GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

Yes, I think that was it - 1/2 sec at best. Sorry for the misquote.

And pianoman, thanks for the kudos. At the risk of sounding like a braggart, I ran the PCA event in the Miata, on street tires. Had I shown up with the RX-8 with the Kumhos mounted, I might have had FTD, based on the performance of one of my fellow SCCA competitors who ran his STU STi that day. The nice thing was that most of the P-car drivers were pretty cool about it - I got a lot of thumbs up, etc. Good bunch of folks.

dsmdriver

iTrader: (3)

Just as an FYI for some people reading this thread- GeorgeH is talking about a SCCA B-Stock autocross setup where you can only change the front bar. Changing the front and rear at the same time will be a totally different experience.

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

Absolutely correct.

However, SCCA rules not withstanding, I still reccomend shocks as the first suspension mod if cost isn't an object.

Which is to say, if you took two otherwise stock cars, put D-Specs or Konis on one (properly dialed in of course), and RB sways on the other, and took them back-to-back over some undulating back roads, with camber changes, elevation changes, decreasing radius turns, rippled pavement, etc, I believe most people would prefer the car with the shocks, although the car with the bars would feel better on a typical freeway clover-leaf.

If I wern't constrained by the stock class rules, I'd probably order the WL rear bar and have both the shocks and the bars mounted. That would be an outstanding street setup. But if I had to choose, I'd take the shocks over the bars.

KAtC10

Are any of the sways available adjustable?

MazdaRich

Ah by George I responded to you in the autocross thread. But I agree that people were saying the konis induced some understeer with a big bar. I should talk to a local guy who has that setup and see how it's working for him.

I'm going to try the rear RB bar as well, but of course I will still be constrained by the crappy stock shocks. Eventually I'll probably do a shock and spring combo, since I think I like ST better than Stock right now.

kwescott

Agency Power

swoope

iTrader: (5)

whiteline

beers

KAtC10

OMG, $500 for the set??? Are you kidding me??

kwescott

there's a set of whiteline bars (front and rear) on Ebay right now.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

whiteline,

vendor dpe... includes poly bushings.... i think 300 bucks for a set of adj....

tell phill swoope sent ya..

beers

KAtC10

I can't find them. All that comes up when I search is a front and rear Tanabe.

kwescott

type in "RX8 whiteline" and you should find them

KAtC10

Found them. I was trying it as rx-8, not rx8.

So for track/auto-X, what sways are preferred?

swoope

iTrader: (5)

hell of a deal...

i have banned myself from buying them.....

btw, katc10 i would read a lot more before doing any mods.... i do not know what you have done, but research is you friend..... this is a good start...

beers

kwescott

depends on which class you wanna race in.

The RX8 is really competitive in B-stock (BS). In that class, you are only allowed to change the front bar, and the struts. You can put in a drop-in air filter, race tires, and can change your exhaust. If you change anything more than this, you would be in B-Street Prepared (BSP).

I race in BSP with other RX8 owners from the San Bernardino area RX8 group. I have the full MS setup and fully enjoy the driveability. Another guy has the RB bars, Sprint springs and Koni Yellows.

Most Autocross guys will tell you that the struts make the biggest difference.

Just as a side note...if you have any body mods, this will kill you. Autocrossers, and their rules, are not too accepting of body mods. To race in B-stock, or B-Street Prepared, you must have the OEM body, whether that be bone stock, or appearance package (both are fine)...but no aftermarket body pieces. This would include any front bumper, side skirts, rear bumpers, wings or hoods. Even eyelids from what i was told by one autocrosser.

KAtC10

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm not a n00b, I've have other modded cars, just new to the RX-8. I'm aware of the SCCA rules, etc. but I'm only interested in my own times. I only go to the practice days, I have no interest in actually competing, so I'm kinda just throwing the B Stock regulations out the window and doing what I want with the car. But having been to Willow Springs and Auto X in this car, I know it needs sways. I've got photographic evidence of the significant body roll, so I'm just trying to get some feedback on users as to which ones I should go with... I'll tackle the lowering later when I decide on which struts/springs/coilovers I'm gonna go with.

zoned

KAtC10,

I mentioned earlier that I have the RB sway set up on front and back witht he RB endlinks. It virtually eliminated all body roll. I'm still on the stock springs and shocks and to be honest, I dont think I'll do any upgrades to them. The car is absolutely on rails now, and while the ride is a little rougher on the street, it isnt bad at all. The best money I have ever spent on a car, by far.

KAtC10

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds great. I'm worried about getting it TOO stiff, so that's why I'm trying to get info from people who have these, ya know? How harsh is the ride compared to stock? As rough as having stiff coilovers? It's hard to describe in words, just trying to get an idea.

kwescott

here's some pics of my car with stock and MS setup. The stock is with the grey OEM wheels, and the MS is with Black OEM wheels.

EDIT: Pic 1 and 4 are MS setup. Pic 2 and 3 are stock setup.

KAtC10

Thanks for the pics. Here's me stock:

zoned

Not bad, you will feel the road more, but it's not like throwing on stiff springs or shocks, it wont beat you to death, you'll just know whats under you.

KAtC10

Not bad at all. My only reservation is that they're not adjustable. And not being able to test drive them before buying, I'm hesitant to go with somethere where I'm locked into something I'm not sure of. Where are you located again? *wink*

zoned

KAtC10, I'm in North Carolina, or I would gladly let you test drive mine. There has to be someone on here from Cali, that will help you out. I was hesitant as well and read every thread on here about swaybars before going with the Racing Beat.
The only downside that I can think of, is that I had to have some holes drilled to accomodate the RB end links, so I cant go back to the factory ones. (not that I would ever dream of it).
Any car clubs in your area where someone may have the RB setup?

92tsiawd

I have S-tech springs and rb swaybars, just did a lapping day this past weekend and did three prior when I didn't have sway bars, what a difference, I can control the car a lot more steering seems more direct, there is so little roll now. Best mod I have done to the car by far

icyur2

I have read that the Tanabe(?) bars is a compromise between the MS and RB bars..anyone have feedback on this? I would like to be the "balance" between the 2 bars..MS is soft, while RB is more rough..

Speaking of which, for those who had this installed, how much did it cost? Parts & labor? Or..did most of you do it yourself???