View Poll Results: What front sway bar do you use?
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STR Prep - Sway Bars
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Having had personal experience with the Gendron bar, I wanted to avoid running a big bar with heim joint endlinks, so I started with the Eibach FSB (I used it on my MX5 STR, and it worked beautifully, so I went for it) Let's just say the balance of my car wasn't great, quick, but not fast, and I needed to make a big change, or get beaten. 1 ride in Oinojo's (Lugod) S2000, with the Ankeny dual blade, changed my mind. I ordered a dual blade the next day, and Guy had it built in a couple of days, and brought it to me at the next event (El Toro PCA), then helped me install it, then helped me with set-up tips during the day. It is a true work of art, top quality parts, and it went right in. Props to Guy for great service. He even said if I hated it, take the bar out, and give it back to him, no cost.
Current specs:
2008 base S2000
800/700 springs
Penske 8300's built by PSI, w/stock top hats
Ankeny 1 3/8" dual blade FSB
Stock 08 rear bar
Camber F 2.5 0 toe, R 2.5 3/16 total toe-in
PLM header
Berk 70mm cat
T1R 70mm EM single stainless exhaust
K & N Intake kit
Hondata with canned Toda flash, with Gernby soft rev limiter, 4100 Vtech kick in point, 8500 redline.
17x9" TSW Nurburgring 63mm w/Dunlop Star Specs
Everything else totally stock.
Daily driver
Review of the dual blade:
Cost: $960 with CA sales tax.
Install was a breeze, did it at the event in under an hour. Fitment is perfect, no boot issues. Endlinks went right in, no fussing or cussing. Initial settings for first runs were with 1 blade at 90 and 1 at 0, full stiff and full soft. I made my first 4 runs, and was blown away by the difference, my times were slow, but that was me trying to re-learn how to drive the car. She was now putting power down, but pushing in the slower sweepers. Second session, I lowered the rear 2 turns on the collars, dropped a bunch of time, but had some push in the sweepers. After run 5, I softened the front bar an 1/8th of a turn, with my shakey, adrenaline pumping, hands, I completed the adjustment in under 30 seconds, on the ground, in grid. I thought I was making a subtle change to the car, but man, what a difference. She went around sweepers so much better, no push at all. My times dropped, and my confidence in the car skyrocketed. I was happy with the sweeper balance, but was a bit loose in transition, after adding more compression to the front shocks I was able to tame the rear in the slaloms, and kept the balance in the sweepers. I ended up quicker than some serious STR fire power, and was the first time I was back in the fight since selling my STR MX5.
The big test will happen in 2 weeks, a 2 day Qualcomm west lot event in San Diego. As people know, this lot is bumpy, and very slippery. My MX5 was magic on this lot, and was very fast. So the big question will be, can this bar tame the rear in SD? After the event, I will update again. But my confidence is much higher now, and now I have a quick, easy, way of adjusting the balance of the car, in grid.
Money well spent, I regret not doing it sooner.
Jeff
Current specs:
2008 base S2000
800/700 springs
Penske 8300's built by PSI, w/stock top hats
Ankeny 1 3/8" dual blade FSB
Stock 08 rear bar
Camber F 2.5 0 toe, R 2.5 3/16 total toe-in
PLM header
Berk 70mm cat
T1R 70mm EM single stainless exhaust
K & N Intake kit
Hondata with canned Toda flash, with Gernby soft rev limiter, 4100 Vtech kick in point, 8500 redline.
17x9" TSW Nurburgring 63mm w/Dunlop Star Specs
Everything else totally stock.
Daily driver
Review of the dual blade:
Cost: $960 with CA sales tax.
Install was a breeze, did it at the event in under an hour. Fitment is perfect, no boot issues. Endlinks went right in, no fussing or cussing. Initial settings for first runs were with 1 blade at 90 and 1 at 0, full stiff and full soft. I made my first 4 runs, and was blown away by the difference, my times were slow, but that was me trying to re-learn how to drive the car. She was now putting power down, but pushing in the slower sweepers. Second session, I lowered the rear 2 turns on the collars, dropped a bunch of time, but had some push in the sweepers. After run 5, I softened the front bar an 1/8th of a turn, with my shakey, adrenaline pumping, hands, I completed the adjustment in under 30 seconds, on the ground, in grid. I thought I was making a subtle change to the car, but man, what a difference. She went around sweepers so much better, no push at all. My times dropped, and my confidence in the car skyrocketed. I was happy with the sweeper balance, but was a bit loose in transition, after adding more compression to the front shocks I was able to tame the rear in the slaloms, and kept the balance in the sweepers. I ended up quicker than some serious STR fire power, and was the first time I was back in the fight since selling my STR MX5.
The big test will happen in 2 weeks, a 2 day Qualcomm west lot event in San Diego. As people know, this lot is bumpy, and very slippery. My MX5 was magic on this lot, and was very fast. So the big question will be, can this bar tame the rear in SD? After the event, I will update again. But my confidence is much higher now, and now I have a quick, easy, way of adjusting the balance of the car, in grid.
Money well spent, I regret not doing it sooner.
Jeff
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,014
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA
Bump for Marc...
Obviously subjective, but could you describe the feel of each one and the difference between them, from your experience?
