RJayX-8

Been doing some research on Sway Bar kits and just want so input on which would be the best to go with. I know there are others out there but these were a few of the most common I've seen and heard about.

MazdaSpeed: hollow stabilizer bar with a diameter of 27.2 mm and a wall thickness of 4.0mm.

Tanabe: http://www.tanabe-usa.com/stabilizer.asp

Agency Power: http://www.agency-power.com/catalog/...g9hhaf9c3678j6

WhiteLine:http://www.andysautosport.com/mazda/...ars/whiteline/

Hotchkis: Sport Suspension Sway Bars, Red Powdercoated, Steel, Hollow, Front/Rear, 33mm/21mm Diameters, Mazda, Kit

Now just my OPINION Tanabe might the better choice, but that's me. So please no flaming just give your input.

wrightcomputing

iTrader: (5)

+1 for no flames..... I am actually also interested in which is currently the best sway bar option, most of the info I have found is over a year old, so there may be newer better equipment available now.
Which ever you go with I would recommend trimming the urethane bushing to stop it binding or add spacer washers.

RJayX-8

Never heard of the sway bar binding can you explain.

wrightcomputing

iTrader: (5)

I read a thread about it that the urethane can be a little tight when installed and basically sticks to the sway bar preventing the sway bar from moving from side to side reducing the handling aspects of the car. I think someone adding a link in the STX thread a while ago. By trimming the urethane with a knife or adding a spacer washer gives the bushing a little more room to move.

RotaryTherapy

iTrader: (1)

That's why Urethane or Delrin bushings need to be greased. The Agency Power sways that I got all came with a pack of grease.

Chad D.

iTrader: (19)

I have a set of Racing Beat sways and I am happy with them. They are pretty heavy duty.
I also grease the hell out of my bushings.

comebackqid

iTrader: (13)

BHR has progress techs for 299.00 for a set (F+R) I'm going with these. I will keep you posted on how they feel compared to stock.

Arca_ex

iTrader: (10)

One of the big ones you left off the list is Progress Technology sway bars. That's what I have on my car and couldn't be happier. Fully adjustable and my car doesn't roll over at all in the corners. Made a huge difference in cornering capability for sure.


Front:
-Size: 32mm (hollow bar; 6.35mm side-wall)
-Adjustment Range: 3 holes

Rear:
-Size: 19mm (solid bar)
-Adjustment Range: 2 holes

comebackqid

iTrader: (13)

^yeap those are the ones I'm getting too. what are your specs as far suspension goes what adjustment are you running on your sways, camber/caster etc.

Arca_ex

iTrader: (10)

It's not a very street friendly setup.

PowerTrix coilovers with the dampers set almost at full stiff, 11k springs up front, 8k springs out back.
Front bar is in the medium position and rear is full stiff.
I have whiteline adjustable endlinks
-2.4 camber front
-2.9 camber rear
-0.1 toe all four corners.

comebackqid

iTrader: (13)

^ yea that is pretty aggressive thx for the info though, I have stance GR+ 9k(F) 6k(R) -1.6f,1.8r 0 toe, getting bushings sways tie rod/rod ends and running -2.0(F+R) with 0 toe but I'm only doing a few events a year plus it's my DD.

RJayX-8

wrightcomputing not knocking anyone or anything but cutting the bushing don't seem like a good idea, if it works it works. but yea I've worked as a tech at dealers for 10yrs and one thing you pick you early is with any type of bushing lube is your best friend makes things easier to install and fixes certain levels of noises.

And on another note, not down the product just thinking on a logic sense, I mean you would think that with a hollow sway bar that over time it will loose its strength at a faster rate than a solid bar just cause of the obvious, but i could be wrong or just over thinking it. (Im just saying) but yea i did leave Progress out.

RJayX-8

Yea please give feed back on them, Im treating myself and my 8 to either a cat-back system or sway bar kit for my birthday this Friday so if i go with the exhaust then i would like to know all my options for sways and how other 8 owners like them before i order mine.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

if you don't want any flames, but do want to know then just search the several dozen threads that already exist on this same subject

fwiw, there is no such thing as a "best" swaybar kit except maybe in N00blandia ...

wrightcomputing

iTrader: (5)

Here is what I was talking about http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=203563

"To fix this problem, there are two easy solutions. One is to grind away some of the material from the flat outside part of the D_shaped bushing. Alternatively, you can put a washer or two under the saddle mount to shim it up. I prefer the former method. Ultimately, you are looking to be able to smoothly move the bar arms up and down when the end links are disconnected."

