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- San Antonio, Texas
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- '15 CX-5 Miata AWD
So mazdaspeedmyk, let me ask you a question. I'm sure you would agree that when an OEM like Mazda develops suspension components for a vehicle like the CX-5, they strive for some sort of balance between roll stiffness, understeer, oversteer, etc. Presumably, there is a relationship between the front and rear A/R bars that helps to create the driving dynamics they're after. So I get that you and others here may not care for that OE ride/handling compromise and strive to improve it with aftermarket replacement parts. What I don't get is why you would go to what appears to be a monstrously stiffer rear sway bar and do nothing on the front end to create a different balance than the car originally had. Seems to me, all you're doing by dramatically increasing the rear roll stiffness is decreasing the car's understeer tendency to the point where it will probably be inclined towards oversteer. Is that your goal? Please enlighten me.
It's one thing to say that and another to actually drive and feel the difference between the oem and the aftermarket. Granted I have wider wheels, and stiffer and lower suspension, I currently run my bar on the lowest setting (+85%) which is less than the JBR lowest setting (also my AWD power on turn will be different from a FWD power on turn). If I want oversteer, I have to turn extra sharp and downshift usually (which can be purposely done to start a small rotation). With the oem bar, I could powerslide through a turn because the back was dragging enough (not screeching tires though). Now, instead of powersliding, I can actually just turn sharper without the slide. "Balance" is pretty subjective. I much prefer this handling compared to the feeling of "dragging my ass" around a corner (even though powersliding is fun it's not practical). The car is heavier in the front too (57/43). That being said, when a non JDM $$$ auto exe front sway appears, I'll buy it. I would highly recommend JBR (fwd + stiffer settings)/CorkSport(fwd/awd) sway bars for the more fun oriented driver. And the ultra racing bars for flex control.
So I would assume the front bar (which currently is not listed on your web site?) is somewhat stiffer than the OE part?
I remember seeing a development thread for a front sway for gen3 mazda 3/6 (thus cx-5). I recently saw the releases of the bars or gen 2 though. I'm guessing he is referring to the gen 3 that aren't released yet. http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...SPEED3-amp-Mazda3-Front-Sway-Bars-COMING-SOON!