sway bar vs. springs vs. strut bars
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
sway bar vs. springs vs. strut bars
Ok, to my understanding, sway bars help to eliminate "body roll" and keep all four tires on the ground; strut bars add to chassis rigidity and prevent the wheel angle from changing relative to the other wheel; and springs of course control ride height and the firmess of shock absorption.
My question is: for a car that spends 80% of its time on the highway, which would you upgrade first? Most people would say springs, sway, strut (and maybe never strut) for a streetable daily driver, but I'm curious as to which upgrade would be most noticeable. My goals are a tighter, more "positive" steering feel and the ability to react quickly to steering input (i.e. dodging a chair that fell of some a$$hat's truck on the highway) rather than auto-x or climbing Pike's Peak. I may upgrade the steering rack bushings if I can find a mechanic who will do it for a reasonable price, but which suspension component should I attack first with this goal in mind?
My question is: for a car that spends 80% of its time on the highway, which would you upgrade first? Most people would say springs, sway, strut (and maybe never strut) for a streetable daily driver, but I'm curious as to which upgrade would be most noticeable. My goals are a tighter, more "positive" steering feel and the ability to react quickly to steering input (i.e. dodging a chair that fell of some a$$hat's truck on the highway) rather than auto-x or climbing Pike's Peak. I may upgrade the steering rack bushings if I can find a mechanic who will do it for a reasonable price, but which suspension component should I attack first with this goal in mind?
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What tires do you have? That is really number one.
If you do the rear anti-sway bar - you may decide you never need the others at all.
Then after the sway bar, probably an ALK and/or, springs - but springs that are too low may require new struts or Koni inserts. Unless it is for some combination of looks and moderately 'spirited' driving, getting springs is kinda a major step up. And I doubt you'd want them unless you had upgraded the tires and RSB anyway.
Strut bars would be for faily xtreme driving and maybe only noticeable improvement would be the one for the rear of the wagons.
Do independent searches for threads about the items you're interested in. Consider adding short shifter kits, bushing kits, front sway bar end links,etc. to the list. Also check www.nasioc.com and www.ultimatesubaru.net
If you do the rear anti-sway bar - you may decide you never need the others at all.
Then after the sway bar, probably an ALK and/or, springs - but springs that are too low may require new struts or Koni inserts. Unless it is for some combination of looks and moderately 'spirited' driving, getting springs is kinda a major step up. And I doubt you'd want them unless you had upgraded the tires and RSB anyway.
Strut bars would be for faily xtreme driving and maybe only noticeable improvement would be the one for the rear of the wagons.
Do independent searches for threads about the items you're interested in. Consider adding short shifter kits, bushing kits, front sway bar end links,etc. to the list. Also check www.nasioc.com and www.ultimatesubaru.net
Thread Starter
VIP Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
In about two weeks I am upgrading to 17" wheels (Kosei K1 TS) and Goodyear F1-DS tires. Yay tax refunds!
This alone plus the sway bar and steering rack might give me what I want, I suppose. Thanks for your input. Other opinions?
This alone plus the sway bar and steering rack might give me what I want, I suppose. Thanks for your input. Other opinions?
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