I have not done this myself but each to there own.

elysium19

iTrader: (1)

this has been discussed to death, its true.

progress tech are amazing. Definitely on the firmer/heavier side though. but work absolute wonders, made well, and are fully adjustable.

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Progress is good, and are adjustable. You will need to mod the bushings or they will bind. I tried grease, grease fitting, Teflon and sacrificed a goat before I put washers under them. When I get more time the washers will come out and the flat parts will get shaved. BTW, issue was only in the front.

WreakLoosE

ok guys... I got a chance to upgrade my sway bars.... so Ima update this thread with a little feed back..

what I got...

05 rx8
Megan Racing Coil overs..
spring rates:10 kg in the front
6 kg in the rear
(right now im trying to go with 8 kg in the rear. I thought my fronts would fit and put them in the rear when I put the 10kg springs in the front.. but they are too big. so I havent changed the rear spring rates yet.)

I put on the Agency Power rear 19mm sway bar with Ageny Power End Links.. I also installed the Front Agency Power 32mm bar with Agency Power End lings..

The install..

Rear was SO easy... took like 15 mins. Tightened everything with wheels on the grounds.. VERY straight forward..

Front.. Not too bad at all..
after car is jacked up high enough to fit under it and do work
Take off the Plastic under tray. Remove radiator bottom mounts. And disconnect the wire harness for the power steering and ground wire.. (also have to cut and reattach the zip ties holding wires in place.)
By the Grace of Gold all Mighty.. my oem end links all came out with no fuss.. Took the front bar out.. the radiator will move and give some play to get the bar out. the BOOM.. put in the new one reverse order... LOWER the car and tighten up the bolts.. (had my kid nephew sit in the drivers seat.. he is 14 years old about a good 150) and got the wheels sitting on ramps. Not too bad of an install.. Got the front on the middle holes. and rear bars on the inside holes. (closest to the bend in the bar) So far I like the feeling I can feel the rear turn in more in hard turns.. I still got to get stiffer spring in the rear and really test how it is working. But as of now I like the bars and set up alot.. I cant wait to get it all tuned in...

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

My own personal experience falls in line with the many who track their cars and have learned from experience.... but in regards to rear bar, the only "upgrade" that would be worth considering is to get the R3 OEM rear bar.

Went from a progress tech to the R3 rear bar .... night and day.

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

The R3 bars are softer than the progress bars, why the night and day preference going softer?

Just curious as I ordered both front and rear progress bars last week after seeing many threads where they are raved about being the best option and priced reasonably.

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

Stiffer doesn't always mean better. It's all about balancin the rest of your suspension

edit:

The point really (as it has been said ad-nauseum) is that there is no "best" swaybar. My "best" might be your "worst". Touch any part of your suspension, even lowering it, will change the dynamics of the system. What helped make the car feel more stout on the track goes completely out the window if you change a spring rate, or tire pressure.

Ask yourself why you are upgrading your swaybars. Is the car understeering on the track? Oversteering? If you are changing them 'just because they are a mod', then you really are doing your car a disservice

WreakLoosE

I was going to do the progress but went with the Agency power bars because progress makes them and they are less $. The rear doesn't feel that stiff to me.. maybe because the very soft springs i have in the rear?? But I got to get some track time in feel how I like it and what I need to do.

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

I was just wondering how they where better for your application, I know its personal preference. Just curious what you like better about a soft bar.

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

I have heavy spring rates, 11K/8K with a mild lowering and the progresstech bar in the front. Having the progress tech in the rear just made the car far too stiff and wouldn't rotate that well. R3 bar made it far more fluid.

WreakLoosE

Ya know.. I think I sort of went this same route... I got a harder Bar but softer spring.. Maybe this does a similar affect?? but any way I like the performance.. I do want to do harder spring and I can see what diff. that makes...