Sway Bars For 2002?!?
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From: Monterey
Sway Bars For 2002?!?
I'm looking for suggestions on whether I should replace my front and/or rear sway bars. I'm putting on a set of Buddy Club coilovers and plan on lowering the car a max of 1 inch. I'm running Toyo Ra-1's on stock rims.
Since the 2002 is so different from the 2000 & 2001 is there anyone out there with experience in this department? Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated!
Since the 2002 is so different from the 2000 & 2001 is there anyone out there with experience in this department? Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated!
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Davie, FL
It would help to know what your intend to do with the car. Street only? Autocross? Track days? Some mix of these activities?
From the little that I know about this the 2002 models have stiffer springs and softer swaybars, but I couldn't quote exact differences. Besides, you've replaced the stock springs with your coilovers, so it is also necessary to know your new spring rates in order to make a suggestion.
From the little that I know about this the 2002 models have stiffer springs and softer swaybars, but I couldn't quote exact differences. Besides, you've replaced the stock springs with your coilovers, so it is also necessary to know your new spring rates in order to make a suggestion.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Bellevue, WA
Well actually there is a bit of deception at play here. Let me explain.
The stock suspension assumes a roughly ~20% stagger in section width with respect to the front and rear tires. Now here is where it gets tricky. The OEM-issue (stock) tires are labeled with 205 front and 225 rear section widths. BUT! The OEM S02 is a non-conforming tire. Specifically the tread spacing is not identical to the rest of the product line. Sounds crazy but take a moment to check out the spacing between the treads on your stock tires. The spacing on the rears is really tight, and the fronts appear to be canyons. It was a cheater method to manipulate the section widths. This is why when you order replacement S02's, you should request the "W-Rated" tires in the stock sizes.
The end result is that the stock tires behave slightly differently for their size. The fronts have a smaller actual contact patch and the rear a larger relative contact patch for their respective tire sizes. Theoretically you are running 200's in the front and 235's in the rear. Again, theoretically.
One way to compensate for tightening the bias is running a stiffer front bar, but you could also disconnect one end/remove the rear sway bar. I recommend the former for the tire sizes you've purchased. Doing a search on tire sizes will net a wealth of debate on the subject. You'll probably find explainations from folks with a few more brain cells than I have on the matter too.
On a side note: Holy cow!?! When did Tire Rack start shipping Toyo RA1's?
The stock suspension assumes a roughly ~20% stagger in section width with respect to the front and rear tires. Now here is where it gets tricky. The OEM-issue (stock) tires are labeled with 205 front and 225 rear section widths. BUT! The OEM S02 is a non-conforming tire. Specifically the tread spacing is not identical to the rest of the product line. Sounds crazy but take a moment to check out the spacing between the treads on your stock tires. The spacing on the rears is really tight, and the fronts appear to be canyons. It was a cheater method to manipulate the section widths. This is why when you order replacement S02's, you should request the "W-Rated" tires in the stock sizes.
The end result is that the stock tires behave slightly differently for their size. The fronts have a smaller actual contact patch and the rear a larger relative contact patch for their respective tire sizes. Theoretically you are running 200's in the front and 235's in the rear. Again, theoretically.
One way to compensate for tightening the bias is running a stiffer front bar, but you could also disconnect one end/remove the rear sway bar. I recommend the former for the tire sizes you've purchased. Doing a search on tire sizes will net a wealth of debate on the subject. You'll probably find explainations from folks with a few more brain cells than I have on the matter too.
On a side note: Holy cow!?! When did Tire Rack start shipping Toyo RA1's?
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Monterey
O.k., O.k. I'm having MAJOR Brain Fart day. 5 12 hr shifts in a row.
I ordered the RA-1's through 1010tires.com. Was I wrong in ordering the stock replacement sizes?
And thanks for your responses!!
I ordered the RA-1's through 1010tires.com. Was I wrong in ordering the stock replacement sizes?
And thanks for your responses!!
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Boulder
225 fronts, 245 rears with an improved swaybar is the conventional wisdom for track and fast road handling, at least with pre '02's.
Since you've dumped the stock springs and are replacing the sway bar, the '02 retuning should have no residual effect except possibly alignment.
Many people advocate a slightly softer spring rate up front than in the rear, and in general somewhat softer rates than the buddy clubs, so your best bet might be something like the Comptech adjustable bar and playing with it until you get the feel you are looking for.
As a side note, Vilven tires seems to have the best prices on Toyo R-compounds... 1-800-251-0017
Since you've dumped the stock springs and are replacing the sway bar, the '02 retuning should have no residual effect except possibly alignment.
Many people advocate a slightly softer spring rate up front than in the rear, and in general somewhat softer rates than the buddy clubs, so your best bet might be something like the Comptech adjustable bar and playing with it until you get the feel you are looking for.
As a side note, Vilven tires seems to have the best prices on Toyo R-compounds... 1-800-251-0017