What years of Miata front sway bars fit the S2000 in the rear? I searched and couldn't find an answer. Thanks in advance.

Rob

 

06 base, non hardtop

 

06 and newer. I run a modified hardtop with a stiffer hole. Works great!

 

Cool, thanks guys.

I talked to Mike Collins, the head of Meathead Racing at Summit Point and he has at least one on hand. We're negotiating price right now. He may have more if anyone in the Mid-Atlantic area wants one.

 

So the mounts are mainly for extra stiffness? ie would adjusting the bar stiffer give a similar effect?
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The major reason for the BB mounts was because of the mushrooming effect that was occuring on the poly-bushing/thin steel mounts that were previously used in conjunction with the monster bar. I went through a couple of sets of mounts myself. The mounts would "add stiffness" by eliminating any slop that would get worse over time in the mounts, though it really isn't effecting the "stiffness" of the sway bar. The bar itself functions (or is intended to function) by resisting the movement of the control arm in torsion/twisting only. When you have slop in the mounts, the bar is allowed to move both in the axial direction and radial direction. That creates alot of variation in the amount loading that actually gets transmitted to each wheel. The spherical bearing setup eliminates any slop and lets the bar work in torsion only.

Nick
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How common is the mushrooming problem? I've never experienced it. The only issue I had was with the shitty mounts flexing over time and eventually breaking. Since switching back to OEM mounts I've had no issues and the bushings are staying exactly where they ought to. Guess that's why I assumed the only benefit to BB mounts was the elimination of compliance.

 

So the mounts are mainly for extra stiffness? ie would adjusting the bar stiffer give a similar effect?
[/quote]

The major reason for the BB mounts was because of the mushrooming effect that was occuring on the poly-bushing/thin steel mounts that were previously used in conjunction with the monster bar. I went through a couple of sets of mounts myself. The mounts would "add stiffness" by eliminating any slop that would get worse over time in the mounts, though it really isn't effecting the "stiffness" of the sway bar. The bar itself functions (or is intended to function) by resisting the movement of the control arm in torsion/twisting only. When you have slop in the mounts, the bar is allowed to move both in the axial direction and radial direction. That creates alot of variation in the amount loading that actually gets transmitted to each wheel. The spherical bearing setup eliminates any slop and lets the bar work in torsion only.

Nick
[/quote]

How common is the mushrooming problem? I've never experienced it. The only issue I had was with the shitty mounts flexing over time and eventually breaking. Since switching back to OEM mounts I've had no issues and the bushings are staying exactly where they ought to. Guess that's why I assumed the only benefit to BB mounts was the elimination of compliance.
[/quote]

You're just not driving it hard enough.

Were talking about the same thing Jeff. The standard issue mounts flex, bow out "or "mushroom out" as I like to call it and allow for a ton of wobbling. It's common enough, but your mileage may vary... Both sets of my mounts degraded over time in the same fashion. The price you pay for a ridiculously big swaybar? Guess so...

It's possible to run OEM mounts? How does the bar fit in them?

 

Yes, simply bolt them on over the bushing. I carry a pair as backup. Both of Jeff's mounts broke at the spring Lincoln Tour. He used the OEMs to replace the standard Gendron mounts.

-Marc

 

Ahh, good to know. They always looked too small to fit the big gendron bar, but I never tried. I'll keep the OEM mounts as a backup! (though those BB mounts aren't going anywhere)

 

I just got my bearing mounts for my front bar and the new Gendron rear sway bar installed this weekend. I can't wait to hit some curves to see where I need to adjust my dampers. It's getting soooo close to being ready. Just the EMU and tune is left... then time to play!

BTW, the rear bar mount holes did not line up with my 2002 and had to drill out the holes to make it work. I know I'm one of the original first 5, so I expected some tweaks. Anyone else have this issue? However, once we got through that, it really looks like a top quality mod.

-Dave

 

I'm joining the ranks of the smaller rear bar folk! I just had a lengthy conversation with Mr Gendron and it took me in a different direction than I expected.

I originally intended to order the Monster Bar as an upgrade from my 1.25"x0.25". Since I'm currently running my bar at 6/6, I wanted to get the 1.375"x0.25" bar so I could set it at 3 or 4 (roughly equal to my current bar) and have room to go softer or stiffer (mostly stiffer). My concern has always been overloading the front tires, though, and Bill expressed great success with softening the rear from this point.

I've been successfully running the MY06 rear bar now for two years. I didn't like the feel of the car without the rear bar and have been skeptical that the MX-5 bar was enough. I went with Gendron's 1"x0.095" rear kit instead (ouch!). This new rear bar should give me an adjustment range from a touch stiffer than the MX-5 bar to a touch softer than the MY06 bar.

Based upon all the photos I've seen, my car rolls a lot, even with the relatively stiff setup I run, and I've been hesitant to soften it up. At the same time I'm excited to try a softer rear to see if I can throttle through more of the corner.