For the racers out there!

[Namrups]

I am planning on taking my coupe to a track day. I have read other posts that coupe owners that have autocrossed recommend disconnecting the rear swaybar. Is that also a recommendation for a road course? My assumption is the swaybar causes the rear to become light during braking and acceleration. Am I guessing right or am I way off base?

[Jeff Kleiner]

If you stiffen the rear (which is what higher spring rates or a bar does) it will increase oversteer tendencies. Conversely stiffening the front will do the opposite and increase the tendency to understeer. Thats a broad generalization since alignment, tire size and pressure and shocks also come into play. Much of it depends on driving style and preference—-I HATE a car that pushes (understeers) and like mine loose. A bit of understeer is usually considered safer, if often slower. I’d suggest that you try it with the bar on and if you find that it’s too tail happy for your comfort level simply disconnect the link from one side.

Have fun!

Jeff

[GoDadGo]

Jeff is an avid Auto-Crosser while I'm a Straight-Line guy.

1. To add on to what Jeff said, I am not a racer nor do I intend to be so my car is set up to be very neutral.
2. My car (MK-4) neither pushes nor is it tail happy unless I'm giving it "The Left Foot Beans!"
3. It has 500 lbs springs up front and 350 lbs on the 3-link rear with a .75" front sway bar.
4. I run 255/40-17 and 295/35-18 Nitto NT-05's for a Very Nice Streetable Set-Up.
5. The reason I added the front sway bar was to create a little bit of push.
6. I did it because of my limited corner carving driving abilities.
7. You've got a lot of power (427) so please be careful.

Take any advise Sir Jeffski gives you.

[J R Jones]

What load an anti roll bar adds to one tire, it reduces from the other tire. This can result in the less-loaded tire breaking traction, especially during acceleration. When that tire looses grip, sideload can cause oversteer.
This situation is more acute in the rain and disconnecting both anti-roll bars improves overall lateral grip.
Jeff is right, an A-B-A comparison is appropriate for empirical evaluation.
jim

[Namrups]

Thanks Jeff, Go Dad and JR! I wont be trying to set any track records, just trying to give myself a set of brains on what to expect. I will heed your advice. I may never get to the speed where it requires consideration!