Whiteline Swaybars
Thread Starter
Shootin' from the hip
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Whiteline Swaybars
Okay, now that those who did the group buy thing have had their swaybars for a while, I'd love some qualitative feedback.
Do they think this was a worthwhile mod?
Has it significantly improved handling on either the street or the track?
Has it made the car harder to live with on a day to day basis?
Has anyone since taken them off? If so, why?
Would you buy them again knowing what you know now?
Thanks people in advance.
Do they think this was a worthwhile mod?
Has it significantly improved handling on either the street or the track?
Has it made the car harder to live with on a day to day basis?
Has anyone since taken them off? If so, why?
Would you buy them again knowing what you know now?
Thanks people in advance.
cry me a river...
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,475
Likes: 0
From: Syd / Melb
Originally Posted by Revolver
Okay, now that those who did the group buy thing have had their swaybars for a while, I'd love some qualitative feedback.
AFAIK, my sways are still one of the first production items :D
Originally Posted by Revolver
Do they think this was a worthwhile mod?
Originally Posted by Revolver
Has it significantly improved handling on either the street or the track?
and i'd say YES for the track also
Originally Posted by Revolver
Has it made the car harder to live with on a day to day basis?
Originally Posted by Revolver
Has anyone since taken them off? If so, why?
Originally Posted by Revolver
Would you buy them again knowing what you know now?
rev it up
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 11
From: Brisbane Australia
I had this installed yesterday. First impressions are very good. The car seems flatter around corners. If pushed hard the rear end breaks away however it is still controllable. I am able to attack the same corners around my home at higher speeds.
I must add that I also altered my toe and camber settings to both front and rear.
I still need more practice to test its limits and need to be cautious as the handling is different and it feels like you can go faster but too fast may bring disaster.
Bring on the Nats!!!
skc
I must add that I also altered my toe and camber settings to both front and rear.
I still need more practice to test its limits and need to be cautious as the handling is different and it feels like you can go faster but too fast may bring disaster.
Bring on the Nats!!!
skc
i need a new photo
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
Postives
Ditto to everything Ezzy mentioned, makes a difference you can really feel.
Negatives
Does make the car steering more "bump steer" noticeable on road, the whole clamp thing is a little less attractive than comparable MS or other alternatives, but the price is right!!
Gotta say that it's my second favourite after the "snick, snick" shifter!
Ditto to everything Ezzy mentioned, makes a difference you can really feel.
Negatives
Does make the car steering more "bump steer" noticeable on road, the whole clamp thing is a little less attractive than comparable MS or other alternatives, but the price is right!!
Gotta say that it's my second favourite after the "snick, snick" shifter!
One month....
Had mine about a month now - love 'em.
Just what I was looking for, they keep the car level and controlled in a corner, yet have very little effect on the straights, and no downside "ridewise". :D
S
Just what I was looking for, they keep the car level and controlled in a corner, yet have very little effect on the straights, and no downside "ridewise". :D
S
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 929
Likes: 0
I also agree with most here. I have to say they enable you to steer the car more easily with throttle inputs (i.e. through the corners by using the throttle you can really get the nose to take a tighter line. On the limit though I feel they have made the rear a little more prone to stepping out on you!
But the way it makes the car for everyday driving is just superb. Do it mate, you won't be sorry! :D
But the way it makes the car for everyday driving is just superb. Do it mate, you won't be sorry! :D
NT Rotorhead
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 0
From: Katherine, NT
I've had mine on for 10,000km now. So long that I can't even remember what the car used to feel like. I remember all my initial impressions being positive though, much like what Ezzy said. I'd never take them off. Very happy with the purchase. We will see what difference they make at Wakefield!
Thread Starter
Shootin' from the hip
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Originally Posted by Muzz
You are 'kinda' close to me Revolver - what are you doing this weekend, I'll show you what a difference they make.
(when mazda installs them the right way up of course...)
(when mazda installs them the right way up of course...)
