Aspire swaybar on Festiva woes

[blkfordsedan]

Wouldn't a larger front sway bar increase under steer?
(note: there are no stupid questions only stupid people)

In theory, yes. It should be used in conjunction with a rear bar (if none exists) or a larger rear bar that will transfer more weight to the front. In FWD apps, you also want the smallest bar you can get away with (in proportion to the rear bar) to allow for independent wheel movement, optimum traction in corners and lessen the understeer effect. The proper proportion of front/rear bars will work together to reduce (or eliminate) body roll while still keeping both front wheels planted and have a neutral steering feel.

[Click_It]

In theory, yes. It should be used in conjunction with a rear bar

Oh yes, I forgot to say that I also run the rear aspire axle with sway bar. Yeah maybe just upgrading the front bar and leaving the back stock wouldn't do much.

[Brayy]

Hopefully im either going to get an aspire down the road or go out and purchase one.
then you can guide me through the aspy swap ??
as well as me doing mass research..
Guessing you got yours back on the road ?

[ELUSIVE]

aah im understanding now. I've got my aspire swap minus front bar. May have to grab that aswell. Just wanted to be sure and not compromise handling. Maybe both aspire bars with a bit of slight mod to the rear bar would be best

[Brayy]

Yeah im still not sure on how to do my swap.. but im going to have the whole aspire so if i need a part.. i got a part.

[TominMO]

I just installed the 5/8" threaded bar in my stock Festy rear beam. HUGE difference in cornering! No roll at all. I do have the Aspire front sway bar too.

Since I have 185/60x14 tires on rims with 38mm offset, I couldn't go with the 40.5" rear bar length. I had to cut it down to 40.0", and couldn't use the Nylock nuts, which are longer. So I used regular nuts with lots of loctite, and let it cure overnight. I only put the nuts on the outside of the beam, none on the inside, but it seems to work great.

Also, after a short drive I checked for rubbing, since the tires were still suspiciously close to the nuts. I saw very slight rubbing on one side, caused by the tire deforming when going around corners. So I installed a 3/16" spacer on each side; now there is plenty of clearance.

[71Montego]

Please take into account if you go from bad bushings in the front to anything new, either the stock sway bar with urethane or the larger Aspire you will notice a big difference.

[Aaronbrook37]

I just installed the 5/8" threaded bar in my stock Festy rear beam. HUGE difference in cornering! No roll at all. I do have the Aspire front sway bar too.

Since I have 185/60x14 tires on rims with 38mm offset, I couldn't go with the 40.5" rear bar length. I had to cut it down to 40.0", and couldn't use the Nylock nuts, which are longer. So I used regular nuts with lots of loctite, and let it cure overnight. I only put the nuts on the outside of the beam, none on the inside, but it seems to work great.

Also, after a short drive I checked for rubbing, since the tires were still suspiciously close to the nuts. I saw very slight rubbing on one side, caused by the tire deforming when going around corners. So I installed a 3/16" spacer on each side; now there is plenty of clearance.

Interesting... must be the spacers. Either way, glad to hear you got it hooked up, Tom! It's easily one of my favourite cheap mods for these cars. Paired with the Aspire beam, it's just killer. Anybody looking to do a handling upgrade without one of these first should reconsider their budgeting!

[91mcnasty]

Where did you get the poly bushings and what did it cost you?

[ELUSIVE]

^^x2. Are they a pedders item? Also, love your super cheap auto stands. Went to get a pair yesterday on sale but EVERY store in perth had sold out of the ones I wanted

[blkfordsedan]

Please take into account if you go from bad bushings in the front to anything new, either the stock sway bar with urethane or the larger Aspire you will notice a big difference.

Very true. I think with the stock Festy front sway bar, just adding urethane bushings to make it more effective would be enough to counter act any oversteer created by adding an Aspire rear beam (or threaded rod). These cars have soo much body roll in stock form that anything helps.

[Click_It]

Guessing you got yours back on the road ?

Sure I can help where possible, though I got a lot of guidance from these forums. Without this place my parts would still be in a pile I think! Yes car back on the road. Have a non-related starting issue now but hopefully I can fix that soon.

Interesting... must be the spacers. Either way, glad to hear you got it hooked up, Tom! It's easily one of my favourite cheap mods for these cars. Paired with the Aspire beam, it's just killer. Anybody looking to do a handling upgrade without one of these first should reconsider their budgeting!

True, it transforms the little Festiva doesn't it. Feels like a different car now. My only issue now is my Festiva looks like a SUV riding so high on the aspire struts & springs. Going to have to lower her, just want the new wheels on first. On a side note, the aspire springs/shocks sure is stiffer too.

Where did you get the poly bushings and what did it cost you?

Pedders here in Australia (see my other thread for part numbers). I think they sell for $30 but he handed them over for $20. Price should be much the same in USA. Certainly one of the best upgrades you can do for 20 bucks!

^^x2. Are they a pedders item? Also, love your super cheap auto stands. Went to get a pair yesterday on sale but EVERY store in perth had sold out of the ones I wanted

Hehe yeah they've had a work out in the last 12 months. I think those were just the cheapies? But I haven't had a car fall on me yet so they're fine

[Click_It]

Very true. I think with the stock Festy front sway bar, just adding urethane bushings to make it more effective would be enough to counter act any oversteer created by adding an Aspire rear beam (or threaded rod). These cars have soo much body roll in stock form that anything helps.

Yeah true. I still haven't had a chance to give my car a serious run yet but will do more driving later this week. My early impressions are much of the body roll has been eliminated. Might take the car on a 100mile round trip to Sydney today.