Opinions on Sway Bars

dcrew1x

I plan on purchasing some aftermarket sway bars for the 370z and I would like some opinions, experience, and input as to which one of the following would be the best buy:

1. Hotchkis
2. Stillen
3. Keep it Stock / OEM
4. Nismo
5. Cusco - Choose option 5 for Cusco

__________________

2009 PG 6MT Sports Stillen Gen3 CAI | Stillen CBE | AMS Short Shifter | Nismo Brace Kit

kdo2milger

good idea, in for results...

__________________

shabarivas

Sorry - what do you mean wait for cusco? they already have a set... Im just waiting on some funds to come through before I pull the trigger

shabarivas

New CUSCO pieces

You should add cusco to your poll so i can vote it

dcrew1x

Not sure how to edit the poll.

I edited the post though to reflect Option #5 as Cusco

__________________

2009 PG 6MT Sports Stillen Gen3 CAI | Stillen CBE | AMS Short Shifter | Nismo Brace Kit

alan93rsa

I used the Hotchkis bars/Eibach springs on my 370 at Mid-Ohio and had no complaints. Traded the car not long after that so no additional information.

__________________
16 Cayman GT4, Carmine Red, Buckets, PCCB etc.

B1nks

hate you for having a Porsche by the way. Why the change ?

JoeD

Then why have "Keep it Stock / OEM" as an option? That just counts as a wasted vote which could have gone towards one of the brands to help you form your opinion. If everyone on the forum who still has the OEM swaybars or has no plans to upgrade came in and voted...that would suck, wouldn't it?

I'll be getting the Cuscos when it comes time to upgrade. The Stillens don't seem to be that significant of an upgrade over stock, I havn't heard anything about NISMO swaybars for the Z34, and Hotchkis isn't even on the radar (strictly personal preference due to the brand, not performance).

dcrew1x

I wasn't trying to vote OEM I was trying to update the poll options but wasn't sure how to and ended up clicking on it to see if that would allow me to make a change since I hadn't voted yet myself.

Does anyone have the cuscos already installed?

Aside from that, Hotchkis seems to be the most popular at the moment and some DIY installation instructions / pics are already up. I am also leaning towards Hotckis myself but waiting for poll results to get a better idea or some thoughts / opinions.

__________________

2009 PG 6MT Sports Stillen Gen3 CAI | Stillen CBE | AMS Short Shifter | Nismo Brace Kit

kenchan

my thought is leave it stock.

especially these suspension bits, it's hard to just go by what
others say unless you are asking about craftsmanship/fitment/durability, etc.

in order to tune your suspenion to your car you have to buy it, install it on your car, and trial/error. swaybars can change the car's dynamics dramatically good and bad so you
can't really go by what others say or feel. it might work for them with their driving habits
and car, but might not work for you.

dcrew1x

Thanks for the input.

I don't plan on dropping the vehicle unless one day down the line I buy a full coilover system which is pretty costly for my current budget.

I do however plan on tracking the vehicle and doing some canyon runs.

I might be doing this trail pretty soon in particular:
Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC

This is also my DD so yeah, I'll have to take a lot into consideration. For now I'm just happy with the feedback I get from members and the current setup they own.

__________________

2009 PG 6MT Sports Stillen Gen3 CAI | Stillen CBE | AMS Short Shifter | Nismo Brace Kit

shabarivas

Not really Kenchan .... as long as the ratio of stiffness between the front and the back remain the same before and after you upgrade sway bars - all you will be changing is how much less the car rolls. What you say is true but more-so for coilovers etc... with sway bars you can add a little under-steer or add some over-steer by simply adjusting the relative stiffness between the front and rear -- and you can keep the dynamics the same as long as the stiffness ratio is kept close to stock...

kenchan

by changing how much less the car rolls puts more burden
on the tires and that opens up a whole new
discussion.

while keeping everything else constant, yep, the amount
of under/over steer can be tuned with the swaybar setup
but by how much depends on the structure and design of
the bar, how far the bolt holes are spread apart (setting),
etc.

it's easier to buy one and trial and error, imho.
because your steering/brake/throttle inputs can also
dramatically change how the car behaves under those
circumstances and you and i do not drive the car the
same or under the same driving conditions.

the trial and error also goes for coilovers by changing
spring rates/damp rates/height settings, etc. all changes
the way the car behaves...

so, it leads me back to the original post where i would
ask about the craftsmanship/fitment/durability aspecs
and play with the swaybar. i recommend you get the ones
with most setting holes and get adjustable endlinks to
do in-between settings. like mid on one side/soft on the
other end of the bar, etc.

dcrew1x

Update to my previous post:

looks like Stillen and Hotckis are dead even in popularity and preference.

__________________

2009 PG 6MT Sports Stillen Gen3 CAI | Stillen CBE | AMS Short Shifter | Nismo Brace Kit

kenchan

im currently running stillen on my G35C and they have been great the last 5yrs.

ive ran hotchikis bits on my previous car and it was good too...and
looking at how hotchikis has collars for the bushings, i think it's a
toss up.