retro

I have ordered Bilstein PSS9 adjustable coilovers and they should be here by the end of the month.

So out with the Mazdaspeed suspension springs/shocks/swaybars and in with the Bilsteins and return of the Ric Shaw adjustable swaybars. The Mazdaspeed set up has served me well for DD and track and was great for a plug in and play at a time when I knew less about the car, suspension and tracking than I do now. I think I now have sufficient knowledge to make necessary adjustments for daily drive, wet/dry track, smooth bumpy track etc.

Except for maybe the adjustable swaybars.

I believe they can be used for dialling in or out oversteer/understeer and also they have a part to play when grip is improved say when using semislicks. Not sure about this yet though. It crossed my mind that maybe not a whole lot of adjusting goes on. That the majority of people just find the setting they like (appreciating a stiffer bar than OEM) and leave it at that. Is this the case? Or do many of you actually adjust your swaybar settings - particularly those that change to semislicks for the track?

I already have a set of adjustable swaybars in the garage so it is not a question of is it worth spending the money to get some - I guess I am just curious as to whether they are really needed that much.

Cheers
Alan

swoope

iTrader: (5)

they are good. after you get everything dialed in you can fine tune with them.

and track temps do matter..

beers

retro

Yes - the adjustability does seem to be more for fine tuning.

Swoope - not sure what you mean by saying track temps do matter - I assume in relation to having adjustable swaybars?

Cheers
Alan

matt13b

I have adjustable sway bars and shocks and have never touched them. I wouldn't know where to start to make adjustments. I think on my next car I will pay extra for the shocks that have the damper adjustment from inside the car.

Spin9k

I have the Whiteline adjustables, and after trying different setting over one track season, then getting coilovers & corner balanced the next season, settled on what I liked, which was a setting that made for neutral handling w/my setup.

The Cusco coilovers w/eCon I got give an easy way to fine tune from the comfort of the driver's seat for different tracks and weather conditions. I use that all the time, it makes a noticeable difference in front to rear balance (over/understeer). I would never get manual adjustable coilovers after using the electronic adj type. Occasionally I also use tire pressure to adjust for some track conditions, overuse of tires on one side of the car, things like that.

retro

Thanks for input guys. Having adjustability at least gives options - I will see over time I guess if I will use it or just find a setting I like and leave it.

Cheers

Revolver

I've got the Whiteline adjustables with the MS shocks and springs - I set the sways to how I liked it and left them that way. I suppose you could play with them but I figure it's the nut behind the wheel that needs the most input!

retro

Just to pick this up again. I ended up having the Mazdaspeed swaybars switched for the Hotchkiss swaybars - 3 way adjustable front and rear.

The Ric Shaw adjustable swaybars I had were sold to Vanq on the .com.au forum. Basically I decided to go with adjustable swaybars that are also much stiffer. I will be looking forward to the next track day in the New Year to see how it all goes.

Interesting aside - I also had the stock endlinks switched for Autoexe adjustable endlinks. No probs at all in the front and easily adjusted to ensure no load on the swaybar. Rears were a bit different though because if adjusted too low the top part of the endlink touches the link for the adustable headlight sensor - I didn't even know I had one!

From what I understand they are not on all models. But if you do have one you might want to check first if adjustable endlinks in the rear will be worth it if they cannot be fully optimised.

Anyway, thought I would mention it.

Alan