Sway bar question

[WAFlowers]

On my S2000 if I go from the normal staggered width setup to wide, sticky, non-staggered wheels and tires but don't upgrade the front swaybar, how much trouble will I be in?

I might not have time to source a swaybar quickly enough. Of course, I still haven't ordered the new wheels or tires yet, so it might be a moot question for March 28.

[Loren]

The car is designed to have staggered tire sizes. Putting wider tires on the front is going to give you more front grip, so instead of the hint of understeer that you want from a RWD car, you'll have a tendency toward oversteer.

Adding a larger front swaybar shifts the cornering balance more to the rear, reducing understeer and allowing you to apply more power coming out of a turn. So, you might be able to balance same-size tires all around with a big front bar.

If money is the issue, you can band-aid the lack of a larger front bar by disconnecting or removing the rear bar. That could help. You'd trade a little added body roll for better balance.

[WAFlowers]

My partial understanding is with the big, sticky tires that I could get rear wheel lift if I push hard. Given the LSD this would unbalance the car mid-corner. If I understand correctly.

[Jeremy]

I would be worried about damaging the diff from lifting a wheel.

[WAFlowers]

I would be worried about damaging the diff from lifting a wheel.

Right. I'd heard something worrisome and forgotten what. That was it!

However the issue is now irrelevant. There is no way I'll have the new wheels and tires for March 28. In fact something has come up that might redirect the money to deal with an emergency situation, but I won't know until later today or tomorrow.

It is always something.

[Native]

Adding a larger front swaybar shifts the cornering balance more to the rear, reducing understeer and allowing you to apply more power coming out of a turn. So, you might be able to balance same-size tires all around with a big front bar.

Either increase my suspension confidence or school me:
Do you mean reducing oversteer with a larger front bar?

and Bill, your life is far too exciting for me... Hope all is well.

[WAFlowers]

and Bill, your life is far too exciting for me... Hope all is well.

Sometimes I feel like my life goes from one crisis to the next. Sometime I'd like to have a month of boredom!

[Loren]

Adding a larger front swaybar shifts the cornering balance more to the rear, reducing understeer and allowing you to apply more power coming out of a turn. So, you might be able to balance same-size tires all around with a big front bar.

Either increase my suspension confidence or school me:
Do you mean reducing oversteer with a larger front bar?

Yeah, that's what I meant to said.

[Jack]

Bill i have some race tires, hankooks, if you would like to use them i can bring them to the event.
Sorry i have not been able to get back to you this week.
I have been working my butt off! 7 to 7 all week.
Then come home and fall asleep in my lazy boy chair. Yellow_Colorz_PDT_0
Or you can just co drive my car if you want ? that gives you options!

[Native]

Adding a larger front swaybar shifts the cornering balance more to the rear, reducing understeer and allowing you to apply more power coming out of a turn. So, you might be able to balance same-size tires all around with a big front bar.

Either increase my suspension confidence or school me:
Do you mean reducing oversteer with a larger front bar?

Yeah, that's what I meant to said.

ahhh. feel that? confidence boost...

[WAFlowers]

Bill i have some race tires, hankooks, if you would like to use them i can bring them to the event.

I appreciate the offer, but I think I want to stay in the street tire class.

Sorry i have not been able to get back to you this week.
I have been working my butt off! 7 to 7 all week.

Not a problem. I've been keeping similar hours and I had to delay buying the wheels and tires. If the family emergency doesn't require a cash infusion I'm going to target the April event.

Or you can just co drive my car if you want ? that gives you options!

I think we've worked out how to get my car, the trailer and lunch all to the event. But thank you anyway.

[WAFlowers]

However the issue is now irrelevant. There is no way I'll have the new wheels and tires for March 28. In fact something has come up that might redirect the money to deal with an emergency situation, but I won't know until later today or tomorrow.

A week later and I still don't know if I can spend the money on wheels and tires.

My daughters old MX-6 died. I don't know the details but the shop said the engine needs a major rebuild or just replace it. So instead she is getting her other car fixed from the accident she had with a fox going through the front grill and taking out the radiator.

Well, it turns out that she killed that engine too by running it with the busted radiator - no coolant. Exhaust gas is leaking into the coolant.

My money may go to get her a new engine so she can continue her job search.

No job = no money.
No car = no job.
No money = no car repairs (unless Daddy helps).

[Loren]

$3000 on a new engine or $1500 for a Craigslist beater...

I'd send her $1500. Yellow_Colorz_PDT_02

[WAFlowers]

Thankfully we found an $800 engine. Plus labor and fluids and bits and pieces. She should be back on the road this weekend.

However, it still comes out of my pocket. We did look for a reasonable Kijiji beater (no Craigslist in Canada) but it isn't easy to do from 1800 miles away.

And even a $1500 beater is my wheel and tire budget gone. So is the repair. And although it is a loan it might be a LONG time before I ever see it back.

[Dave-ROR]

Geez you could have bought the Grand Marquis for less than 1500 and she would have had an autocross machine with AC

[Miata GT]

This would be a good opportunity to teach her a lesson in responsibility.

[WAFlowers]

This would be a good opportunity to teach her a lesson in responsibility.

Which is why it is a loan, not a gift.

She is unemployed and needs the car to hunt for a job, among other things. Leaving her stranded accomplishes nothing and hurts us.

[buddy bodean]

You should consider it a gift with children. If they pay you back then that's great, otherwise it just causes tension when ever you are around them. If its a loan then make it official, get a promissory note and agree on exact payments and due dates. That helps avoid any mis-communication.

[WAFlowers]

You should consider it a gift with children. If they pay you back then that's great, otherwise it just causes tension when ever you are around them. If its a loan then make it official, get a promissory note and agree on exact payments and due dates. That helps avoid any mis-communication.

Agreed 100%.

[treekiller]

Bill, I thought your daughter was getting (or recently had gotten) married? or am I inventing things again?