progress rear sway bar
progress rear sway bar
guys, i hate the stickies that populate the top of the general subject areas. it's the fastest way to kill a thread because our visual memory knows allows us to skim right over them.
with that, i think that the progress bar is great. here's the list of why it sucks:
1. non adjustable.
2. adds 8 lbs (i'm guessing) of unsprung weight.
my recommendations to progress -
make an adjustable bar. i would, without hesitation, pay double the price for adjustability AND a stronger spring constant.
why it's great:
1. this bar does a great job of controlling the rear suspension's motion, considering it's just a bar added to stock suspension components. for those of you that feel that the rear dampers are valved too soft, this bar adds a touch of progressive spring rate as a crude substitute for more tightly valved dampers. basically, i love the bar because mid-corner excursions caused by bumps/ high-speed valve events are so much, much more controlled compared to stock.
2. rear roll is, as expected, reduced.
3. the spring constant on this bar, in my amateur opinion, is suitable for the springs i currently have on the car (OEM). meaning: corner-exit activity is still predictable with only a slight tendency to excite the car to center-steering above bone stock levels. DISCLAIMER: this is not set in stone, the speeds and steady state cornering my cars achieve on-track are echelons above what i'll let myself do on random roads without a team on nextel walkie talkies at 0200 on a wednesday, so this is subject to change.
4. overall confidence improved in a very meaningful way. as in, the price i paid (170 to get it next day air) was a steal. the stock suspension isn't terrible, but that's about as far as i would say it is in terms of development (again, amateur opinion). this bar really makes me feel more confident to push the car, not because i can achieve more and better controlled rotation than before (and i have), but because i psychologically/ proprioceptivally believe that i can actually push this car and do it in a controlled and safe manner.
who is this bar for?
-those that cannot/ don't want to go with lowering springs for road quality concerns.
-those that desire additional rotation. i'm going to be honest, that just ain't the objective of most of the people on here. but i'm putting it out there. but it is mild at best, and very short lived when on stock rear spings.
-those that don't like the stock suspension's excessive and poorly controlled motion over mid-corner bumps/ what-not.
-folks that are terrible at doing their own mechanical work (like me).
-folks on a budget.
don't get this bar if:
1. you drag race and need to absolutely minimize weight.
2. have to choose between ramen or a sway bar. choose ramen.
(mods, please do not merge this into the progress sway bar sticky. stickies are the fastest way to get people to overlook important/ new info. if no one is interested in my opinions, just let this thread get old and sink to the bottom. thanks.)
with that, i think that the progress bar is great. here's the list of why it sucks:
1. non adjustable.
2. adds 8 lbs (i'm guessing) of unsprung weight.
my recommendations to progress -
make an adjustable bar. i would, without hesitation, pay double the price for adjustability AND a stronger spring constant.
why it's great:
1. this bar does a great job of controlling the rear suspension's motion, considering it's just a bar added to stock suspension components. for those of you that feel that the rear dampers are valved too soft, this bar adds a touch of progressive spring rate as a crude substitute for more tightly valved dampers. basically, i love the bar because mid-corner excursions caused by bumps/ high-speed valve events are so much, much more controlled compared to stock.
2. rear roll is, as expected, reduced.
3. the spring constant on this bar, in my amateur opinion, is suitable for the springs i currently have on the car (OEM). meaning: corner-exit activity is still predictable with only a slight tendency to excite the car to center-steering above bone stock levels. DISCLAIMER: this is not set in stone, the speeds and steady state cornering my cars achieve on-track are echelons above what i'll let myself do on random roads without a team on nextel walkie talkies at 0200 on a wednesday, so this is subject to change.
4. overall confidence improved in a very meaningful way. as in, the price i paid (170 to get it next day air) was a steal. the stock suspension isn't terrible, but that's about as far as i would say it is in terms of development (again, amateur opinion). this bar really makes me feel more confident to push the car, not because i can achieve more and better controlled rotation than before (and i have), but because i psychologically/ proprioceptivally believe that i can actually push this car and do it in a controlled and safe manner.
who is this bar for?
-those that cannot/ don't want to go with lowering springs for road quality concerns.
-those that desire additional rotation. i'm going to be honest, that just ain't the objective of most of the people on here. but i'm putting it out there. but it is mild at best, and very short lived when on stock rear spings.
-those that don't like the stock suspension's excessive and poorly controlled motion over mid-corner bumps/ what-not.
-folks that are terrible at doing their own mechanical work (like me).
-folks on a budget.
don't get this bar if:
1. you drag race and need to absolutely minimize weight.
2. have to choose between ramen or a sway bar. choose ramen.
(mods, please do not merge this into the progress sway bar sticky. stickies are the fastest way to get people to overlook important/ new info. if no one is interested in my opinions, just let this thread get old and sink to the bottom. thanks.)
