sway bars on a 92 civic sedan

[seanjuan]

hi,
i'm just wondering what peoples thoughts on sway bars are?
i've heard alot of people say that they are the best mod they have ever done because of better handleing... how true is this?

if i was going to put a sway bar on my car, would i just do a rear lower bar or would i want to do both front and rear?

thanks
Sean

[VieT916]

Yup, they're practically the best suspension mod you can get. As for which to get and what size, it depends. Do you already have a front anti-sway bar? If so, you can get a rear one only to help remove understeer. But if you only have a rear one and no front one, your car can get very twitchy and unpredictable. Also, running a thick anti-sway bar up front and a not-so-thick one in the rear will promote heavy understeer. However, running a fatty one out back that's thicker than the front can promote understeer. So you might think to buy equal sized sway bars, right? Well, that could promote neutral handling on the verge of understeer or oversteer. It really depends on how you car handles now. I'm running my Civic's stock front anti-sway bar with a 22 mm Progress anti-sway bar in the rear, and it handles a lot better. It has gotten twitchy a few times, but for daily driving, it handles great. I'd probably change my Konis' settings for hardcore driving (harder in front than rear, so I understeer quite a bit), but it feels great on the street.

[Racing Rice]

I will agree.. It is hands down the best mod for the money so far for me..

I bought the Skunk2 swaybar which is 21mm, and I have the stock 22mm Front swaybar on still. It made a night and day difference. :yes:

When deciding on a swaybar there are several things you should take into consideration. First is what size front swaybar do you currently have. You may want to upgrade that first if its on the small side I think Suspension Technics has a package that you can buy that include both the Front and rear swaybar. But Im not sure if they have one for your car. Its worth looking into tho.

The next thing you want to take into consideration is how the rear swaybar mounts onto your car. I got lucky because the 6th Gen civics already have all the wholes in the LCA [Lower control arms] and in the subframe, so my skunk2 bar bolted right up with no modification at all. With the 5th gen you arent so lucky. Some kits like the Skunk2 will require Integra LCAs that come with the holes for the endlinks. Other kits dont. I believe ST swaybars mount to your shock bolts some how so you dont need new LCAs.

Then you have the possible problem with subframe tear through and/or tear apart. But thats kinda another subject.

[AzCivic]

I believe the sedans are the only 5th gen civics to have both front and rear sway bars which will make things alot easier, just go buy a matched set and your handling should be much improved. If you want really good handling I'd consider replacing your stock ruber bushings with polyurethane ones. Might result in a slightly bumpier ride but it will help out your handling quite a bit.

[Racing Rice]

I dont think the 5th Gen Sedans had swaybars... Not LX anyway. Thats what my Wife has [its a 95 LX] and I dont think hers has a rear swaybar. Ill double check when I get home tho.

[seanjuan]

i gotta take a look know too
i've been under my car alot but never have looked for sway bars
anyway, thanks for the help

Sean

[AzCivic]

Ok i did a little research and it turns out only the EX sedan has the rear sway bar. My bad.

http://www.performancesupply.com/civic92-95.htm

[Racing Rice]

Originally posted by AzCivic
Ok i did a little research and it turns out only the EX sedan has the rear sway bar. My bad.

We will forgive you for trying to confuse us, this time.. ;) :D

[AzCivic]

I was kinda right :D I'm so sorry, it'll never happen again :D

[AzCivic]

Maybe Honda used the same Lower control arms on all the sedans and there is a hole already!?

[seanjuan]

i'll have to check next time i get my car up off the ground
thanks for finding the info

Sean

[Racing Rice]

Originally posted by AzCivic
Maybe Honda used the same Lower control arms on all the sedans and there is a hole already!?

Hmm.. thats a thought.. It would make sense anway.. But that sounds to easy.;)

[seanjuan]

it would be very cool if the LCA's where allready setup for a sway bar
i doubt that it's setup for a lower tie bar though, and wouldn't you want to put one of those on to keep your frame from tearing?

later
SEan

[Racing Rice]

A lower tiebar helps reduce stress a little, but wont keep it from tearing. Your best bet is to get the subframe reinforced.

[AzCivic]

How would one reinforce their subframe?

[Racing Rice]

The piece that runs across the car that the LCA connect to arent welded very well from stock. Reweld them better If you get under there and look you would see what Im talking about. Thats usually where it tears apart at.

Or if you use a swaybar that connects to that piece that runs across the car, when you install your swaybar you should put some sort of reinforcement like an 1/8th inch piece of metal to distribute the stress better so you bolt dont rip through your subframe.

Hopefully that made atleast a little bit of sense.;)

[AzCivic]

Ahh yes, i see. Good info thanks.

[seanjuan]

how much welding experience would a person need to be able to do that on there own?
how much would a shop charge to do that?
would welding along with puting in a tie bar be even better, or are tie bars sort of a myth?

later
Sean

[Racing Rice]

Originally posted by seanjuan
how much welding experience would a person need to be able to do that on there own?
how much would a shop charge to do that?
would welding along with puting in a tie bar be even better, or are tie bars sort of a myth?

later
Sean

All you need to do is beable to weld a strong bead. If you know how to weld and not worry about burning holes through the bottom of your car you could probably do it. You will have to grind and clean the surface before welding.

Welding and a rear lower tie bar will help even more. Welding strenthens while the tiebar reduces stress a little.

[seanjuan]

is all this going to effect the general feel of your ride?
what i mean is... by strengthening your subframe etc. are you going to get a bumpier feel from your car because it won't be able to absord shock as well?

later
Sean

[AzCivic]

I would think general ride quality will remain about the same.

[seanjuan]

once i get my other thousand projects done i'll see what i have for money and time

sorry to change subject, but quick question for Azcivic:
how do you like your WS exhaust? i'd like to ask you a few questions about it if you wouldn't mind
if you get a chance e-mail me at sonn0042@tc.umn.edu

later
Sean

[Racing Rice]

The strengthening and stuff wont affect ride quality.. You will feel more bumps and such with a swaybar tho, especially a thicker one. But it makes the car so much more predictable its very worth it. :yes: Its not really that much worse..