Nismo Sway Bars Installed.. Mini review..

Diversion · 07-11-2009, 11:40 AM

Since I had the entire exhaust off the car and up on a lift, thought it would be a perfect time to install my Nismo sway bars.

I bought them not knowing exactly how much thicker (if at all) they were over the stock sways.. The only thing I got with the bars was a hard to read installation guide, but luckily it did specify the bar sizes. I've unfortunately misplaced or accidentally trashed the document but i'm pretty sure it said the front bar was 27.5mm and the rear was 25.2mm. I'm assuming they are hardly thicker than the stock sways because they didn't include new bushings (read, *no* urethane as I hoped for). After having both the stock sways off the car and just holding them compared to the new Nismos, they were definately a bit heavier, but my eyes could not detect a variation in diameter between the two. If anything, they are probably made of a heavier gauge of steel or something.

Does anybody know what the stock sway sizes are? Looking at the Hotchkis sway bar set.. they are substantially thicker than the Nismo at 25mm front and 27mm rears. Wow.

Driving impressions: Good.. Definately a mild upgrade, car feels like it has more turn in than it did before but nothing outrageously different that I can notice.

antennahead · 07-11-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diversion

Since I had the entire exhaust off the car and up on a lift, thought it would be a perfect time to install my Nismo sway bars.

I bought them not knowing exactly how much thicker (if at all) they were over the stock sways.. The only thing I got with the bars was a hard to read installation guide, but luckily it did specify the bar sizes. I've unfortunately misplaced or accidentally trashed the document but i'm pretty sure it said the front bar was 27.5mm and the rear was 25.2mm. I'm assuming they are hardly thicker than the stock sways because they didn't include new bushings (read, *no* urethane as I hoped for). After having both the stock sways off the car and just holding them compared to the new Nismos, they were definately a bit heavier, but my eyes could not detect a variation in diameter between the two. If anything, they are probably made of a heavier gauge of steel or something.

Does anybody know what the stock sway sizes are? Looking at the Hotchkis sway bar set.. they are substantially thicker than the Nismo at 25mm front and 27mm rears. Wow.

Driving impressions: Good.. Definately a mild upgrade, car feels like it has more turn in than it did before but nothing outrageously different that I can notice.

I think even though they are the same diameter, they are a thicker sidewall, why they feel heavier. Did they improve body roll noticably?

John

Diversion · 07-11-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antennahead

I think even though they are the same diameter, they are a thicker sidewall, why they feel heavier. Did they improve body roll noticably?

John

It's a hard thing for me to judge on the wide turns I usually take.. I'm sure you'd see a bigger difference when making lots of consequetive turns from lefts to rights, and vice versa. But on my one way turns, I always felt the car felt pretty flat stock! The "sidewall" area you're talking about does look beefier on the Nismos, you can see a 2-piece ply on the stock ones, the Nismo bars are solid.

antennahead · 07-11-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diversion

It's a hard thing for me to judge on the wide turns I usually take.. I'm sure you'd see a bigger difference when making lots of consequetive turns from lefts to rights, and vice versa. But on my one way turns, I always felt the car felt pretty flat stock! The "sidewall" area you're talking about does look beefier on the Nismos, you can see a 2-piece ply on the stock ones, the Nismo bars are solid.

I always felt for stock the car was a great handling sports car, it just has a little too much body roll for me personally. I am thinking about adding the Stillen sways, they have a good price on them right now. Thanks for the update on the Nismo sways!

John

Minicobra1 · 07-11-2009, 12:37 PM

After installing the Hotchkis bars there is a noticeable difference in body roll, I'm getting so much more traction that the traction control kicks in much later allowing me to exit corners much quicker. Ride is slightly stiffer when hitting larger bumps, but I think most people wouldn't notice much difference.

antennahead · 07-11-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minicobra1

After installing the Hotchkis bars there is a noticeable difference in body roll, I'm getting so much more traction that the traction control kicks in much later allowing me to exit corners much quicker. Ride is slightly stiffer when hitting larger bumps, but I think most people wouldn't notice much difference.

