Sway Bar On Targa Cars

[bullithollywood]

Pondering if any of the experts on prime know what the rationale was for the stock front sways being smaller on NSX-Ts both NA1 (95/96) and most NA2 years out to 2002. Its a 18.3x3 on all year coupes but changed to 17.3x2.6 on NSX-Ts.

Was it for softening the ride and handling or for other structural reasons?

bc

 

[doctor z]

I am certainly no expert, but I would like to try a Wild Guess! I am thinking the chassis was substantially beefed up on TARGA models, so much so that the heavier sway bar wasnt necessary.

 

[Hapa88]

I am certainly no expert, but I would like to try a Wild Guess! I am thinking the chassis was substantially beefed up on TARGA models, so much so that the heavier sway bar wasnt necessary.

The chassis was beefed up, however the coupe is still more rigid.

A far more likely reason was because they changed the whole suspension and the smaller swaybars better match the "softer" suspension that was put on the car.
http://www.nsxprime.com/wiki/Model_Information

The NSX-T has a "targa" style roof, except Porsche owns the trademark on the word "targa" so Acura just calls it a "-T". The NSX-T has reinforcement in the cowl, A-pillar, rocker, and rear firewall. The NSX-T also has different suspension rates than the coupe. At low rates of wheel travel, T front rebound and compression rates are 7% softer. At higher rates, T rebound is 21% softer, compression is 32% softer. At high rates, T rebound is 15% softer, compression is 21% softer. Rear suspension varies similarly, while the T's (hollow) anti-roll bars are smaller and have less wall thickness

 

[bullithollywood]

Thanks, has anyone stiffened the sways without adjusting the stock spring rates? A stiff anti sway with the softer stock suspension could conceivably produce good results but its not a simple formula so empirical experience is best.

 

[docjohn]

personaly for street driving the addition of a stiffer front bar makes folks feel like the car is sportier because it rolls less and all things equal makes the car less prone to oversteer which makes the average driver feel more heroic:wink: I know of owners going to larger front and rear bars with oem springs/shocks and have nothing bad to say.

 

[WillErickson]

Thanks, has anyone stiffened the sways without adjusting the stock spring rates? A stiff anti sway with the softer stock suspension could conceivably produce good results but its not a simple formula so empirical experience is best.

I have SOS sway bars (if I recall they are actually made by Comptech) on my '95. Suspension is otherwise stock, the SOS sway bars provide much flatter cornering. Highly recommended.

 

[akira3d]

I have SOS sway bars (if I recall they are actually made by Comptech) on my '95. Suspension is otherwise stock, the SOS sway bars provide much flatter cornering. Highly recommended.

Same here on my '00....and definitely feel it is an improvement.

 

[nsxter]

I did not know the sway bars were different between coupe and targa. If this is true, someone should update the wiki chart...
http://www.nsxprime.com/wiki/Sway_and_Strut_Bars
I know the Zanardi has a bigger rear bar as well as 2003 up...

 

[shrddr]

Thanks, has anyone stiffened the sways without adjusting the stock spring rates? A stiff anti sway with the softer stock suspension could conceivably produce good results but its not a simple formula so empirical experience is best.

upgrading sway bars and upgrading springs most certainly do NOT have to be done together.

consider what stiffer springs do: they make the car more responsive under lateral load, limit body roll, potentially lower the car (which lowers the center of gravity and thus lessens weight transfer). on the flip side, they make the car's ride less compliant/comfortable.

now consider what sway bars do: by connecting the springs from the 2 sides together... they make the car more responsive under lateral load (by "borrowing" some force from the inside spring as the outside tries to compress), limit roll (for the same reason), and INCREASE weight transfer on whichever end (or both ends) of the car you have installed the new bar on (a side effect of borrowing force from the inside springs). on the flip side, going down a road, they are just as comfortable/compliant as ever.

so you can absolutely upgrade one without the other... it just depends on which pros/cons are important to you, and which ones you are willing to compromise on.

 

[bullithollywood]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm gonna put a little bit stiffer bars on both ends and a STMPO bar and lower -R bar in front but keep the stock springs. I like the cars balance and ride now but a little less roll seems in order.

We'll see how it turns out.

 

[BD]

Pondering if any of the experts on prime know what the rationale was for the stock front sways being smaller on NSX-Ts both NA1 (95/96) and most NA2 years out to 2002. Its a 18.3x3 on all year coupes but changed to 17.3x2.6 on NSX-Ts.

Was it for softening the ride and handling or for other structural reasons?

bc

Nope, it was packaged that way because Honda wanted to attract shoppers of cars such as the MB SL500. No point of making it super sporty when they have the Coupe and Type R.