Installed my Stillen Sway Bars today

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May 7, 2006 | 05:04 PM
  #1  
The install was fairly easy with jackstands, and air tools. The rear was a piece of cake (except for having to drop my Stillen exhaust out of the way a bit to remove the bar). The front took a bit longer due to a bolt that was stripped at the factory. We removed it and it would not go back in.

Anyways, everything went up good. I found one bolt on the passenger side endlink loose of the front sway bar. I am not sure if this might have been causing me to get vibrations at highway speeds no matter what wheels/tires I had on the car (even with them balanced to the best). But I drove the car after installing these and it was smooth as silk again.

Now performance improvement. I expected a little gain from these. But I didn't expect a dramatic gain that I did get!

The car is very responsive, and it wants to stick now in the turns with hardly any body lean. I have the sway bar set to the middle holes both front and rear. I tossed the car hard in some turns at speeds I could not take before without the car getting a bit loose. I can't wait to hit the track. I know I will be much faster in my lap times compared to the last time!

While I was at it, I bought some dupont caliper paint in black and painted my calipers as well.

Sorry about no pics, didn't feel like messing with the camera yesterday. I just wanted to get the mods on.
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May 7, 2006 | 05:17 PM
  #2  
congrats!
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May 7, 2006 | 06:46 PM
  #3  
Congrats and thanks for a good write up
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May 7, 2006 | 06:50 PM
  #4  
As I am thinking of going with the Stillen sways and from previous posts I've read, do you think the front sway made that much of a difference? I know Stillen does not sell the two bars seperately but just wondering about the difference. Thanks
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May 7, 2006 | 08:08 PM
  #5  
Because they are adjustable, I think they are worth it.
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May 7, 2006 | 08:14 PM
  #6  
Sweet! Good to read that you are enjoying your Stillen sway bars, Russ. I finally settled into the med/med position. Looks like you found your setting right off the bat. Enjoy!
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May 7, 2006 | 10:44 PM
  #7  
I just installed mine ths weekend too. Very easy to install. I drove a few miles after installing and can't tell a huge difference, I could use some more sleep before I drive it again. Stillen's directions sucked again, though the installation was self-explanitory. For those wondering what tools are needed (the directions don't state), here you go...

3/8" ratchet
1 or 2 short extensions
14mm deep socket for the sway bar mounts and exhaust mounts
14mm regular socket for the rear end/tie links
17mm regular for the front end/tie links
10mm regular socket for the skid plate covering the front sway bar
small flat-head screw driver for the plastic pins holding in the skid cover and passenger side dust shield at the sway bar mount
jack & jack stands
you also have to remove the passenger rear wheel

I have it set to med/med as well but I may switch to med/stiff.

G35 TX, did your car come with the sport package? Mine did, I'm wondering if there is a difference in the bars between the normal G and the sport package.
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May 7, 2006 | 10:48 PM
  #8  
Yes it did come with the sport package. But maybe I am more into feeling my car because I autox and road race all the time and push my car to its limits.
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May 7, 2006 | 11:21 PM
  #9  
Mike,

During your normal driving routine the Stillen sway bars are not noticeable. It's when you really push the car that the bars keep your car flatter through the turns.
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May 7, 2006 | 11:24 PM
  #10  
Damn..someone gotta teach me how to take the lines in a track..
I have all the performance goodies... like sways, suspension, tie bars..

Yet, my *** is being kicked by the Mazda 3 guys on the turns..
they almost don't have to brake in some turns that I have to brake hard..
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May 7, 2006 | 11:26 PM
  #11  
Congrats Russ. I don't know if I mentioned my Hotchkis install but my impression mirrors yours and others. I'm still on soft/med. But with the bars and the coupe 19s, I'm thinking my non-sport shocks/springs are a tad soft. I'm going to hold off on adjusting the bars until I get the coupe shocks and coupe rear/Z front springs on. I hope the mild upgrade is the ticket.
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May 8, 2006 | 12:09 AM
  #12  
Pushing my car is how I normally drive. I literally take streets because they are winding.
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May 8, 2006 | 02:11 AM
  #13  
when i installed my stillen sways, i had rhino ramps and they made it so easy to do the work... i did not have to remove the rear wheel(s) at all, just loosen several exhaust hanger bolts/nuts and the rear sway came out without a hitch...
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May 8, 2006 | 08:27 AM
  #14  
Quote: when i installed my stillen sways, i had rhino ramps and they made it so easy to do the work... i did not have to remove the rear wheel(s) at all, just loosen several exhaust hanger bolts/nuts and the rear sway came out without a hitch...
With the Stillen Exhaust you really need to remove the right rear wheel to make it easy and loosen the exhaust.
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May 8, 2006 | 08:33 AM
  #15  
How did the Dupont caliper paint come out? I bought some last night and was going to put it on this weekend. It looks easy I was just wondering how the quality was.

Quote: The install was fairly easy with jackstands, and air tools. The rear was a piece of cake (except for having to drop my Stillen exhaust out of the way a bit to remove the bar). The front took a bit longer due to a bolt that was stripped at the factory. We removed it and it would not go back in.

Anyways, everything went up good. I found one bolt on the passenger side endlink loose of the front sway bar. I am not sure if this might have been causing me to get vibrations at highway speeds no matter what wheels/tires I had on the car (even with them balanced to the best). But I drove the car after installing these and it was smooth as silk again.

Now performance improvement. I expected a little gain from these. But I didn't expect a dramatic gain that I did get!

The car is very responsive, and it wants to stick now in the turns with hardly any body lean. I have the sway bar set to the middle holes both front and rear. I tossed the car hard in some turns at speeds I could not take before without the car getting a bit loose. I can't wait to hit the track. I know I will be much faster in my lap times compared to the last time!

While I was at it, I bought some dupont caliper paint in black and painted my calipers as well.

Sorry about no pics, didn't feel like messing with the camera yesterday. I just wanted to get the mods on.
Reply 0