Mini, how would you rate the Hotchkis versus the Stillen's? Any experience with the Stillen sways?

John

Diversion · 07-11-2009, 02:06 PM

After posting this thread I had to go get spirited with my car and it's definately flatter in the turns with the Nismo bars..

I would say you can't go wrong with any brand of sway bar, they will get your car flatter in the turns.

I will point out that going with adjustable sway bars can be a bad thing as people tend to mislead others saying stiffer = best. My experiences is that I found better performance gains with static (non-adjustable) sway bars than with the adjustable. I've encountered a ton of understeer on stiffer sway bar setups and on other cars, tons of oversteer with a messed up sway bar set up.

Diversion · 07-12-2009, 02:53 PM

I took my car on this large sweeping turn a lot faster today to see how flat I would be through it.. and wow, big difference from stock. Sounds like all the sway options are probably worth it.

RCZ · 07-12-2009, 09:42 PM

^ agreed. I think I'm going to go with the hotchkis for the adjustable rear. What about understeer guys? Anything on that?

nightfire · 07-20-2009, 09:47 AM

Has anyone noticed any negative effects on the Z with aftermarket swaybars (besides increased ride rigidity that is)? I'm just wondering because I know for a Mk IV jetta (after much trial and error in the community) it's actually more beneficial to totally take out the front sway bar when coilovers or much stiffer/lower suspension is put on. The car overall feels better and it actually helps with turn in response and mid corner grip. I know it's comparing apples to oranges but I have little to no experience with other cars and swaybars so I just thought I'd ask.

Modshack · 07-20-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightfire

Has anyone noticed any negative effects on the Z with aftermarket swaybars (besides increased ride rigidity that is)? I'm just wondering because I know for a Mk IV jetta (after much trial and error in the community) it's actually more beneficial to totally take out the front sway bar when coilovers or much stiffer/lower suspension is put on. The car overall feels better and it actually helps with turn in response and mid corner grip. I know it's comparing apples to oranges but I have little to no experience with other cars and swaybars so I just thought I'd ask.

A MK4 Jetta is a completely different chassis situation. Front wheel drive and front weight bias has completely different requirements. I have extensive experience with this chassis on the Audi TT and trust me, other than AutoX stuff, removing the front bar is not the best for precise handling. It is better to reduce understeer by Adding a rear bar (which it does not have stock). Bars reduce body roll. Taking the front one off a MK4 chassis only works with lowered and stiffer springs to control the roll.

The Z, being rear wheel drive with a better weight balance front to rear requires bars on both ends for proper balance of the chassis. We do not have a front heavy understeer problem with this car. It is already well balanced and relatively neutral. The Stillen's (or Nismos, or Hotchkiss) just make a good thing better.

nightfire · 07-20-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

A MK4 Jetta is a completely different chassis situation. Front wheel drive and front weight bias has completely different requirements. I have extensive experience with this chassis on the Audi TT and trust me, other than AutoX stuff, removing the front bar is not the best for precise handling. It is better to reduce understeer by Adding a rear bar (which it does not have stock). Bars reduce body roll. Taking the front one off a MK4 chassis only works with lowered and stiffer springs to control the roll.

The Z, being rear wheel drive with a better weight balance front to rear requires bars on both ends for proper balance of the chassis. We do not have a front heavy understeer problem with this car. It is already well balanced and relatively neutral. The Stillen's (or Nismos, or Hotchkiss) just make a good thing better.

Ok thanks for the info. Yeah as I said I've only had experience with mk IV jettas when it comes to sway bars and yes I meant mostly for auto cross. I knew it's a totally different beast (RWD vs FWD, totally different chassis, meant to be an everyday car vs meant to be a sports car from the factory, etc.) Good to know sway bars add some positive stiffing to the Z's chassis.