). Motor show Saturday morning then straight off to my brother's place at Appin for lunch then my mother-in-law's joint at Georges Hall for dinner on the way home. Sunday we're having company over our joint for lunch and I'll no doubt have domestic stuff foisted on me in the morning.Whew. I'm gettin' tired just thinkin' about it.
So thanks for the offer but I'll see if I can bludge a drive off someone at the Nats who has had them fitted.
Thread Starter
Shootin' from the hip
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Originally Posted by Muzz
I think you are delaying because you know that if you try them out this weekend you'll have a pair fitted before the next
:D Actually, I've made an enquiry about cost and availability just in case I decide to go ahead but thus far no response - don't think Whiteline are all that quick off the mark somehow (remember the clamp fiasco).
rock-->o<--hard place
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
From: Canberra, AUSTRALIA
Well, I gave them the opportunity to set up a display and provide some sponsorship for the Nats, which I thought would have been a fantastic opportunity for them after the clamp fiasco....but they faffed around trying to make a decision and eventually declined ....obviously the opportunity to tell a better story to 8 owners wasn't on their agenda.....
.......so, I'd be more inclined to buy anything but Whiteline
.......so, I'd be more inclined to buy anything but Whiteline
Shifty Bastard.
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,835
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Australia.
Is Ric Shaw still about? I can't find his website.......he had swaybars that sold at a reasonable price. I didn't catch who his supplier was. NT Rotor Head had them fitted to his car and is very happy with them. Here's an edited PM reply from him about Ric's swaybars. He fitted new springs at the same time.
I never did get around to chasing these up. I may live to regret that come the 22nd.... :p .
I never did get around to chasing these up. I may live to regret that come the 22nd.... :p .
Originally Posted by NT Rotor Head (circa Sept 2004)
Hiya Gomez.
Yep, the bars are 3 way adjustable. I spoke to Ric in person about the adjustment and he recommended the center setting as being the one to use after experimenting both on the track and road. I haven't experimented there myself, but am happy with the result on the center setting.......
Installation is simple with the exception of the front swaybar which requires a bit of disassembly of the underside of the car.
I think that covers everything! hehe. Overall, go for it. I think it was money extremely well spent. Oh, a couple more things, the springs and swaybars seem to work nicely with the standard shocks, and RIC is of the opinion that upgraded endlinks are not required. He hasn't seen any evidence of degradation of the stock ones after some heavy use on track. So road driving is certainly not going to cause an issue.
Yep, the bars are 3 way adjustable. I spoke to Ric in person about the adjustment and he recommended the center setting as being the one to use after experimenting both on the track and road. I haven't experimented there myself, but am happy with the result on the center setting.......
Installation is simple with the exception of the front swaybar which requires a bit of disassembly of the underside of the car.
I think that covers everything! hehe. Overall, go for it. I think it was money extremely well spent. Oh, a couple more things, the springs and swaybars seem to work nicely with the standard shocks, and RIC is of the opinion that upgraded endlinks are not required. He hasn't seen any evidence of degradation of the stock ones after some heavy use on track. So road driving is certainly not going to cause an issue.
Last edited by Gomez; Oct 13, 2005 at 06:36 PM.
cry me a river...
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,475
Likes: 0
From: Syd / Melb
Originally Posted by timbo
Well, I gave them the opportunity to set up a display and provide some sponsorship for the Nats, which I thought would have been a fantastic opportunity for them after the clamp fiasco....but they faffed around trying to make a decision and eventually declined ....obviously the opportunity to tell a better story to 8 owners wasn't on their agenda.....
