Sway Bar Summary!
I have the Hotchkiss sways on order. I have a 2005 Coupe and was wondering what setting should I start with? I was thinking position 2 in the front (48% stiffer than stock) and position 2 in the rear (125% stiffer). Does that sound like a good starting point? I do not track my car. Just a little aggressive drive in the curves on the way to work.
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Hoping some of you guys can help one of you 'X' brethren out with some advice.
So no one has made an aftermarket front sway for the X yet (and perhaps never?) and so I'm faced with the decision of just getting a rear sway.
Some dudes over in the v36 tech section have discovered that their X models have a larger front sway than the front sway on the RWD sedan, and a smaller rear sway as well; it looks like the X has been tuned to have a bit more understeer, likely because the car is expected to be driven in worse conditions. I'd like things to be more neutral, myself.
Specifically, here are the diameters:
RWD sway: front 26.8mm, rear 24.4mm
AWD sway: front 31.7mm, rear 17.7mm
Here is their thread:
https://g35driver.com/forums/v36-bra...ar-sizing.html
I'm not certain that my g35x 2006 sways are the same diameter as those 2007-2008s but I imagine it's a similar setup with a stiffer front.
So, keeping in mind that I won't be able to adjust the front sway, what sort of aftermarket rear sway should I look at? I'm guessing that I should try something that has a lowest setting that's near 'stock' since that even will be an increase over the stock AWD rear sway? Or will that not be as much of a deal since I already likely have a stiffer front sway?
I like what I hear about the newer hotchkis, but would be disappointed if their lowest setting still gave the X too much oversteer/waddle, since I believe their lowest setting is still 150+% of stock RWD sway.
So no one has made an aftermarket front sway for the X yet (and perhaps never?) and so I'm faced with the decision of just getting a rear sway.
Some dudes over in the v36 tech section have discovered that their X models have a larger front sway than the front sway on the RWD sedan, and a smaller rear sway as well; it looks like the X has been tuned to have a bit more understeer, likely because the car is expected to be driven in worse conditions. I'd like things to be more neutral, myself.
Specifically, here are the diameters:
RWD sway: front 26.8mm, rear 24.4mm
AWD sway: front 31.7mm, rear 17.7mm
Here is their thread:
https://g35driver.com/forums/v36-bra...ar-sizing.html
I'm not certain that my g35x 2006 sways are the same diameter as those 2007-2008s but I imagine it's a similar setup with a stiffer front.
So, keeping in mind that I won't be able to adjust the front sway, what sort of aftermarket rear sway should I look at? I'm guessing that I should try something that has a lowest setting that's near 'stock' since that even will be an increase over the stock AWD rear sway? Or will that not be as much of a deal since I already likely have a stiffer front sway?
I like what I hear about the newer hotchkis, but would be disappointed if their lowest setting still gave the X too much oversteer/waddle, since I believe their lowest setting is still 150+% of stock RWD sway.
+1^. You would have to take apart something totally unnecessary and wrong to impact your alignment if sways are the only change you are doing at that time.
It has a lot more understeer than it should for any G sedan, and much worse than than the non-X stock Sedans esp compared to the Sport models (e.g. G35S sedan). I've driven just about every MY of the G35X and now G37X Sedan as loaner cars from the dealer besides all the model years of 6MT Coupe, both the X Sedans are understeering pigs stock by comparison to the RWD only models, stock to stock. Often the dealer has pushed a 'non-standard' loaner I think to entice me to 'upgrade' the car I have, w/o any success to date
That's the whole G35/G37 line except the newest G37X Coupe, so I am not just blowing smoke here. Out of infinite curiosity, I often have found an empty lot for some enhanced testing
and some of the same backroads just to see how the various cars handle. You can tell a lot in a day or two and the '05('06?) generation G35x (no offense meant, please!) was the worst of the bunch with excessive body roll (rear mostly), what felt like softer springs (I drive a 6MT Coupe) and not enough tire. My Rx impression was more rear bar, all around more spring, more tire all around, and lower the car just a little. By comparison the G37x 2009 MY was quite a bit better, but still not even close to neutral.I'd consider new bushings for the front if you could find them (ES, etc.) + clamps with zircs for easy lube, and leave the bar itself alone, upgrade the rear, including new bushings and possiblly clamps since the diameter isn't going to be even close; the new bushing can take up 10mm larger bar, but I doubt the OEM clamps will. When I look at the stock X bars either the smaller front or the now larger front, it is clear the rear is tiny and I'd upgrade the rear with at least a 3-position adjustable bar, plus consider end links down the line, the Nissan end links are horrible, over time the will bind and if you do upgrade sways, that will only make it more likely they may even pop in the rear.
Oh, and ditch those damn A/S ("no season") tires for summer set and a Winter set, those things are horrible, every MY w/o exception. Anyone who doesn't has no idea what they are missing, ALL year long, esp in Winter your stopping distance and lateral traction with a G35x Sedan is much worse with OEM all-season tires than my RWD only Coupe with Blizzaks. Much worse, why buy a car that turns all 4 wheels intending to drive it in inclement weather and not get Winter tires??? Same for summer, the lack of traction of the skinny-azz fronts (225/18?) just makes the understeer worse. I think it was Tire Rack that said Winter tires account for less than 12% of passenger car tires sold, that's just wrong, when you consider the number of cars driven in ice and snow in the US.
edit - add Gspec bracing under the front instead of a new sway bar, it will do a lot more good.
I can't speak to the Eibach but I've had 3 years now on the Hotchkis.
The adjustments are dead on, the front esp. The range of adjustability is fantastic.
They're great bars and periodically can be had for a good price when they go on sale. Drive my Coupe all 4 seasons and they look as new as the day I mounted them. And I put the car through some interesting extremes, lol!
The adjustments are dead on, the front esp. The range of adjustability is fantastic.
They're great bars and periodically can be had for a good price when they go on sale. Drive my Coupe all 4 seasons and they look as new as the day I mounted them. And I put the car through some interesting extremes, lol!
Yeah I thought I was going to go Stillen but after seeing a couple snapped sway bars I think I'll go with Hotchkis. Too bad because Stillen had them on sale for $268.27.
Has anyone found a good price on the Hotchkis sways recently?
Has anyone found a good price on the Hotchkis sways recently?
I've been on Stillen sways for a few years... many,many runs down drag strip, four hard full road course sessions, and lots of spirited street driving - no problems whatsoever.