07-11-2009, 11:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
Diversion Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 393 Drives: 09 370Z Silver/Persi Rep Power: 284	Nismo Sway Bars Installed.. Mini review.. Since I had the entire exhaust off the car and up on a lift, thought it would be a perfect time to install my Nismo sway bars. I bought them not knowing exactly how much thicker (if at all) they were over the stock sways.. The only thing I got with the bars was a hard to read installation guide, but luckily it did specify the bar sizes. I've unfortunately misplaced or accidentally trashed the document but i'm pretty sure it said the front bar was 27.5mm and the rear was 25.2mm. I'm assuming they are hardly thicker than the stock sways because they didn't include new bushings (read, no urethane as I hoped for). After having both the stock sways off the car and just holding them compared to the new Nismos, they were definately a bit heavier, but my eyes could not detect a variation in diameter between the two. If anything, they are probably made of a heavier gauge of steel or something. Does anybody know what the stock sway sizes are? Looking at the Hotchkis sway bar set.. they are substantially thicker than the Nismo at 25mm front and 27mm rears. Wow. Driving impressions: Good.. Definately a mild upgrade, car feels like it has more turn in than it did before but nothing outrageously different that I can notice.

07-11-2009, 12:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Minicobra1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Orange County, CA. Posts: 1,205 Drives: 370Z Tour, Spt, 6mt Rep Power: 645	After installing the Hotchkis bars there is a noticeable difference in body roll, I'm getting so much more traction that the traction control kicks in much later allowing me to exit corners much quicker. Ride is slightly stiffer when hitting larger bumps, but I think most people wouldn't notice much difference. __________________ 370z Tour\| Spt Pack\|Navi\|BERK CBE\|Berk HFC's\| Eibach Springs\| Hotchkis Sway Bars\|SPC Camber Arms\|15mm Ichiba Wheel Spacers\| 19"Factory Nismo Wheels-Matt Black\|Stop Tech Rotors\|TWM Shifter\|3M Tint\|Black Fangs\|Black Rear Valance\|JDM Fog Light\| MY BAND-www.myspace.com/petroleum

07-12-2009, 02:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
Diversion Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 393 Drives: 09 370Z Silver/Persi Rep Power: 284	I took my car on this large sweeping turn a lot faster today to see how flat I would be through it.. and wow, big difference from stock. Sounds like all the sway options are probably worth it. __________________ 09 370Z Touring + Sport + Nav (Status Elite Intakes) (Berk HFCs) (Invidia Q300 CBE) (Nismo Swaybars) 99 Civic Si (Daily Driver, completely unmolested stock rarity)

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07-11-2009, 02:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
Diversion Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 393 Drives: 09 370Z Silver/Persi Rep Power: 284	After posting this thread I had to go get spirited with my car and it's definately flatter in the turns with the Nismo bars.. I would say you can't go wrong with any brand of sway bar, they will get your car flatter in the turns. I will point out that going with adjustable sway bars can be a bad thing as people tend to mislead others saying stiffer = best. My experiences is that I found better performance gains with static (non-adjustable) sway bars than with the adjustable. I've encountered a ton of understeer on stiffer sway bar setups and on other cars, tons of oversteer with a messed up sway bar set up.

07-12-2009, 09:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	^ agreed. I think I'm going to go with the hotchkis for the adjustable rear. What about understeer guys? Anything on that?

07-20-2009, 09:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
nightfire Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Posts: 178 Drives: Mk IV Jetta turbo Rep Power: 267	Has anyone noticed any negative effects on the Z with aftermarket swaybars (besides increased ride rigidity that is)? I'm just wondering because I know for a Mk IV jetta (after much trial and error in the community) it's actually more beneficial to totally take out the front sway bar when coilovers or much stiffer/lower suspension is put on. The car overall feels better and it actually helps with turn in response and mid corner grip. I know it's comparing apples to oranges but I have little to no experience with other cars and swaybars so I just thought I'd ask.