.......so, I'd be more inclined to buy anything but Whiteline
.......so, I'd be more inclined to buy anything but Whiteline
they have been doing well (you can imaging the publicity they got from their EVO8 wining one of those targa or some sort of an event last year), and they always provide great customer services, especially after sales, and im sure whatever the problems had before had been addressed by them.
anyway, each to their own, i have no problems with whiteline so far, and they have been more than good to me and most of my friends/customers
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
G'day everyone,
Forgive the direct intrusion but as the area of sales and promotion is my responsibility, I thought it better that I address the issue of not supporting the RX8 nationals.
timbo, I'm told by Wojtek that he advised that he had not heard back from me and that is true. Quite frankly, I forgot all about it as I have been in and out of the office over the previous 2 weeks. Wojtek was telling the truth that he hadn't heard, but in my defence, neither did he remind me.
I realise this doesn't help the RX8 community and its probably too late but we do have a system whereby we provide Whiteline product gift vouchers to support these sorts of events. We have to follow this path as we simply can't participate in all the various meetings we are invited to all around the country. However, we still want to be a part of these communities if they invite us so we devised the product gift voucher scheme. If you do choose to invite us again in the future, we would be happy to participate on this basis.
For the sake of background info, the Whiteline sales and marketing department consists of 1 1/2 people. Its my full time job, (along with overseeing all R & D and product development) and I have half of one other person. Being a manufacturer, that's generally all we need as the vast majority of our business is done through major distributors, both here and overseas. At times, we co-ordinate with one of our distributors to represent us and themselves and this is possible for the future. Though Canberra is pretty close to us, I do try to give my family priority on weekends if possible and that makes it doubly hard to attend these sorts of events.
Anyway, my sincere apologies for any misunderstanding and what may have appeared to have been a "snub" to the RX8 community. It was not intended that way. For what its worth, we haven't supported the EVO VIII or WRX get togethers either.
EZZY, thanks for your positive comments. We are very pleased with our motorsport successes of late but we are concerned with making sure that we are not seen as an EVO, WRX or RX8 supplier but as a total performance suspension solutions manufacturer. More importantly, we need to stay humble and focused on what's most important, our customer. Frankly, I would prefer to be told when we might appear too important or too busy for some as that is not our intention and feedback is the only way to stay in touch with reality.
ILIV48, all our RX8 swaybars have included the clamps from the time that the RX8 community brought it to our attention.
For those that may not be entirely satisfied with their current Whiteline swaybars and overall customer service experience, we would be more than happy to refund your money so you can choose an alternate product.
Regards
Jim
Whiteline Automotive
Forgive the direct intrusion but as the area of sales and promotion is my responsibility, I thought it better that I address the issue of not supporting the RX8 nationals.
timbo, I'm told by Wojtek that he advised that he had not heard back from me and that is true. Quite frankly, I forgot all about it as I have been in and out of the office over the previous 2 weeks. Wojtek was telling the truth that he hadn't heard, but in my defence, neither did he remind me.
I realise this doesn't help the RX8 community and its probably too late but we do have a system whereby we provide Whiteline product gift vouchers to support these sorts of events. We have to follow this path as we simply can't participate in all the various meetings we are invited to all around the country. However, we still want to be a part of these communities if they invite us so we devised the product gift voucher scheme. If you do choose to invite us again in the future, we would be happy to participate on this basis.
For the sake of background info, the Whiteline sales and marketing department consists of 1 1/2 people. Its my full time job, (along with overseeing all R & D and product development) and I have half of one other person. Being a manufacturer, that's generally all we need as the vast majority of our business is done through major distributors, both here and overseas. At times, we co-ordinate with one of our distributors to represent us and themselves and this is possible for the future. Though Canberra is pretty close to us, I do try to give my family priority on weekends if possible and that makes it doubly hard to attend these sorts of events.
Anyway, my sincere apologies for any misunderstanding and what may have appeared to have been a "snub" to the RX8 community. It was not intended that way. For what its worth, we haven't supported the EVO VIII or WRX get togethers either.
EZZY, thanks for your positive comments. We are very pleased with our motorsport successes of late but we are concerned with making sure that we are not seen as an EVO, WRX or RX8 supplier but as a total performance suspension solutions manufacturer. More importantly, we need to stay humble and focused on what's most important, our customer. Frankly, I would prefer to be told when we might appear too important or too busy for some as that is not our intention and feedback is the only way to stay in touch with reality.
