Sway Bars

[Tooth]

I'm looking to get some sway bars for my F82 with Ohlins coilovers. Do you guys have any recommendations? Looks like Dinan and Afe are popular

Chris

[bracer]

hotchkiss are cheaper, same thickness

[aBMWfan]

I’ve been told swaybars don’t make a big difference in the front, and worsen traction in the rear. I was told by many that they aren’t worth it and the stock bars aren’t too bad. So I haven’t done it yet. Please advise

[Tooth]

Originally Posted by aBMWfan

I’ve been told swaybars don’t make a big difference in the front, and worsen traction in the rear. I was told by many that they aren’t worth it and the stock bars aren’t too bad. So I haven’t done it yet. Please advise

My car sees the track at least twice a month. Already have coilovers so away bars will definitely make a noticeable difference. If your serious about the handling of your car and are pushing its limits then sway bars are desired. For street driving probably not so much.

Chris

[aBMWfan]

Originally Posted by Tooth

My car sees the track at least twice a month. Already have coilovers so away bars will definitely make a noticeable difference. If your serious about the handling of your car and are pushing its limits then sway bars are desired. For street driving probably not so much.

Chris

Well I built it for track with JRZ coils and BBK, and that's what very reputable race shops and other drivers told me about them. But if you think they make a worthwhile difference I would reconsider. Did you do front/ rear?

[Tooth]

Originally Posted by aBMWfan

Well I built it for track with JRZ coils and BBK, and that's what very reputable race shops and other drivers told me about them. But if you think they make a worthwhile difference I would reconsider. Did you do front/ rear?

Haven't done it yet. My car has been tuned by the race shop guys at the track I go to. Mechanics I trust. Also other drivers I trust recommend them. So I'm going to give them a try. If I'm wrong I'll take them off but the physics of their use makes sense.

Chris

[bravehart38]

Originally Posted by aBMWfan

I’ve been told swaybars don’t make a big difference in the front, and worsen traction in the rear. I was told by many that they aren’t worth it and the stock bars aren’t too bad. So I haven’t done it yet. Please advise

I installed Hotchkis swaybars front and back. HUGE difference. 2015 base M3 which is probably why it made such a big difference. Turn in is much more crisp now. You will definitely notice it on track.

[aBMWfan]

Originally Posted by bravehart38

I installed Hotchkis swaybars front and back. HUGE difference. 2015 base M3 which is probably why it made such a big difference. Turn in is much more crisp now. You will definitely notice it on track.

Oh damn, I have a 15 as well and have been researching Hotchkis for a while. This could be in my list. How many hours did shop charge for the set, particularly the rear? Did you have to upgrade your endlinks? I understand these don’t have pre-load like stock?

[Tooth]

Originally Posted by bravehart38

I installed Hotchkis swaybars front and back. HUGE difference. 2015 base M3 which is probably why it made such a big difference. Turn in is much more crisp now. You will definitely notice it on track.

Did the set come with adjustable endlinks?

Chris

[MrSmartyPants]

If you were going to do it I'd recommend trying to get adjustable bars. Better for tuning balance and especially softening for rain. Ideally the bars can go softer than stock (for low grip conditions, especially if you have stiff spring rates). I like this strategy more for the front. Never liked a stiff bar in the rear except on fwd cars.

Ladder bars are nice too, but not sure how the OEM endlinks connect to the lca.

[aBMWfan]

Originally Posted by Tooth

Did the set come with adjustable endlinks?

Chris

I know Hotckis doesn’t, and I was told the stock ones are pretty good and easy to replace if needed

[bravehart38]

Originally Posted by aBMWfan

Oh damn, I have a 15 as well and have been researching Hotchkis for a while. This could be in my list. How many hours did shop charge for the set, particularly the rear? Did you have to upgrade your endlinks? I understand these don’t have pre-load like stock?

Did it myself. Shop should charge 3-4 hours at most. That being said I should have paid someone because it’s a PITA snaking the rear bars in and out. Gotta drop the rear subframe a few inches. No adjustable end links yet

[aBMWfan]

Originally Posted by bravehart38

Did it myself. Shop should charge 3-4 hours at most. That being said I should have paid someone because it’s a PITA snaking the rear bars in and out. Gotta drop the rear subframe a few inches. No adjustable end links yet

Ok great info, thank you so much guys!

-Ben

[ctgeorge]

I have Dinan Front/Rear on my '16 Civic M3 paired with Eibach Springs and GC Camber plates. It's a night and day difference in handling. Car no longer has the tendency to understeer on track and also the "high-speed float" is eliminated. The front bar is set 75% stiff and the rear at the softest.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by aBMWfan

I’ve been told swaybars don’t make a big difference in the front, and worsen traction in the rear. I was told by many that they aren’t worth it and the stock bars aren’t too bad. So I haven’t done it yet. Please advise

It's actually the opposite. A stiffer front swaybar will increase understeer. It will improve turn-in response at the expense of ultimate grip on the front axle.

[Tooth]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

It's actually the opposite. A stiffer front swaybar will increase understeer. It will improve turn-in response at the expense of ultimate grip on the front axle.

False. To increase oversteer soften the rear and stiffen the front. Opposite to increase understeer.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Tooth

False. To increase oversteer soften the rear and stiffen the front. Opposite to increase understeer.

Seems like you have some reading up to do

[MannyM5]

Originally Posted by Tooth

False. To increase oversteer soften the rear and stiffen the front. Opposite to increase understeer.

You 100% have this backwards..

If you do go through with upgrading the bars I would recommend you pick adjustable ones. I don't believe the afe bars have any adjustment levels. It would be very frustrating to pay for the bars and labor and be unhappy with the handling balance. You will want to be able to fine tune the settings to suit your driving style and optimize performance/balance.

[Tooth]

Originally Posted by MannyM5

You 100% have this backwards..

If you do go through with upgrading the bars I would recommend you pick adjustable ones. I don't believe the afe bars have any adjustment levels. It would be very frustrating to pay for the bars and labor and be unhappy with the handling balance. You will want to be able to fine tune the settings to suit your driving style and optimize performance/balance.

Oops yes I'm backwards. I'm going to go give myself some lashings!