Originally Posted by sirbunz' timestamp='1328038381' post='21370231
my personal opinion (same as Jadrice) is that the Ankeny bar gives a "different" feel and/or feedback in the steering wheel.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 480
Likes: 3
I suspect the "feel problem" changes once you are able to change spring rates. I don't notice a feel difference with my dual blade compared to my saner I had with these 1000in lbs springs. From full soft to full stiff and everything in between works how it should. Soft is softer and firm is firmer.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 2
Bump for Marc...
Obviously subjective, but could you describe the feel of each one and the difference between them, from your experience?
Originally Posted by legend4life' timestamp='1328044588' post='21370647
[quote name='sirbunz' timestamp='1328038381' post='21370231']
my personal opinion (same as Jadrice) is that the Ankeny bar gives a "different" feel and/or feedback in the steering wheel.
my personal opinion (same as Jadrice) is that the Ankeny bar gives a "different" feel and/or feedback in the steering wheel.
Sorry, replied elsewhere. In short, The Ankeny feels like the front of the car "wonders" and has a slightly more detached feeling compared to the Gendron. The Gendron feels normal. There is nothing technical and just my opinion as stated before. Others seem to like it, but we may very well have different setups, driving styles, etc. I certainly ask a lot from the front end with my setup. Both brands are top notch quality from builders I have respect for.
-Marc
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 2
Considering picking up a Gendron FSB. Can one of you guys tell me the end-to-end length of the center section Bill uses so I can update my roll-stiffness calculator? Thanks.
EDIT: Nevermind, found the answer. 36" center section length.
EDIT: Nevermind, found the answer. 36" center section length.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by PedalFaster' timestamp='1329881124' post='21437712
Bump for Marc...
[quote name='legend4life' timestamp='1328044588' post='21370647']
[quote name='sirbunz' timestamp='1328038381' post='21370231']
my personal opinion (same as Jadrice) is that the Ankeny bar gives a "different" feel and/or feedback in the steering wheel.
[quote name='legend4life' timestamp='1328044588' post='21370647']
[quote name='sirbunz' timestamp='1328038381' post='21370231']
my personal opinion (same as Jadrice) is that the Ankeny bar gives a "different" feel and/or feedback in the steering wheel.
Sorry, replied elsewhere. In short, The Ankeny feels like the front of the car "wonders" and has a slightly more detached feeling compared to the Gendron. The Gendron feels normal. There is nothing technical and just my opinion as stated before. Others seem to like it, but we may very well have different setups, driving styles, etc. I certainly ask a lot from the front end with my setup. Both brands are top notch quality from builders I have respect for.
-Marc
[/quote]
Marc,
I am curious as to your experience with both bars, Blade vs. Gendron. Have you used both the A.R.E Blade bar and Gendron bar in STR trim, or was your experience with those 2 bars in stock trim (on Hoosiers)? My experience with the Gendron bar was with a stock S2000 on street tires, and I experienced what you are talking about, it didn't feel right, non-linear, but I never drove the car on Hoosiers.
Thank you.
Jeff
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by sirbunz' timestamp='1329966133' post='21441411
[quote name='PedalFaster' timestamp='1329881124' post='21437712']
Bump for Marc...
[quote name='legend4life' timestamp='1328044588' post='21370647']
[quote name='sirbunz' timestamp='1328038381' post='21370231']
my personal opinion (same as Jadrice) is that the Ankeny bar gives a "different" feel and/or feedback in the steering wheel.
Bump for Marc...
[quote name='legend4life' timestamp='1328044588' post='21370647']
[quote name='sirbunz' timestamp='1328038381' post='21370231']
my personal opinion (same as Jadrice) is that the Ankeny bar gives a "different" feel and/or feedback in the steering wheel.
Sorry, replied elsewhere. In short, The Ankeny feels like the front of the car "wonders" and has a slightly more detached feeling compared to the Gendron. The Gendron feels normal. There is nothing technical and just my opinion as stated before. Others seem to like it, but we may very well have different setups, driving styles, etc. I certainly ask a lot from the front end with my setup. Both brands are top notch quality from builders I have respect for.
-Marc
[/quote]
Marc,
I am curious as to your experience with both bars, Blade vs. Gendron. Have you used both the A.R.E Blade bar and Gendron bar in STR trim, or was your experience with those 2 bars in stock trim (on Hoosiers)? My experience with the Gendron bar was with a stock S2000 on street tires, and I experienced what you are talking about, it didn't feel right, non-linear, but I never drove the car on Hoosiers.
Thank you.
Jeff
[/quote]
My experience was with two CRs on Hoosiers (275x4) in stock class prep. I have only used the Gendron in STR on my car and driven other setups with Gendron, OEM, and Saner bars. I have no specific details other that I liked the feel of the Gendron better. It's really not much to go on and I certainly wouldn't base your decision on my experience. There are many variables I didn't record and data. I was simply helping someone prep their S2000. Stephen is going to test the Ankeny bar this season. I would like to read his impressions to see if they are similar to mine. Hopefully he will take some notes for comparison.
-Marc
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 480
Likes: 3
I can see the ankeny bar having a feel problem in stock class. Soft springs + soft blade probably enhance the vague feedback. Since I've never ran a blade bar in stock, I can't comment on it. However, I run 1000 lb front springs and don't experience any kind of vague feedback. My 1-3/8" bar probably plays a smaller part with the springs in comparison to stock. Stock relies entirely on the front swaybar for balance so a demand for a more linear swaybar is needed.