Last edited by kennef; Dec 31, 2007 at 07:01 PM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 315
From: Dorado, Puerto Rico
I personally road race my fit, and I attended my first even without this bar. On the second event the car was a totally different animal. It was extremely willing to rotate, all it wanted was a slight input from the steering wheel a bit of feathering on the gas pedal and the rear end was off and away.
And as for the spring constant on this bar its very well suited to stiffer aftermarket springs.
I do agree that it is very heavy, but as you properly stated, this added weight helps control the stock shocks a little better, especially with stiff lowering springs like my Skunk2s. My rear end would bounce around like crazy over large bumps, now it's much more controlled. Of course, proper shocks would be worlds better but this effect will sufice in the meanwhile.
And as for the spring constant on this bar its very well suited to stiffer aftermarket springs.
I do agree that it is very heavy, but as you properly stated, this added weight helps control the stock shocks a little better, especially with stiff lowering springs like my Skunk2s. My rear end would bounce around like crazy over large bumps, now it's much more controlled. Of course, proper shocks would be worlds better but this effect will sufice in the meanwhile.
im not sure if i need any more rotation than wat i have now with the
DF210's for street. car turns well, quite flat. i suppose if you're autoxing
it'll come in handy for very sharp turns... but for street it might get too
tail happy.
DF210's for street. car turns well, quite flat. i suppose if you're autoxing
it'll come in handy for very sharp turns... but for street it might get too
tail happy.
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 315
From: Dorado, Puerto Rico
Actually the sway bar helps control straight line stability also. At least thats how I've observed it. This bar literally transforms your car into something else handling wise. Its more stable in a straight line, it helps tame harder aftermarket lowering springs due to the added weight (it helps with the shock's rebound), the steering response is much snappier than before. I'd highly recomed it even if you don't track your car. Obviously where this bar REALLY shines is on the track but this is one mod you can enjoy on the street as well.
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,031
From: San Fran
x2 Thanks for the write-up!
And i do agree with u on the Stickys, it becomes soo long thats its nearly impossible to get the info u need..
And i do agree with u on the Stickys, it becomes soo long thats its nearly impossible to get the info u need..
I got a few pics at my blog on the install if you want to see what he is talking about visually.
Honda Fit DIY and Reviews by smeister13: DIY: Install Progress Rear Swabar for Honda Fit
Honda Fit DIY and Reviews by smeister13: DIY: Install Progress Rear Swabar for Honda Fit
Actually the sway bar helps control straight line stability also. At least thats how I've observed it. This bar literally transforms your car into something else handling wise. Its more stable in a straight line, it helps tame harder aftermarket lowering springs due to the added weight (it helps with the shock's rebound), the steering response is much snappier than before. I'd highly recomed it even if you don't track your car. Obviously where this bar REALLY shines is on the track but this is one mod you can enjoy on the street as well.
feedback i get from my steering is a little dull/numb.
ok, will give it a go for me too and will let you know how it does.
i mean it's only 140+ shipping i suppose its worth a try. plus
i want to cut my rear bump stops a little bit and was planning
to work on the car anyway, so kill 2 birds with one stone.
damn it, now im thinking i should get the rear cusco tower bar too...lol
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 391
From: Melbourne, FL
The issues were the springs were being pushed in and causing rubbing and loud noises. The hardware kit we sell to fix it uses differant hardware that can correct the issues. Since then neither of the many Fits around here have had issues or complaints.The hardware progress includes is way to huge and not even designed right. We have diagrams to show both progress hardware and ours.
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 165
From: San Diego
The issues were the springs were being pushed in and causing rubbing and loud noises. The hardware kit we sell to fix it uses differant hardware that can correct the issues. Since then neither of the many Fits around here have had issues or complaints.The hardware progress includes is way to huge and not even designed right. We have diagrams to show both progress hardware and ours.
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 599
From: Puerto Rico
I personally road race my fit, and I attended my first even without this bar. On the second event the car was a totally different animal. It was extremely willing to rotate, all it wanted was a slight input from the steering wheel a bit of feathering on the gas pedal and the rear end was off and away.
And as for the spring constant on this bar its very well suited to stiffer aftermarket springs.
I do agree that it is very heavy, but as you properly stated, this added weight helps control the stock shocks a little better, especially with stiff lowering springs like my Skunk2s. My rear end would bounce around like crazy over large bumps, now it's much more controlled. Of course, proper shocks would be worlds better but this effect will sufice in the meanwhile.
And as for the spring constant on this bar its very well suited to stiffer aftermarket springs.
I do agree that it is very heavy, but as you properly stated, this added weight helps control the stock shocks a little better, especially with stiff lowering springs like my Skunk2s. My rear end would bounce around like crazy over large bumps, now it's much more controlled. Of course, proper shocks would be worlds better but this effect will sufice in the meanwhile.
P/D dime cuando hay otro evento pa ir a verlos ya que aun no puedo correr $$$$
