swaybar settings
swaybar settings
ok, it's been reviewed a million times I know....
but i have the Hotchkis TVS stage 1 package, with Tokico Hp's, and SPL rear camber and toe kit.
my front swaybar is set on the 3rd stiffest setting (i have the revised with 4 holes), and the rear is on the middle setting.
the rear of my car feels solid and great, but the front is sluggish. i'm looking for more response from the front and a quicker turn in.
is it the front swaybar that I need to set to soft, or do i need to play with the rear settings in order to achieve a sharper feel up front?
thanx
but i have the Hotchkis TVS stage 1 package, with Tokico Hp's, and SPL rear camber and toe kit.
my front swaybar is set on the 3rd stiffest setting (i have the revised with 4 holes), and the rear is on the middle setting.
the rear of my car feels solid and great, but the front is sluggish. i'm looking for more response from the front and a quicker turn in.
is it the front swaybar that I need to set to soft, or do i need to play with the rear settings in order to achieve a sharper feel up front?
thanx
toe out(or in...can't remember) will give you a quicker turn-in but will also reduce high speed stability to a point, and create tire wear
sways just reduce the roll from side to side under turning situations
sways just reduce the roll from side to side under turning situations
35 psi all the way around. stock size tires front and rear running Hankook Ventus Evo's, Tokicos are the HP's so they are not adjustable (the blue ones), and no clue on the preloading of the sways. I'd imagine so being that they were installed at a reputable shop that specializes in Nissans.
35 psi all the way around. stock size tires front and rear running Hankook Ventus Evo's, Tokicos are the HP's so they are not adjustable (the blue ones), and no clue on the preloading of the sways. I'd imagine so being that they were installed at a reputable shop that specializes in Nissans.
ok, not trying to be a smart @ss, I did just realize that different year Z's have different sizes, but mine are 225/45 18" up front and 245/45 18" in the rear.
Last edited by nismospec; Apr 7, 2010 at 12:42 PM.
I saw the greatest improvement in turn-in when I went to a zero-toe setting on the front.
As everybody has pointed out, there are so many factors that affect handling besides the swaybar. It's ususally not as simple as setting swaybar, shock and alignment based on what others are using unless they have the exact same setup. You're going to have to experiment around a little.
As everybody has pointed out, there are so many factors that affect handling besides the swaybar. It's ususally not as simple as setting swaybar, shock and alignment based on what others are using unless they have the exact same setup. You're going to have to experiment around a little.
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sounds good. i'll have to research a bit more.
i have read that certain settings cause oversteer and understeer.
so is it stiff front, soft rear that causes understeer, or vice versa?
i have read that certain settings cause oversteer and understeer.
so is it stiff front, soft rear that causes understeer, or vice versa?
Here's where it get's tricky.
In the classic definition, a stiffer front sway increases understeer. On our cars, because of the limited camber, we normally go stiffer to help prevent body roll which tends to lean the tires more. It's counter-intuitive to what you want but it works.
I have hotchkis sways and use 3rd hole front (medium-stiff) and 1st hole rear (full soft). I have stock springs and Koni adjustables so you can't make a direct comparison to your setup.
I'd recommend browsing the threads on the Autocross/Track forum - there's a lot of them on swaybar settings, track setups, etc. You'll get a feel for what people are using and why from them.
In the classic definition, a stiffer front sway increases understeer. On our cars, because of the limited camber, we normally go stiffer to help prevent body roll which tends to lean the tires more. It's counter-intuitive to what you want but it works.
I have hotchkis sways and use 3rd hole front (medium-stiff) and 1st hole rear (full soft). I have stock springs and Koni adjustables so you can't make a direct comparison to your setup.
I'd recommend browsing the threads on the Autocross/Track forum - there's a lot of them on swaybar settings, track setups, etc. You'll get a feel for what people are using and why from them.
I saw the greatest improvement in turn-in when I went to a zero-toe setting on the front.
As everybody has pointed out, there are so many factors that affect handling besides the swaybar. It's ususally not as simple as setting swaybar, shock and alignment based on what others are using unless they have the exact same setup. You're going to have to experiment around a little.
As everybody has pointed out, there are so many factors that affect handling besides the swaybar. It's ususally not as simple as setting swaybar, shock and alignment based on what others are using unless they have the exact same setup. You're going to have to experiment around a little.
Here's where it get's tricky.
In the classic definition, a stiffer front sway increases understeer. On our cars, because of the limited camber, we normally go stiffer to help prevent body roll which tends to lean the tires more. It's counter-intuitive to what you want but it works.
I have hotchkis sways and use 3rd hole front (medium-stiff) and 1st hole rear (full soft). I have stock springs and Koni adjustables so you can't make a direct comparison to your setup.
I'd recommend browsing the threads on the Autocross/Track forum - there's a lot of them on swaybar settings, track setups, etc. You'll get a feel for what people are using and why from them.
In the classic definition, a stiffer front sway increases understeer. On our cars, because of the limited camber, we normally go stiffer to help prevent body roll which tends to lean the tires more. It's counter-intuitive to what you want but it works.
I have hotchkis sways and use 3rd hole front (medium-stiff) and 1st hole rear (full soft). I have stock springs and Koni adjustables so you can't make a direct comparison to your setup.
I'd recommend browsing the threads on the Autocross/Track forum - there's a lot of them on swaybar settings, track setups, etc. You'll get a feel for what people are using and why from them.
-J
