Sway bars

[SkysTheLimit]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Bump for some follow up questions ...

- Will stock end links work well with the Dinan bar on stock (ZCP) suspension? Trying to figure out which situation would call for the Dinan endlinks if so many on here say they don't fit.

- How would you guys compare/rank camber plates with a front sway bar for a weekend/canyon car?

I ended up buying Bimmerworld links to prevent any issues. What I found is it seemed the Dinan-supplied links would work for both the full soft and middle holes, but had a risk of being too long for full stiff. I think you'd be nuts to run full stiff on a stock ZCP suspension

Unlike what some others said, you should be able to use them. They're pretty comparable in length to stock FWIW.

The Bimmerworld links were of much better quality and were easier to install (wide inner recess for a normal box wrench). However I did have issues with the Bimmerworld hardware - the nuts are really weak and stripped easily.

[wyatth]

Thanks for that feedback. I will definitely be running on full soft (which is what, 50% stiffer than stock?). Shame the Dinan links aren't up to typical Dinan snuff.
I know a properly sized end link is important and becomes an issue when lowering, but other than that, is there any difference between links? I see no issue with the stock links - they hold up long enough, they're quiet, they’re made for the rest of the suspension, etc.

[Richbot]

One user has shortened the existing center section of the link with good results, if you have access to some decent metalworking tools could save a few bucks

[Rochen_00]

Would you recommend HR stabilizer bars? Is it noticed difference or not worth it?

[wyatth]

I think the Hotchkis front is the best alternative to Dinan. I believe it's also hollow and has a softest-setting of +50% stiffness over stock. That said, I'm sure Turner/H&R/etc are all good as well.

[wyatth]

What’s the softest bar (setting) currently offered? I do want a flatter front end with nicer turn in, but do not want to change the balance much. And I don’t want to change out the ZCP suspension (alignment pins or fixed plates aside). Other than E93 bar which just isn’t enough to bother with.
I think Dinan v2 and Hotchkis are around +50% at their softest, maybe H&R too. Dinan v1 was closer to +60%.

[dozaiya]

Originally Posted by wyatth

What’s the softest bar (setting) currently offered? I do want a flatter front end with nicer turn in, but do not want to change the balance much. And I don’t want to change out the ZCP suspension (alignment pins or fixed plates aside). Other than E93 bar which just isn’t enough to bother with.
I think Dinan v2 and Hotchkis are around +50% at their softest, maybe H&R too. Dinan v1 was closer to +60%.

H&R is 42.52% stiffer for the front bar as according to TMS
I just ended up getting H&R because realistically I wasn't going to adjust the stiffness, and the adjustments become too stiff anyways

[wyatth]

I think that’s compared to E93, and it’s 52% versus E90/92.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-4...iABEgK2DPD_BwE

And I agree - it’s likely a “set at soft” and forget for me.

[dozaiya]

Originally Posted by wyatth

I think that’s compared to E93, and it’s 52% versus E90/92.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-4...iABEgK2DPD_BwE

And I agree - it’s likely a “set at soft” and forget for me.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-t...-e92-sway-bars

the FAQ says 52.44% over E9X and 42.52% over E90 M3, so I'm not sure which one is the typo

[wyatth]

I am looking at a second hand Dinan V1 (solid, 28mm) sway bar. Can someone confirm the stiffness compared to stock? I recall something around 60% but supposedly that model is adjustable as well. Did V1 also come with end links?

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by wyatth

I am looking at a second hand Dinan V1 (solid, 28mm) sway bar. Can someone confirm the stiffness compared to stock? I recall something around 60% but supposedly that model is adjustable as well. Did V1 also come with end links?

V1 owner here. It's not adjustable and did not come with end links.

[wyatth]

Thanks. That's what I thought, but the seller said it's solid and adjustable. One of us is confused.

[dfwashere]

Originally Posted by ///MPower15

I love my hotchkis bar. I only have the front.

