RD Sport Sway bars installed

doba_s · 08-03-2010, 12:53 AM

I recently swapped stock sway bars with RD Sport kit.

Good: You can feel the difference right away. The car feels stiffer and the body-roll is definitely reduced. Both front and rear bars are much thicker than the stock bars and can be adjusted within a few minutes right at the track.

Bad: The installation process is PITA. It take a out 4-5h to replace it if you know what you are doing. I should probably say it takes about 30min to replace the front bar, and around 4h to replace the rear.

Overall I am very happy with the product and the results and can't wait to take it to the real world testing "track"

This is something I would definitely recommend doing if you are looking to reduce body-roll.

I will post a few pictures soon ...

Finnegan · 08-03-2010, 01:35 AM

Cool! You have to drop the rear sub-frame to do the rear install right? That lift you have sure comes in handy for something like that; no way I'd do that with the car on jacks!

Alekshop · 08-03-2010, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Cool! You have to drop the rear sub-frame to do the rear install right? That lift you have sure comes in handy for something like that; no way I'd do that with the car on jacks!

you can, but you would have to take a week off

kitw · 08-03-2010, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Cool! You have to drop the rear sub-frame to do the rear install right? That lift you have sure comes in handy for something like that; no way I'd do that with the car on jacks!

It's not dropping it completely, just loosening it and dropping it down. It's not quite as bad as it seems (but it's not easy)

doba_s - how is the ride quality? Feel anything different? When I put sway bars on my E36, the ride quality took a nose dive, because they tended to bind a bit during the travel making it rougher. I left sway bars off the my E46.

Finnegan · 08-03-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitw

It's not dropping it completely, just loosening it and dropping it down. It's not quite as bad as it seems (but it's not easy)

Well, let's just say I'm not going to try it! Small stuff, yeah, major work like this...nope. I might be up for trying it if I had a lift; otherwise like Aleks says it's a week in the driveway and problem never ending shoulder pain from that point on....

bunnn · 08-03-2010, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitw

It's not dropping it completely, just loosening it and dropping it down. It's not quite as bad as it seems (but it's not easy)

doba_s - how is the ride quality? Feel anything different? When I put sway bars on my E36, the ride quality took a nose dive, because they tended to bind a bit during the travel making it rougher. I left sway bars off the my E46.

Maybe it was a placebo effect, but when I got mine done last Friday, the ride seemed a bit harsher... just a tad bit, but I figured that was to be expected. However, the trade off for the improvement overcomes that easily. I'm running on a PSS10(3F/4R) & RDsport(mid setting) combo.

Alekshop · 08-04-2010, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunnn

Maybe it was a placebo effect, but when I got mine done last Friday, the ride seemed a bit harsher... just a tad bit, but I figured that was to be expected. However, the trade off for the improvement overcomes that easily. I'm running on a PSS10(3F/4R) & RDsport(mid setting) combo.

I can see why the ride can get a bit harsher with PSS10s. With the Dinan Stage 1 kit that I am running on 20" HRE P40s I didn't notice any difference in the ride quality, except for the reduced body roll ...

kitw · 08-04-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Well, let's just say I'm not going to try it! Small stuff, yeah, major work like this...nope. I might be up for trying it if I had a lift; otherwise like Aleks says it's a week in the driveway and problem never ending shoulder pain from that point on....

hehe don't get me wrong, I'd pay someone too.

bunnn · 08-04-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alekshop

I can see why the ride can get a bit harsher with PSS10s. With the Dinan Stage 1 kit that I am running on 20" HRE P40s I didn't notice any difference in the ride quality, except for the reduced body roll ...

Oh but my PSS10 were on wayyyyy before the install of the sway bars...I just mentioned because usually the suspension set up gets questioned soon after.

Again, I'm not sure if it's a placebo ..but every time I get sways done it feels like the ride gets a tad bit harsher...same Hotchkis on my old car..

It's really not significant enough to be a factor in not buying this for sure.

rzm3 · 08-04-2010, 07:45 PM

It is possible that the ride may be stiffer.

Sway bars basically connect the left wheel to the right wheel so that in a corner one wheel can "borrow" stiffness from the other to reduce body roll.

Therefore, in a situation (i.e. going over a bump) when there is a big difference in wheel position between left and right, you may actually feel the additional stiffness.

Malek@MRF · 08-07-2010, 07:33 PM

An inherent property of stiffer sway bars is a more uncomfortable ride.

Dartanium · 08-07-2010, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

An inherent property of stiffer sway bars is a more uncomfortable ride.

but probably more comfortable then upgrading stiffer springs on OEM shocks

MrHarris · 08-08-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartanium

but probably more comfortable then upgrading stiffer springs on OEM shocks

+1. Going to stiffer springs, even Eibachs are more noticeable in terms of comfort than upgrading your sway bars.

STALKER · 06-17-2012, 09:43 PM

Anymore feedback on the RD sway bars?

VictorH · 06-18-2012, 08:38 AM

I'm curious too. I was interested in doing this but when I spoke to the Ground Control folks they told me they had installed three sets of front and rear bars on E9x M3s and removed two sets because the owner's didn't like them.

There's no doubt that roll is reduced but the question is, is cornering performance improved? When you look at the stock M3 bars they are pretty massive stock (at least compared to all the other bars I've seen on other cars).

STALKER · 06-18-2012, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VictorH

I'm curious too. I was interested in doing this but when I spoke to the Ground Control folks they told me they had installed three sets of front and rear bars on E9x M3s and removed two sets because the owner's didn't like them.

