NC Whiteline sway bars

[Farty]

It seems there is universal praise for the fitment of Whitline adjustable sways . . . has anyone just installed the front bar only ?
I note a lot of the S2000 guys are doing fronts only as the rear bar can (apparently) induce snap over steer.

[Charlie Brown]

Install the front bar only and balance goes out the window. You will understeer dramatically.

I have them fitted and for the road the fronts are set on “soft” and the rears on either the soft or centre position. On the track the rear one goes up to full hard. Full hard for the road tends to oversteer slightly through round-abouts with spirited driving.

As for the S2000’s, snap oversteer is caused by them backing off through corners when on the limit. The same thing will happen to a MX-5.

[Farty]

Thanx CB, just the person I was hoping to hear from. Appreciate your advice.

[@ndrew]

Can i have an estimate of how long would a workshop take to install f&r sway bar?

[Farty]

Interesting question @ndrew, as I notice the Mania guys quote $30 per bar for fitting (but it's a pain in the a*se to get the car there) and my local whiteline stockers have quoted $330 for fitting alone.
Are they a relatively easy fit . . . I'm not exactly the tool type - I prefer being in the car than under it.

[@ndrew]

I've been told the rear ones are quite quick and straight forward, however the fronts are a little more complex?? Been quoted around $160, im considering just going through with it as i'm pleased with the quality of workmanship.

[Charlie Brown]

Rear 10 minutes. Don't need to jack the car up.
Front, using Mazda supplied jack and a few sockets. About 50 minutes with help to guide the new bar through the maze of tubes and chassis bits.

There is a step by step guide on Miata.net for those thinking about doing the job themselves.

[zawrilla]

Mania will fit them for $60 for the pair. If you're there to pick up the bars, and can't be arsed getting under the car to fiddle around with the fitting yourself, might as well pay them to install it. Not too much compared to the prices quoted for other places to fit the bars, and you might as well make the most of your time there if you've made the trek

[Farty]

Will see if they can do "while I wait" as I agree $60 is (relatively) insignificant - I just don't want to head to Hornsby and be told to come back.
I know it's not the end of the earth, but you can see it from there !

[@ndrew]

I'm sticking with the eibach and have no intention on installing them myself, rather be confident there on properly.

[Garry]

The rear is a 10min job, the front is a PITA. I'd gladly pay Mania $30 to fit the front one.

[Lab-ratt]

Both are easy if your patient...

[JBT]

Raising the dead here.

I now have Whiteline adjustables supplied and fitted by MX-5 Plus . Set soft front and mid rear. The transformation is just astonishing.

[Charlie Brown]

Raising the dead here.

I now have Whiteline adjustables supplied and fitted by MX-5 Plus . Set soft front and mid rear. The transformation is just astonishing.

That took you long enough to put on John. Especially after I've been telling everyone for years how much of an improvement the bars make.

Now you need to consider some lowering springs. If you don’t want to drop it much get the Racing Beat springs as they only drop it 10mm. They will make a difference also and the ride is only a touch firmer than standard.

See you at NatMeet for the charge up the hill.

[JBT]

Haha CB, I always put off to tomorrow what can be done today . Look forward to catching up at Natmeet and discussing these springs of which you speak. I'm not running the hill at Natmeet - will play at the funzykanah with Mrs JBT instead.