What endlinks and length are you running? Thanks

[///MPower15]

Originally Posted by dfwashere

What endlinks and length are you running? Thanks

Ground control endlinks. I forgot the length, but I believe they only make once size.

[lutfy]

Folks,

I have used different bars on my e90 M3 in the past (HR fixed/solid, moving to Eibach adjustable and then coverting back to stock as car was off the track and is my DD).

That said, was missing the feel and went back to getting a new front bar:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Eibach-A...W-E8X-E9X.html

Since E9x bars are interchangable, I got the above. It does not list the M3. Upon install, noticed the bushings are much bigger (wider) and wont fit the bracket. Does that mean the bars are interchangable between models and the M3 and non M cars share different brackets? If so, I'd be getting my self a set of brackets from a Non M car and call it a day vs assuming I was sent the wrong bushings in the first place.

TIA

Lutfy

[Tommysalami]

What are the tapered washers that Dinan includes with their M3 front bar hardware kit? They're shown for endlink attachment at the strut. Are those necessary? Looking at their non-M sway bar, they are not included in that hardware but the endlinks are the same

[sgreer78]

Originally Posted by Tommysalami

What are the tapered washers that Dinan includes with their M3 front bar hardware kit? They're shown for endlink attachment at the strut. Are those necessary? Looking at their non-M sway bar, they are not included in that hardware but the endlinks are the same

The strut's sway bar tab has a conical type hole, that could be for that. I don't remember my Dinan bar having a washer like you describe, maybe they've changed their design.

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by lutfy

Folks,

I have used different bars on my e90 M3 in the past (HR fixed/solid, moving to Eibach adjustable and then coverting back to stock as car was off the track and is my DD).

That said, was missing the feel and went back to getting a new front bar:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Eibach-A...W-E8X-E9X.html

Since E9x bars are interchangable, I got the above. It does not list the M3. Upon install, noticed the bushings are much bigger (wider) and wont fit the bracket. Does that mean the bars are interchangable between models and the M3 and non M cars share different brackets? If so, I'd be getting my self a set of brackets from a Non M car and call it a day vs assuming I was sent the wrong bushings in the first place.

TIA

Lutfy

The correct front M3 eibach bar is this 29mm one:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Eibach-ANTI-ROLL-Front-Sway-Bar-Kit-BMW-E82-E90-E92-M3.html

I just bought one. You may well be correct that 335i brackets will work with the bar and bushings you bought and fit the M3 chassis and that you will be able to use the bar you bought, but I don’t know. Worth a try.

[lutfy]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

The correct front M3 eibach bar is this 29mm one:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Eibach-A...90-E92-M3.html

I just bought one. You may well be correct that 335i brackets will work with the bar and bushings you bought and fit the M3 chassis and that you will be able to use the bar you bought, but I don’t know. Worth a try.

Gotcha. So the 335i brackets are different indeed?

I have the bar now so will live with it!

TIA

Lutfy

[pbonsalb]

I don’t know but real oem might show enough to tell.

You are still getting substantial benefit over stock with 28mm.

[Tommysalami]

Originally Posted by Tommysalami

What are the tapered washers that Dinan includes with their M3 front bar hardware kit? They're shown for endlink attachment at the strut. Are those necessary? Looking at their non-M sway bar, they are not included in that hardware but the endlinks are the same

It's probably fine without the tapered washers but I ended up ordering a set of these for peace of mind:
https://www.bimmerworld.com/Suspensi...WNELQsgbIpAqRM

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Tommysalami

What are the tapered washers that Dinan includes with their M3 front bar hardware kit? They're shown for endlink attachment at the strut. Are those necessary? Looking at their non-M sway bar, they are not included in that hardware but the endlinks are the same

It's for the spherical end of an adjustable link. It allows the ball to rotate. If you bolt the end against the sway link the spherical can't move and may result in the bar binding or bending the link.

If you're using OEM links they are not needed.