Do I REALLY need a rear swaybar upgrade?

[BlimeyCabrio]

OK, I know this is a loaded question. I'm just trying to fit it in my "hierarchy of need" - I know my intake and pulley come first.

Given that I have a 2006 MCS with Sport package, and that I only drive on the street but DO like to throw it around on the twisties, I'm just trying to understand whether I'll REALLY notice a positive difference, and if so, what this will be. I know, a total suspension newbie kinda question... but I need a little guidance from the been there, done that crowd...

Thanks.

[MidnightDave]

I put one on my car as a matter of chivalry and convenience. I didn't want Way's girlfriend to have to sit on it on the way back to Indy, and I knew I wanted one "someday", so, during a mod day at a shop in SC, I let him put it on my car. (HKS Comp middle setting)

It's made the ride much stiffer, (pot holes can help you identify loose fittings) and the cornering much better--my seat of the pants assessment is that the rear end tracks better if that makes sense? (I know, I know less understeer.) I plan to make a track car out of it eventually, however, as a daily driver I might not do it. Also, if I were you I'd have Dan at GrassRoots do it, b/c he's local and a little cheaper! ;-)

The intake (Dan put in a Helix for me with a modded stock box) is a great mod for about the same money b/c you can hear it and the throttle response is a little better, too. ;-)

[minimark]

I just put a H Sport 19mm on my 06 MCS a couple weeks ago! I am running it on the middle setting right now and beleive me it makes a lot of difference. The car is much flatter in the turns, feels a little more like a rear wheel drive car. The ride is a little stiffer and I will run it on the softest setting for a trip, should be pretty close to stock in ride then. If I want to go to the track or the Dragon I can put it on the firmest setting! You sound like you want about the same thing I was after and I HIGHLY recommend it. Have fun!

[BlimeyCabrio]

Kinda what I thought...

Problem is that the situation where I'll need it the most (Dragon), I'll be hauling wife and two kids and gear (when I REALLY need ride comfort). So until someone comes up with the pushbutton hydraulic adjusting rear sway (yeah, right) I don't see a good solution for that (adjusting it after I get there is not something I'm really considering...).

And I don't really want to have to buy Koni FSD's plus the sway just to get back to something similar to the ride comfort I already have.... geesh. Why can't this be easy??? :)

Oh yeah, and my Dinan intake and Alta hose should be delivered today and installed tomorrow... :)

[minimark]

It only takes 10 minutes tops to change from one setting to the other.

[BlimeyCabrio]

Hmmmm.... Can I change the setting with nothing but the standard jack and a handful of wrenches???

[minimark]

standard jack, 1 metric wrench, 1 metric allen wrench. You can check mine out sometime if you want. It is as close to having your cake and eating it to as you can get! The car really responds to the sway bar upgrade.

[onefastmini]

Blimey,
The swaybar by itself does not affect the straight line ride quality significantly because the bar is not twisting much until you enter a corner. If you would like to call me, I would be happy to consult with you about it. My number is at the top of my website.
--Dan

[MidnightDave]

Hey Dan, let's crank my RSB to the highest setting before the track day / Dragon, I don't have any loose fillings! ;-)

[onefastmini]

Hey Dan, let's crank my RSB to the highest setting before the track day / Dragon, I don't have any loose fillings! ;-)

not yet, you don't :D

[Eepers]

For convertibles, is any of the above information invalidated?

[BlimeyCabrio]

All true. I eventually purchased and installed a H-sport swaybar based on the recommendations above. I've had it on for about a month and a half and couldn't be happier. I have it in the middle setting and am leaving it there. My cabrio-specific install writeup and initial experiences are here (http://blimey.gomotoring.com/?p=29).

[Eepers]

Ah damn, I would have liked to have seen that install, haha. I'm nervous as they come about messing with anything on a vehicle... I'll knock a wall out of my house and have it looking new in a week, but when it comes to automotive DIY endeavors, I'm quite a nervous camper.

[MidnightDave]

I'm the same way. While I was removing load bearing walls during our kitchen remodel, I let Way and Dan put on the RSB, the CAI, the boost guage, etc.!