ILIV48, all our RX8 swaybars have included the clamps from the time that the RX8 community brought it to our attention.
For those that may not be entirely satisfied with their current Whiteline swaybars and overall customer service experience, we would be more than happy to refund your money so you can choose an alternate product.
Regards
Jim
Whiteline Automotive
Thread Starter
Shootin' from the hip
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Below is the response I got from Whiteline after asking about price and availability:
Thank you for your interest in Whiteline sway bars.
As of 1st July 2005 we ceased offering discounts to car club members, in an attempt to minimise direct sales with retail customers, in order to push all sales out through our distributors, allowing us to concentrate on being a manufacturer and reducing production times.
With this being the case you would be best to contact one of them for pricing.
As all sway bars are made to order, we have a production turn around time of 3-4 working days on all sway bar orders.
You can purchase online from our secured webstore at www.whiteline.com.au/store or from any Autobarn, Burson, Repco and Coventry stores. Alternatively you can purchase from any of our distributors as listed on the website at www.whiteline.com.au .
Regards
Wayne Cunningham
They were formerly offering a discount to RENEW members but no longer apparently.
Thank you for your interest in Whiteline sway bars.
As of 1st July 2005 we ceased offering discounts to car club members, in an attempt to minimise direct sales with retail customers, in order to push all sales out through our distributors, allowing us to concentrate on being a manufacturer and reducing production times.
With this being the case you would be best to contact one of them for pricing.
As all sway bars are made to order, we have a production turn around time of 3-4 working days on all sway bar orders.
You can purchase online from our secured webstore at www.whiteline.com.au/store or from any Autobarn, Burson, Repco and Coventry stores. Alternatively you can purchase from any of our distributors as listed on the website at www.whiteline.com.au .
Regards
Wayne Cunningham
They were formerly offering a discount to RENEW members but no longer apparently.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Hi everyone,
Just to clarify Wayne's email....
Whiteline still offers retail sales direct from the factory but only at our published retail price and have ask our dealers to work with car clubs etc on possible special pricing.
timbo, please contact me directly if there's still an opportunity for is with the upcomming event.
Best
Jim Gurieff
Whiteline
jimg@whiteline.com.au
Just to clarify Wayne's email....
Whiteline still offers retail sales direct from the factory but only at our published retail price and have ask our dealers to work with car clubs etc on possible special pricing.
timbo, please contact me directly if there's still an opportunity for is with the upcomming event.
Best
Jim Gurieff
Whiteline
jimg@whiteline.com.au
rock-->o<--hard place
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
From: Canberra, AUSTRALIA
Well, Jim is as good as his word, and that's a great thing for a car mod supplier.
Whiteline has very generously donated some gift vouchers for Whiteline gear as sponsorship for the Nats. That they follow these forums and aren't afraid to step in and talk the talk, especially when they had an inital problem, is great stuff.
Big bouquets to Whiteline
Whiteline has very generously donated some gift vouchers for Whiteline gear as sponsorship for the Nats. That they follow these forums and aren't afraid to step in and talk the talk, especially when they had an inital problem, is great stuff.
Big bouquets to Whiteline
Thread Starter
Shootin' from the hip
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Okay, the mod demon has beaten up the sensible angel whispering into my other ear :p and I've taken the plunge and ordered a set of Whiteline adjustable sways for my 8. Should take delivery either tomorrow arvo or first thing Thursday morning so the race is on to have them fitted for the Nats. 
:D
Although the default option is to have my SM fit them, can anyone recommend somewhere on the north side who has fitted their Whitelines or similar sways and can perform a wheel alignment??
:D Although the default option is to have my SM fit them, can anyone recommend somewhere on the north side who has fitted their Whitelines or similar sways and can perform a wheel alignment??
