direction without coming into play, so on smooth pavement it's great. If only one of the wheels hits a bump (or the car leans) the sway twists against the opposite wheel making the ride feel stiffer and less compliant to bumps.

rebs

Interesting...so would you do it (the rear sway bar installation) again?

mikes rx

iTrader: (14)

Search the other sway bar threads........I've personally written about this already.

But, yes, it did make the ride slightly firmer. And yes, I would DEFINITELY do this again if I had to.

Individual

iTrader: (7)

I would say that the ride is noticeably stiffer now after installing both the front and rear F-sport sway bars. I thought the f-sport springs would have made the car stiffer but not as much as the sway bars have. But the stiffness is a good thing for me, "feels" like I have more control of the vehicle.

blk250

iTrader: (3)

do it...

Phil888

iTrader: (1)

yup difinately better handling and stiffer. But it sucks if you have springs instead of coilovers cause you cant change the settings on your ride. I change all the settings to soft and the ride is way better.

Feirax

iTrader: (1)

Absolutely.

juice14

I didnt really notice stiffness. maybe my tires are comfy.

rebs

Now I just have to decide if I can do it myself....I don't have mechanical skills or a jack....but I really cant justify paying 1-2 shop hours like someone else estimated. Hmmmm....

MrHarris

iTrader: (1)

I installed an IS-F rear sway and it feels great. Feels slightly firmer in the back, but I translate that into better control which I personally like. Not only is body roll reduced tremendously, but it feels more planted at highway speeds as well.

Infra

iTrader: (1)

Some of you are confusing suspension rigidity with ride harshness. Both might give a feeling of a "stiff" suspension, but springs/shocks and sway bars do two totally different things.

The F-Sport swaybars will introduce more body "twisting" when you hit uneven road surfaces. As the two sides of the car are now tied together with a bar that allows less deflection, they will not move as independantly as before. However, during cornering this is a positive thing as it will control the "lean," allowing your tires to maintain a larger contact patch at high speeds.

The F-sport springs increase spring rate as their deflection increases. The OE springs maintain a constant spring rate. The f-sports are softer at first, but firm up under force. Since they weigh less as well, they do not have as much inertia, and combined with a larger spring force they can "react" faster to road conditions, helping to keep your tire planted on the pavement.

In both instances, your are sacrificing a soft ride for more control of the car. If you like a floaty feel, these upgrades are not for you.