SVT Front Sway bar Vs. Stock

[MaverickFlyer]

So SVT actually reduced the size of the SVT's front sway bar to improve the front suspensions grip and reduce under steer. I've heard people say the opposite is true and they swap out the SVT bar and put the larger stock one back in. I have both bars and want to know which one I should use. Does anyone know which one is better and why?

[deliveryguy]

I would assume a smaller bar would increase the overall torsion of the suspension. I haven't experimented or anything; this is just based off reading. Did you notice a more "universal" bumpy ride with the SVT? Say you hit a bump on the right side while you were cornering left; did you ever feel like both your right and left hit the bump? I would think the SVT decreases understeer on fast cornering because of the increased torsion and therefore more even distribution and less roll, but I'm not positive.

[B3NN3TT]

A smaller front bar causes the front end to bite harder, so it's much easier to get tail-happy in hard cornering.

Stock balance is set for understeer at the limit, as a "safety" feature (stage 1). The larger rear bar neutralizes it a bit more (stage 2). Adding a smaller front bar on TOP of a larger rear bar gets more oversteer (stage 3).

I guess the larger rear bar and smaller front bar are designed to make the car handle as much like a RWD car as a FWD car can.

[Turbo Zetec 'tour]

Originally Posted by B3NN3TT

A smaller front bar causes the the rear end to rotate better.

Stock balance is set for understeer at the limit, as a "safety" feature (stage 1). The larger rear bar neutralizes it a bit more (stage 2). Adding a smaller front bar on TOP of a larger rear bar gets more oversteer (stage 3).

I guess the larger rear bar and smaller front bar are designed to make the car handle as neutral as possible.

Fixed

the SVT front bar with a 21mm rear bar should be pretty well balanced.

[B3NN3TT]

A stock front bar with a 21mm rear is pretty well-balanced. My rear will rotate handily with the Roush bar in place (if I force it), and I haven't touched the front bar at all.

[cawong11]

Originally Posted by B3NN3TT

A stock front bar with a 21mm rear is pretty well-balanced. My rear will rotate handily with the Roush bar in place (if I force it), and I haven't touched the front bar at all.

I never liked how my SVT rolled over the tires with its stock 20mm front bar/19mm rear bar. I always liked how the stock 1995 Contour SE's cornered with 20mm in the front, 19mm in the rear. The car was very neutral and sat flat in corners, with stock SE suspension (stiffer than all other stock Contour/Cougar suspensions).

I went with the same bar sizes on my SVT, 20mm front, 19mm rear, and it cornered just the way I like it, neutral to oversteer (my taste). Once I installed the BAT suspension, handling improved. I didn't have a need to go to a 21mm rear bar, because I was able to adjust the tire pressures to get the cornering just right.

[Jorgen]

I don't have a side by side comparison with my Stock front and SVT front bars in but I like how my car rides now (SVT front stock rear) and assume it will only get a little nicer once I drop my rear bar (aussie) in toward the end of the month.

[MaverickFlyer]

Now I'm even more confused???

I have the 21mm Bat rear bar installed. (I also have a Roush bar in the Garage) I just can't decide what to put in the Front. I want it to be as neutral as possible but a bit more oversteer wouldn't be bad as I'm used to driving the Mustang. I can't stand the understeer my car has right now. That's why I'm leaning towards the SVT front bar to get a bit more bite.

What should I do?

[sonza68]

I'd go with the SVT front bar. Not sure about the rear though as I'm only familiar with stock and Aussie.

[B3NN3TT]

Definitely do to the SVT front bar if you don't like the understeer you have now.

The individual sizes of the bars are not the whole story; it's really all about the RELATIONSHIP in sizes between the two that make the difference.