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sway bar?

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 7:06 pm
by Nickb
Recently had the Tein flexes installed, new superpro bushes and a wheel alignment. All good, but the back end feels like its \"rolling\" too much. Front end feels ok, but back seems a bit loose and I'm getting oversteer. I can stiffen up the dampers, but don't feel this is the right way to go. Should I be looking a thicker rear sway bar?

Nick

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 7:22 pm
by deez
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't a thicker swaybar at the rear --> more oversteer?

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 8:22 pm
by Okibi
Yes, can create more over steer :mrgreen:

So stick a thicker one in the front too.

Come for a ride in my car (now it's back on the road) and you can see how the racing beats handle.

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:08 pm
by deez
I think the basic principle is, less oversteer = front swaybar > rear swaybar

:)

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 8:51 pm
by Nickb
A ride would be good. Think we have the same alignment settings overwise so would be interested in seeing the difference in the bars. The oversteer is pretty controllable, but I would like it a bit more neutral.

btw looking at doing the Dutton rally next month, got a bit of work to do before then, me and the car!

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 8:58 pm
by Okibi
I'm too broke but i'll try and be there to snap some pics.

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:14 pm
by CT
You are getting oversteer because the NA cars are too soft in the chassis for the 336lb rear springs in the flex. Not even a monster front bar with no rear bar will overcome the balance issue you are having. You need to drop your rear spring rate to around 260lb which combined with a matched set of sways (can I suggest whiteline 3 way adjustable front and rear) you will be fine.

How do I know? Because that's how my NA race car was setup and I guarantee it will fix your issues. The rear is just too stiffly sprung. Kings can make the springs to suit too - that's who made my set. 8)

Re:

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:51 pm
by Slugoid
CT wrote:You are getting oversteer because the NA cars are too soft in the chassis for the 336lb rear springs in the flex. Not even a monster front bar with no rear bar will overcome the balance issue you are having. You need to drop your rear spring rate to around 260lb which combined with a matched set of sways (can I suggest whiteline 3 way adjustable front and rear) you will be fine.

What's the spring rate for the springs in the Tein SS? Just asking as I'm planning on some new coilovers in the near future.

As for the NA chassis being too soft, would a full underbody chassis brace (like the Flyin' Miata butterfly brace) solve the problem?

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:41 pm
by Nickb
CT,

Interesting comments on the spring rates. Haven't had too much experience with them yet, but will keep that in mind. Need to play around a bit to work out what the go is.

Okibi, would be good to see a friendly face around. If it all goes ahead, will be my first outing so not expecting too much. Need to try and get some sort of practice in before it...

Re:

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:42 pm
by veecee
CT wrote:You are getting oversteer because the NA cars are too soft in the chassis for the 336lb rear springs in the flex. Not even a monster front bar with no rear bar will overcome the balance issue you are having. You need to drop your rear spring rate to around 260lb which combined with a matched set of sways (can I suggest whiteline 3 way adjustable front and rear) you will be fine.

How do I know? Because that's how my NA race car was setup and I guarantee it will fix your issues. The rear is just too stiffly sprung. Kings can make the springs to suit too - that's who made my set. 8)

What about when it comes to an NB?

Re:

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:43 pm
by veecee
Slugoid wrote:
CT wrote:You are getting oversteer because the NA cars are too soft in the chassis for the 336lb rear springs in the flex. Not even a monster front bar with no rear bar will overcome the balance issue you are having. You need to drop your rear spring rate to around 260lb which combined with a matched set of sways (can I suggest whiteline 3 way adjustable front and rear) you will be fine.

What's the spring rate for the springs in the Tein SS? Just asking as I'm planning on some new coilovers in the near future.

As for the NA chassis being too soft, would a full underbody chassis brace (like the Flyin' Miata butterfly brace) solve the problem?

http://www.tein.com/mazda.html

Re:

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:58 pm
by StanTheMan
Nickb wrote:CT,

but will keep that in mind. Need to play around a bit to work out what the go is.


ROFLMHO

sounds almost like a response of Adam when God offered to make Eve.

ROFLMHO.

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:05 pm
by Okibi
STM get your linux arse into chat!

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:12 am
by manga_blue
You can take the rear sway bar off altogether on an NA with those spring rates. It'll be fine.

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:02 am
by CT
NBs are stiffer in the rear of the car especially so they are fine the stock Tein flex rates. Taking off the rear sway with standard tein springs on my NA did nothing to fix the balance issue - they need a lower rear spring rate or a stupidly stiff front spring rate, ie 500lbs. My NA had a welded in cage too and the rates were still too high. I doubt any underbody bracing will have the same affect as softening the rear springs - it's just too big a step. 8)