Progress Rear Sway Bar

[too.slow.CB7]

Progress only makes a rear sway bar kit for the 90-97 accord suspension.... it comes with the sexy bronze tie bar as well... would this make a big difference in hard cornering?... is this ideal for a "auto-x" suspension set-up?... if not, what do you recommend for autocross...... -justin-

*example* http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33592


- comments wanted -

[aero]

As far as I have heard from hardcore auto-x'ers.. an aftermarket rear sway is what you want, and a stock front sway. I just installed my progress rear sway bar tonight.. just got out of the garage. I will take a few pictures tonight, and will probably test it out tomorrow. Unfortunately I have 3 weeks until another auto-x so i can really test it out, but i'll def let you know what I think during street driving.

edit: and BTW, they dont come with that fancy progress thingy.

[too.slow.CB7]

can you buy that progress thingy or no...... i think it looks sexy as hell..... let me know how it performed because im trying to build a perfect auto-x suspension and i want any advice i can get...... -justin-

ps: how was installation?

[zipcreature]

I have a Sup. Techniques rear sway bar and a stock front with polyurathane bushings and i LOVE it! I've done 3 autox's and have 2 this month planned...plus i drive "spiritedly" alot and I love it because it brings balance to the car, almost eliminating understeer and giving it very predictable oversteer when prompted.

GET A REAR SWAYBAR >>> what kind is up to you. Adjustable is probably better...but like i said the sup. tech's one is wonderful.
9 of 10

-Zipcreature

[aero]

I have a Sup. Techniques rear sway bar and a stock front with polyurathane bushings and i LOVE it! I've done 3 autox's and have 2 this month planned...plus i drive "spiritedly" alot and I love it because it brings balance to the car, almost eliminating understeer and giving it very predictable oversteer when prompted.

GET A REAR SWAYBAR >>> what kind is up to you. Adjustable is probably better...but like i said the sup. tech's one is wonderful.
9 of 10

-Zipcreature

Do all the rear sway bars mount to the chassis like the progress?

As far as the little bar thing, yeah it does look cool, maybe you could call them up and see what they can do for ya. I still havent taken mine out yet, so we will see. I know there will be an improvement.

And installation wasnt bad. You have to drill 4 holes, took me a while since I have a cheap POS drill and my drill bits were worn to crap.

[aero]

Pics as promised. I have a little less than 1cm from the bar to the muffler, so we'll see if it hits. If so I'll probably just find a piece of header wrap or muffler stuff, and put it around that part of the pipe. Still havent driven it since I am still blocked in.

BTW, I didnt end up removing the tires to install, just drove it up on the ramps.

[aero]

After My first test drive, the progress rear sway bar gets

The car seems like it has much more turn in, no matter which way you are turning. the response is great, and gives the car a much more nuetral feel. I am kinda in a city, so there arent many desolate roads, but I did find a few, and the rear just follows the front. Around one corner, I got the rear end to start squealing which it never usually does. So there is definately more oversteer which is what front wheel drive needs.

Also when taking onramp type roads, usually you whip around the corner, and then feel the car settle back down... doesnt do that at all anymore. Unfortunately, it will be the weekend of June 4-5 that I will get to put the bar to use, and see what it does on the track. Im guessing it'll take me Saturday to feel for how it handles, and to figure out where the limits are now, but I am sure that it will make my times faster. I only need 2.5 seconds on a mile long course to be tied w/the 05 evo MR thats pretty modded on race tires... he still dunno how my car keeps up with his

OOO, and BTW, the sway bar clears all 2.5" of exhaust. No banging sounds

[arrozburner]

my friend has an integra and swears by progress...he never stops talking about how good they are...i guess i'll give in and buy a sway bar from them due to your views and his...thanks for all the info.

[HondaFan81]

I have a progress rear sway bar as well that has been installed in my 91 EX 4-dr Accord for a while. I pushed aero3685 into getting a Progress rear, instead of the Suspension Techniques sway bar kit. I'm glad you like it Brandon and to those thinking about getting one, just do it!

Progress rear sway bar received:



Installed:

[SoySauceCb7]

i heard pretty good things about the bar, for auto-x often times people remove there sway bars completely cause it helps the turn in.

[aero]

i heard pretty good things about the bar, for auto-x often times people remove there sway bars completely cause it helps the turn in.

Well, im not sure what auto-x people you talk to, because I have never heard of that. If you remove the sway bars, yeah, the car will grip better for the initial second or two, after that, the car will just sway back and forth and give you lots of body roll.

[HondaFan81]

Well, im not sure what auto-x people you talk to, because I have never heard of that. If you remove the sway bars, yeah, the car will grip better for the initial second or two, after that, the car will just sway back and forth and give you lots of body roll.

Agreed. I disagree with removing the rear sway bar, not a good idea for this purpose.

[too.slow.CB7]

it would work even better if the accord sway bar came with the subframe brace but i emailed progress and it does not.... -justin-

*PS: i dont think it would be smart to remove suspension pieces or anything that stiffens the chasis for autocross/road racing*

[aero]

BUMPITY BUMP

This weekend was autocross, and all i can say is WOW. I dont know how to explain how much of a difference it is, but its just like...you dont know the rear of the car is there when turning. It puts the car in a much more neutral state, and you can get oversteer kinda easily if you want it. I messed around with tire/suspension settings and still dont have it down as well as I want to, but today went pretty well. Around a front sweeper, I went in a little hot, jabbed the brakes, and got the rear end to slide out just a little bit. No wild and crazy drifting, but it was just hangin' loose. I also got it to do it at the back of the track.

Our tracks always have the same finish, picture below. Up until today, I would have to slow down significantly before entering it, but today I just had to set up correctly and could almost go WOT through the whole section. (section looks harder than it is, especially when you go into it at 30-60mph)



So to all that are borderline on getting a progress rear sway.. nows the time, because its an excellent improvement to our cars. My next project is going to be a front upper strut brace that is solid, connects to the firewall, and is swap compatable.

edit: tomorrow is the actual racing and points that go towards the end of the year. So Im hoping the sti and the evo will be there, then i can really see how much the bar will help. I need to get my 1st place finish to keep on top of my class.

[aero]

Well, I will update again.. with nothing but love for the progress rear sway. Unfortunately, it was a rainy day to begin, but then it kinda cleared up, and got a chance to run. My first time was a low 83 (mile long course, covered with water for the moment). 83 didnt seem too appetizing to me until i kept hearing 87....106.....85.....94. There was only one car in my class, but he started out with a high 84. He dropped it down to an 80 running on a dry surface. Thankfully my last run was on a dry surface, and managed it down to 78.6.

The car is so much more responsive now, and just handles much better. My weak link is now the tires which hopefully I will be able to find some r-compounds and an extra set of wheels.

As far as suspension upgrades, I would rank it behind an upper front strut brace ONLY because those can be bought for 30 bucks and the rear sway was 170 shipped. But if you were only to do one, I would say rear sway.