Front sway bars for gravel TSD Rallys

[Dragonski]

I have a 2007 RS Wgn with swapped in WRX struts and WRX rear sway bar . I have been reading some of the forums on suspension set up and the one that got my attention was a guy running no front sway bar . I can believe that will turn in real good but not sure about the rest of the handling . We run some quick TSD rallys , no rally cross or stage rallys . Any comments from people running fast gravel rallys , has anyone tried that set up ???

[Rally OBXT]

I run my 2.5RS with no FSB. I have KYB AGX struts with STI springs. I DD the car, but it's really set up for Rally X.

[wolfman79]

I'd stay with the set-up you already have. Upgraded endlinks if you don't have them but otherwise just drive the car. I have yet to up/down grade any of my front sway bars. 20mm rear plus endlinks and bushings all around is all I've done with any of my cars (and they are all wagons too).

[drtofu]

I tried removing my FSBs during a rallycross and yes, it does increase turn-in but at the seeming expense of crisp turn-in. This was on sandy river silt dirt. I didn't see a big difference between my times with and without (might be my driving style), but I didn't like the looseness in front, so I reconnected it.

It's pretty easy to try out for yourself: Crawl under (no lifting needed) and disconnect a bolt (or two). Leave the FSB dangling (or zip-tied so it doesn't swing around) and give it a try. The grip in the front is a little better, but as you'd expect, it does feel like there's more roll in the front.

I'm in an 02 WRX wagon with a stock FSB, WRX sedan RSB, stock struts and springs. This gives me a really neutral setup (sounds like this is what you have, too?) It's very neutral normally, so personally, I'd suggest boosting the tire pressure in the rears first and see if that gets you the results you want rather than disconnecting that FSB. If that's not enough, then go the extra step to disconnect the FSB and see if you like it.

[409industries]

If you're running TSD and no rallycross / stage rally, then does it really matter if you have a FSB or not? I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, but it seems almost irrelevant unless your really throwing the car around to notice a difference in turn in, etc.

I'm currently running no FSB on my 01 RS and still haven't decided if its working for me or not. My 04 STi has a FSB and a stiff RSB, i really like the way it handles on hardpack dirt.

[I Like It Sideways]

Disconnecting a sway bar will encourage more independent suspension travel. Very good for the rough and bumpy stuff, and keeping all four planted for traction. It's also allows for more weight transfer, ie flicking the car around on the extremely low friction surfaces (ice and snow).

However, if you are on a fairly smooth road/surface, I'd keep the sway bars on. What kind of surfaces do you run on for the TSDs?

[Dragonski]

Thanks Sideways

We run 3 winter TSD's and they are all fast .. We also run 6 summer TSD's 5 of which are fairly smooth gravel ..

I think I will try taking off the front sway on the next rough gravel event and see . Would also be interesting to see the difference on snow and ice . .

Thanks for the feedback .

BC Rally guy

[AZP Installs]

If you're running TSD and no rallycross / stage rally, then does it really matter if you have a FSB or not? I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, but it seems almost irrelevant unless your really throwing the car around to notice a difference in turn in, etc.

I'm currently running no FSB on my 01 RS and still haven't decided if its working for me or not. My 04 STi has a FSB and a stiff RSB, i really like the way it handles on hardpack dirt.

This is what I was going to say. I've ran the Pine Barrens Express which is a "fast" TSD with my 2000 Isuzu Trooper and didn't have a problem.

-mike

[Vaughn Performance]

I understand running no FSB for wheel independence,but don't you think running without one will generate so much roll, you'll also be causing some geometry issues?

[drtofu]

My experience with detached FSB is that the car felt 'squishier' when turning, but had a touch more oversteer.

[vicali]

did you find this Jim?
http://jpmullan.com/blog/98/swaybar-front-removal-of-fwd
might be worth atest session, or we'll see how it works at the next TSD.

mike

[Dragonski]

Thanks and no I had not seen that .. The guy the wrote it has a rally title behind him so should know what he is talking about . Will have to go for a burn up one of the back roads and drop one end link and see what the difference is .

[Dragonski]

I talked to Pat Richard this weekend at Rocky Mountain Rally and they run NO sway bars in the winter . Most of the subies I looked under had sway bars for this gravel event . With good tires the traction on gravel well up there so you need the sways .