Noob - 17mm WRX rear bar on a GC8 OBS....help!

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Dec 20, 2003 | 05:33 PM

jac

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Noob - 17mm WRX rear bar on a GC8 OBS....help!

Hi, new to scoobies, but not to good handling. My new-to-me 97 OBS is the winter car to my turbo miata. I have been searching for the answer to this, but finding little OBS info....Please excuse me if this is common knowledge.

That being said, the OBS just does not handle like a miata (wow...really?!?). I see that many folks have put the larger 17mm rear bar from the WRX wagon into the GC8 cars. I am not looking for a slotcar, I just don't want the car to feel as nose-heavy as it does. Reading the archives, i don't think i need and adj. one, or even the 20mm bar. I really don't ever want to worry about any oversteer or anything (my wife drives the car too....no suprises!) It needs to say super streetable.

I would like to do this, but i need to know what i need to replace/buy. Of course, i need the bigger bar, but do i need the bushings (i think so) & the drop links (i have no idea). Also, for folks who are selling/have sold them, do you sell the bushings & links with the bar? Ball park price for these?

TIA!

-jac

Dec 20, 2003 | 09:01 PM

platypus

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From: GST Motorsports - Rally Division

Car Info: dangerous with a wrench

Proabably a good place to start is by either PM'ing Hoche on this board, or hit up MPJ.

Dec 21, 2003 | 05:48 AM

jac

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will do....thank you!

Dec 22, 2003 | 02:01 AM

Kevin M

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From: Reno, NV

Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red

Re: Noob - 17mm WRX rear bar on a GC8 OBS....help!

Quote:

Originally posted by jac
I would like to do this, but i need to know what i need to replace/buy. Of course, i need the bigger bar, but do i need the bushings (i think so) & the drop links (i have no idea). Also, for folks who are selling/have sold them, do you sell the bushings & links with the bar? Ball park price for these?

TIA!

-jac

You do need the bushings, and people selling a sway bar shouyld give you theirs. I recommend endlinks with sway bars as a way of changing the character of your car's handling, but your stock endlinks will work just fine. A 17mm sway bar is worth about $50 or so, same as a 20mm. Brand new 18mm bars are available for about $80.

Dec 22, 2003 | 08:06 AM

jac

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Thanks BS, I just finished up a deal for one. Sure, the solid links would give it more...but for this car, i am not seeing the ROI on that! thanks everyone!

-jac

Dec 22, 2003 | 04:55 PM

BongMan

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From: Fremont

Car Info: '01 RS BRP

If you are concerned with getting a somewhat neutral feel, with no oversteer, then get a 18mm. (that's under the assumption that the stock OBS has a 19mm up front)

However, if you think a little/slight oversteer is not a bad idea then get a 20mm rear. I hope this helps.

Dec 23, 2003 | 10:30 AM

Kevin M

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Posts: 18,369

From: Reno, NV

Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red

Neutral steering does not necessarily mean that the bars are the same size. I have 19f/20r and I would still say my car understeers some, and that is with a suspension that has more increase in rear stiffness than in front.