Strut Bar vs Sway Bar
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 5
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From: Ohio
Strut Bar vs Sway Bar
I want to eliminate body roll. I know putting it in Sport+ mode tightens the suspension but I still want to get rid of the body roll and have an even stiffer ride. Would you recommend a strut bar? Sway bar? Or do I need both? Just curious
2014 IS350 F Sport AWD
2014 IS350 F Sport AWD
A strut bar doesn't really do anything, especially those aluminum ones, even if they are solid. The amount of forces acting on it, you need a multipoint welded frame to make any difference. A sway bar will eliminate a lot of body roll, but the rest of your frame and suspension aren't designed for it, so you'll fill more twist in the body of the car, and its not going to be balanced. Its not an easy fix, you will not get good results with just sway bars, you need to beefen up the rest of your chassis.
Between the 2, you will feel a noticeable difference with a (thicker) sway bar (hence the term).
A tower strut bar usually complements the other upgraded suspension components.
More members will chime in on their personal experience.
A tower strut bar usually complements the other upgraded suspension components.
More members will chime in on their personal experience.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 381
From: nj
sway bar you have to drop the frame of the car. Strut bar the brand is Tom's Racing. Heard the strut bar doesn't make that much of a difference, go for coilovers or springs. I have the RSR down springs, it's noticeably stiffer, handles better but I still feel a bit of the body roll.
Stickier tires make a huge difference, about to wrap my wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S A/S versus my Hankook set up rn which slip up sometimes
Stickier tires make a huge difference, about to wrap my wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S A/S versus my Hankook set up rn which slip up sometimes
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Thanks guys. I'm just wanting to build my Lexus so I just wanted to know or curious about what to purchase to upgrade the performance of it. I appreciate the help as well! I'll be back for more questions to find out what's best for it. Thanks again!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,510
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A modest (or less) increase in stiffness for a rear sway bar is usually welcome. But also know this can make your ride stiffer and other tuning factors must be taken into consideration. Race cars and/or serious track cars sometimes delete sway bars cause they're not needed.
But also IIRC the rear subframe needs dropping on the IS to change the rear sway so don't think it's going to be your typical honda civic rear sway bar day. you'll need an alignment after (ideally) due to unbolting the rear axle carrier. not fun..
honestly just enjoy the car as is =) too many guys like to bolt and strap stuff on. I've learned after 20 years 98% of bolting stuff on was money wasted on junk. it was mostly just young dude me being bored wanting to buy sh and strap it to my car thinking i just did something great when reality i was just pissing away money. almost none of it will make any meaningful difference in the grand scheme of things. i wish i had saved all that money..
But also IIRC the rear subframe needs dropping on the IS to change the rear sway so don't think it's going to be your typical honda civic rear sway bar day. you'll need an alignment after (ideally) due to unbolting the rear axle carrier. not fun..
honestly just enjoy the car as is =) too many guys like to bolt and strap stuff on. I've learned after 20 years 98% of bolting stuff on was money wasted on junk. it was mostly just young dude me being bored wanting to buy sh and strap it to my car thinking i just did something great when reality i was just pissing away money. almost none of it will make any meaningful difference in the grand scheme of things. i wish i had saved all that money..
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
A modest (or less) increase in stiffness for a rear sway bar is usually welcome. But also know this can make your ride stiffer and other tuning factors must be taken into consideration. Race cars and/or serious track cars sometimes delete sway bars cause they're not needed.
But also IIRC the rear subframe needs dropping on the IS to change the rear sway so don't think it's going to be your typical honda civic rear sway bar day. you'll need an alignment after (ideally) due to unbolting the rear axle carrier. not fun..
honestly just enjoy the car as is =) too many guys like to bolt and strap stuff on. I've learned after 20 years 98% of bolting stuff on was money wasted on junk. it was mostly just young dude me being bored wanting to buy sh and strap it to my car thinking i just did something great when reality i was just pissing away money. almost none of it will make any meaningful difference in the grand scheme of things. i wish i had saved all that money..
But also IIRC the rear subframe needs dropping on the IS to change the rear sway so don't think it's going to be your typical honda civic rear sway bar day. you'll need an alignment after (ideally) due to unbolting the rear axle carrier. not fun..
honestly just enjoy the car as is =) too many guys like to bolt and strap stuff on. I've learned after 20 years 98% of bolting stuff on was money wasted on junk. it was mostly just young dude me being bored wanting to buy sh and strap it to my car thinking i just did something great when reality i was just pissing away money. almost none of it will make any meaningful difference in the grand scheme of things. i wish i had saved all that money..
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