Final Update: bwoody Rear Bar + Progress Rear Sway Bar INSTALLED! (Pics)

[kevinmmccormick]

So about a week and a half ago I finally got modded Progress rear sway bar and the bwoody strut bar installed! (previous posts here and here)

Firstly, the amount of shaving that we did on the Progress bar was perfect. No more would have been necessary, and any less and the strut bar wouldn't have fit. Here's what it looks like all installed:




I couldn't get a picture of it from the back well, but suffice to say it fits like a glove.

Ground clearance-wise, I am kind of pushing it, as the bar hangs only 5-6 inches off the ground. However, it's almost no difference from a setup with the strut bar alone. As you can see from the first photo, the Progress bar only adds about 3/8" to the height of the setup from the control arm down.

Performance-wise, one word: unbelievable. The car is seriously gripping curves (such as exit-ramps) at insanely high speeds, and is also extremely responsive during "spirited" driving, taking sharper turns at higher speeds (like taking a 90+ deg turn at 25-30 without losing the back end). The Progress bar has definitely added anti-roll properties to the car's handling, and the strut bar (adjusted far out) continues to provide some helpful negative camber as well as keeping the car pointed forward.

Side note: After a day of autocrossing, I took at look at the Progress bar to see if it was holding up after being modded. No noticable difference in its shape or any indication that the weld was struggling to hold on.

I would strongly recommend this mod to anyone who is into improving the car's handling and steering response. Overall the car feels more confident and just begs to be taken to the limit. Thanks for everyone's help, especially Eco-Mod for the tips!

[bc3tech]

talk about a firm ass!!! noice job homie

[Skythe]

uh oh....will this create a following??

my e-peenus says yes

[BLOWN ION]

Originally Posted by Skythe

uh oh....will this create a following??

i've been thinking about this for a while now but there are other things i needed to do first. My back end feels damn good with the new tires, it's the front end i would like to tighten up more.

[Skythe]

Originally Posted by BLOWN ION

i've been thinking about this for a while now but there are other things i needed to do first. My back end feels damn good with the new tires, it's the front end i would like to tighten up more.

that's an interesting plight

my question, what would or could you do to the front end? I've been hyper-critical of this car and with my setup (which is rather similar to yours) I think the front end has been tamed and is performs rather satisfactory considering our little torque steer / FWD problem.

[04Whiner]

Ok Have you ran over anything yet and ripped that bar off? It looks hella low!

[Tennpenn83]

Originally Posted by Skythe

that's an interesting plight

my question, what would or could you do to the front end? I've been hyper-critical of this car and with my setup (which is rather similar to yours) I think the front end has been tamed and is performs rather satisfactory considering our little torque steer / FWD problem.

i believe there is one company out there that makes a bigger front sway bar but i don't remember who it was. also you could (of course) lower the car, bwoody sway bar end links, strut tower bar, and there is a company (i think it's rebelworx) that makes a subframe brace for the front end

[Skythe]

Originally Posted by Tennpenn83

i believe there is one company out there that makes a bigger front sway bar but i don't remember who it was. also you could (of course) lower the car, bwoody sway bar end links, strut tower bar, and there is a company (i think it's rebelworx) that makes a subframe brace for the front end

holy shit ballz, this thread was created an entire year ago

[Tennpenn83]

Originally Posted by Skythe

holy shit ballz, this thread was created an entire year ago

hey don't blame me, 04whiner brought it back from the dead

[kevinmmccormick]

Originally Posted by 04Whiner

Ok Have you ran over anything yet and ripped that bar off? It looks hella low!

Actually, to my surprise no. It's held up just fine in the winter with snow, bumpy roads, etc.

In terms of the car's front end, we definitely don't need a bigger front sway bar as it would probably exaggerate understeer, but the SMS front strut tower brace is a definite plus for stability.