There's no doubt that roll is reduced but the question is, is cornering performance improved? When you look at the stock M3 bars they are pretty massive stock (at least compared to all the other bars I've seen on other cars).

Did they mention what specifically they disliked about them?

VictorH · 06-18-2012, 04:28 PM

That they stiffened up the suspension more than they expected and that they were less compliant over bumps. Net was that it wasn't clear that it improved anything.

I think it now that there is some M3 race car experience it would be interesting to see what Turner or other race teams are using for anti-roll bars and whether they find that an even larger diameter bar is needed. Not obviously the same as street but if they're not doing it, perhaps we shouldn't be either.

STALKER · 06-19-2012, 10:39 AM

I think it's important to know what other suspension mods these cars had too and what spring rates they were using.

VSmotorsports · 06-19-2012, 01:10 PM

We are running the H&R sways front and rear but have not had time to compare them to stock. So far the car feels good after the first race but we are going out for some testing in the next few weeks to sort the car. But this is a full time race car so comforts on the street i'm not sure we can help yet.

leo95se · 07-21-2012, 08:59 AM

any other input on these bars? im so tired of the body roll.

08-03-2010, 12:53 AM	#1
doba_s Major General Drives: M3, 1M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 6,105 iTrader: (26)	RD Sport Sway bars installed I recently swapped stock sway bars with RD Sport kit. Good: You can feel the difference right away. The car feels stiffer and the body-roll is definitely reduced. Both front and rear bars are much thicker than the stock bars and can be adjusted within a few minutes right at the track. Bad: The installation process is PITA. It take a out 4-5h to replace it if you know what you are doing. I should probably say it takes about 30min to replace the front bar, and around 4h to replace the rear. Overall I am very happy with the product and the results and can't wait to take it to the real world testing "track" This is something I would definitely recommend doing if you are looking to reduce body-roll. I will post a few pictures soon ...
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08-04-2010, 07:45 PM	#10
rzm3 Moderator Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: IL/TX Posts: 4,569 iTrader: (13)	It is possible that the ride may be stiffer. Sway bars basically connect the left wheel to the right wheel so that in a corner one wheel can "borrow" stiffness from the other to reduce body roll. Therefore, in a situation (i.e. going over a bump) when there is a big difference in wheel position between left and right, you may actually feel the additional stiffness. __________________ Powered by M-World / AiM Evo4 Data Logger / KW Competition 2-Way / Brembo GT 365 / Pagid Yellow RS-29 / Rear Seats Delete Previous Mods: RBM3 / StopTech 380/355 / Moton Clubsport & Street Sport / Dinan Stage 1 / H&R Sport / M-World GT4 Aero / Eisenmann Sport & Race / Akrapovic Slip-On

08-07-2010, 07:33 PM	#11
Malek@MRF BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: E92 ZCP Melbourne 6MT Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Irvine, California Posts: 2,831 iTrader: (5)	An inherent property of stiffer sway bars is a more uncomfortable ride. __________________ MRF on Facebook Southern California's largest & most reputable E9x M3 forced induction & suspension facility. *"Performance; Uncompromised."*

06-17-2012, 09:43 PM	#14
STALKER Brigadier General Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 3,408 iTrader: (5)	Anymore feedback on the RD sway bars? __________________ 2008 AW/FR E90 M3-SOLD 2013 991 C4S-Produced, but not delivered.

06-19-2012, 10:39 AM	#18
STALKER Brigadier General Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 3,408 iTrader: (5)	I think it's important to know what other suspension mods these cars had too and what spring rates they were using. __________________ 2008 AW/FR E90 M3-SOLD 2013 991 C4S-Produced, but not delivered.

08-03-2010, 01:35 AM	#2
Finnegan Major General Drives: Sapphire Black/Black Z4Mc Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: At the track..or wishing I were at the track Posts: 5,484 iTrader: (17)	Cool! You have to drop the rear sub-frame to do the rear install right? That lift you have sure comes in handy for something like that; no way I'd do that with the car on jacks!

06-18-2012, 08:38 AM	#15
VictorH Lieutenant Drives: '09 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SC Posts: 546 iTrader: (1)	I'm curious too. I was interested in doing this but when I spoke to the Ground Control folks they told me they had installed three sets of front and rear bars on E9x M3s and removed two sets because the owner's didn't like them. There's no doubt that roll is reduced but the question is, is cornering performance improved? When you look at the stock M3 bars they are pretty massive stock (at least compared to all the other bars I've seen on other cars).

06-18-2012, 04:28 PM	#17
VictorH Lieutenant Drives: '09 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SC Posts: 546 iTrader: (1)	That they stiffened up the suspension more than they expected and that they were less compliant over bumps. Net was that it wasn't clear that it improved anything. I think it now that there is some M3 race car experience it would be interesting to see what Turner or other race teams are using for anti-roll bars and whether they find that an even larger diameter bar is needed. Not obviously the same as street but if they're not doing it, perhaps we shouldn't be either.

06-19-2012, 01:10 PM	#19
VSmotorsports Lieutenant Colonel Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Schaumburg, IL Posts: 1,638 iTrader: (3)	We are running the H&R sways front and rear but have not had time to compare them to stock. So far the car feels good after the first race but we are going out for some testing in the next few weeks to sort the car. But this is a full time race car so comforts on the street i'm not sure we can help yet.

07-21-2012, 08:59 AM	#20
leo95se First Lieutenant Drives: 09 JB e92, Q5 and passat Join Date: May 2009 Location: CT Posts: 375 iTrader: (1)	any other input on these bars? im so tired of the body roll.

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