Need Input: Sway Bar and Tire Upgrades?

98V70T5 · Post by **98V70T5** » 29 Jul 2011, 00:41

Car is a 98 V70T5

Looking for less roll out of my car, but I don't want to touch the springs. I've been through a lot with the springs, and even paid a tech to take the Eibachs out of my car and put new stock springs in to get some ride quality back (bought the car used with the springs installed).

From what I can tell, the car has a good natural grip, but the tires give out AND the body rolls too much before the rest of the suspension gives out. Meaning, there is more cornering in this car. I would like to upgrade the sway bars, and go with a GREAT tire. I'm thinking Pirelli, cost isn't an option on the tires. From what I've gathered over the years, the biggest improvement, even over bolt on parts, to handling is via a tire compound upgrade.

Who can recommend a high end performance tire for the stock rim? Also what are the recommendations for sway bars? Should I do front and back? Right now the front just mushes out wayyyyyyyy before the rear does. Will sway bars affect IN ANY WAY how the car takes bumps? The last thing I need now is to make the car ride stiffer! How does a car drive/handle with new stock suspension, and upgraded sway bar(s)?

Thanks everyone!

Post by **kelvin6** » 29 Jul 2011, 01:10

I personally didn't feel like the car got rougher over bumps when I got my sway bar setup. Over the past year i've replaced the old Bilstein TCs with new Bilstein TCs shocks and struts, kept the stock springs, installed a CJ's (iPd) strut brace, iPd HD endlinks and finally completed everything with the iPd Swaybars. I've replaced my tires two months back with the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS all season tire and so far I love the way the car handles with the balance of smoothness. It does ride stiffer than what was originally stock for this car (Sachs struts), but the only very minimally stiffer, but the handling has improved incredibly!

98V70T5 · Post by **98V70T5** » 29 Jul 2011, 01:21

when you did the f/r sway bars, how did it change the cars balance (over,neutral,understeer) and did it firm up the initial turn in?

Post by **Juan62** » 29 Jul 2011, 04:55

Tires; check out Tire Rack.com for references and brands for your car. Ultra Hi-Perforemance, Hi-Perforemance with All Season attributes. Michelins, Continental, Goodyear, comes to mind as the best All Season tires.

zhenya · Post by **zhenya** » 29 Jul 2011, 08:05

IPD sway bars are what you need. They will significantly reduce body roll, while having a minimal impact on ride quality (although they will have some). One of the best handling upgrades you can make for these cars, making turn in much more direct and moving the balance somewhat more towards neutral.

What kind of shocks do you have, btw?

For tires, if you really want performance, you need a summer tire, not an all-season. I have Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2's that are phenomenal - the best summer road tire I've ever used (that will still last at least 20k). I'm sure there are other great options available - but I've had mixed luck with so many supposedly great tires over the years that I will definitely be buying another set of these when the time comes.

98V70T5 · Post by **98V70T5** » 30 Jul 2011, 23:33

I have the stock shocks, all new parts top to bottom. Best tires I ever had was on a Toyota Supra TT, Michelin Pilots (can't remember the tire name), gripped beyond belief!

How are those Exaltos in freezing conditions? I'm not talking about snow, I have snow tires, but just on cold days? The manufacturers say not to use a summer tire near freezing temps. Just wondering it thats just a disclaimer, or they really mean it? It doesn't really snow much here, and if it does we have other cars to use.

Post by **Juan62** » 31 Jul 2011, 04:28

Consider a strut brace...

zhenya · Post by **zhenya** » 31 Jul 2011, 07:38

I would not want to have to drive these Michelins in near freezing weather. Any truly high performance tire will get very hard and has an extraordinary lack of grip in cold weather. I take mine off by late October or early November at the latest.

I would not personally bother with a strut brace - it plays a relatively small role in the handling of the car, and if it is stiff enough to do any good, it is going to effect the ride quality negatively. I love my OMP bar, but it had nearly as much effect on the ride quality as my performance shocks and springs...

Post by **vjaneczko** » 31 Jul 2011, 10:00

My thought on a struct brace is to get one. I got one and noticed a nice improvement during hard corners. My thought is that after all these years, the frame starts to weaken and flex more; the brace will help to keep things rigid.

98V70T5 · Post by **98V70T5** » 31 Jul 2011, 16:25

zhenya wrote:I would not want to have to drive these Michelins in near freezing weather. Any truly high performance tire will get very hard and has an extraordinary lack of grip in cold weather. I take mine off by late October or early November at the latest.
I love my OMP bar, but it had nearly as much effect on the ride quality as my performance shocks and springs...

ok good info on the tires being too hard in the cold. will probably look for an all season. we really dont get snow here until late dec.

what shocks and springs do you have? i am thinking i like the sway bar idea to get rid of body roll, improve turn in, WITHOUT adding stiffness to the ride.

thanks!