TarkMalbot Posted September 20, 2008 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 I am thinking of having some anti roll bars fitted when I finally get round to getting the Geometry set up! I have read a few things on different places about fitting them yourself and wanted to know if it was worth doing myself or just paying somone to do it as I dont have a ramp and may not be able to jack the car up enough? I think I would have to buy them from the place that was fitting them as I dont think they would fit in the car for me to take them along. And I guess I wouldn't be able to take the originals back home with me either? Also what Anti Roll Bars would you recommend? I have seem IL Motorsports make Aluminium ones, Eibach make them too (they would match my springs) and also heard Cusco make a set for it too. Is there any others out there worth looking at? I hear the RX-8 items fit too but is it worth getting these or just getting aftermarket ones? Also heard about some of them being adjustable. Are these recommended or is it not something you change very often when they are right? Thanks very much. Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 20, 2008 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 Since Eibach make the coils they are the best bet in my opinion, if there not adjustable then get adjustable drop-links. There easy to fit but best done with the wheels on the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIH Posted September 20, 2008 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 You'll want to adjust the ARBs so the car behaves as desired. Otherwise, you're looking at changing ARBs (thicker to thinner, or vice versa) which may get expensive.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted September 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 Sorry for being a numpty but what are these "Drop Links" you speak of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 21, 2008 Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 Sorry for being a numpty but what are these "Drop Links" you speak of? Terminology differs, drop-link, stabilizer link?... Basically this> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted October 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 Thanks for the info guys. I have got rid of the 1.8 Icon and now have a 2.0 Sport. Going to get this one lowered with 30mm Eibachs and ARB kits as soon as I can. The Eibachs are adjustable at the front but not the back. What would work best to match the rear bar and the eibach springs? Hard (short lever arm 172mm) or Soft (Long lever arm 192mm) Bar diameter on the front is 26mm X 4.2mm and back is 16mm. Thanks, Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 If the front is adjustable then i would opt for hard at the rear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted November 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 You can't adjust the rear though? What I am asking is if the rear is not adjustable then would you have the front soft or hard to match the back? I could go for H&R Springs and ARB as I think they are adjustable front and rear?? Still also wondering about the 45mm drop on the Eibachs as it is just SOOOO high as standard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 You can't adjust the rear though? What I am asking is if the rear is not adjustable then would you have the front soft or hard to match the back? I could go for H&R Springs and ARB as I think they are adjustable front and rear?? Still also wondering about the 45mm drop on the Eibachs as it is just SOOOO high as standard! The front needs to be "soft" if the rear is fixed.... In truth i'm not comfortable with the H&R kit plus the adjustable ARB's... I have developed a -30mm coil kit with a higher coil rate and adjustable drop-links for a much better "predictable" balance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted November 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 That sunds interesting. Would this kit mean the car would no longer benefit from ARB? Any reason your not a fan of the H&R stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 That sunds interesting. Would this kit mean the car would no longer benefit from ARB?Any reason your not a fan of the H&R stuff? It's the 45mm drop i don't like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted November 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Oh I see. It is the Eibachs that sell a 45mm Kit as far as I know. Here are my findings: H&R say their springs are 1.4" (35mm) Front and 1.3" (33mm) Rear but mx5parts advertise them as -40mm.. H&R ARB are adjustable front and rear and the diameters are 22mm front and 16mm rear. Eibach do the Pro-Kit with 30-35mm front and 30mm rear although mx5parts advertise them as 30mm Front 25mm Rear (standard Mazda option) Also the Sportline springs 45-50mm front and rear. I guess these are the ones you don't like. Eibach ARBs are 26mm front and are adjustable and 16mm rear non adjustable. What is the RRP for your springs and are they equal drop front and rear? Would you advise ARB to go with your springs to get the best out of the handling. I want it to handle as well as it can using the original bilstein shocks. I don't think I need to replace them just for road use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Our coils are pre-stressed with a 30mm drop front/ rear, as a tuning tool i would suggest the H&R ARB's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted November 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2008 How much are your coils and drop links? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 5, 2008 Report Share Posted November 5, 2008 How much are your coils and drop links? £115+ vat, remember they are pre-stressed The drop links i need to source, probably MX5parts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted December 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 I got myself some ARBs. I thought I would try the IL Motorsport items as I was interested in the use of aluminium and the weight saving. I know they are not adjustable but at 35% stiffer than standard I feel they flatten the car out well but do not make the ride any less comfortable. They are a good price too! Thanks for all the advice though guys! Sorry Tony but I went for the Eibach springs at the same time and fitted them together. They were a good deal and I couldn't wait to get it lowered! I still need to come and see you sometime about the geometry but it is going to be about March time. Hopefully the springs should have settled by then too. I will be getting the Cosworth fitted at the same time so might have that to show you too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 Good for you....In my opinion ARB's are one of the best mods anyone can do then the lowering, on that note have you checked the front bushings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted December 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 Sure have. And they were twisted. Got a local back street garage to change them for me as I didn't have the time or equipment and noticed the bushes as soon as I picked it up. The fitting price was good though and it only took me 10 mins to release the bushes so no big deal. Ride height is pretty much spot on now and I am much happier with the looks and handling. Really looking forward to seeing how the Geometry makes it feel as I have heard 100's of "It has transformed my car" stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 In your case the Geometry will be tuned rather than recovered as on the "as sold" nc.... You may need to advance the settings to suit your mods and indeed driving requirements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 I fitted the ARB on the rear myself as it looked straight forward enough but I got the front fitted at the same time as the springs. I was just wondering if there is anything special that needed to be donw when fitting the bar to the drop link as it always seems like the drop link rubbers are twisted? They are straight in the photo below as I moved them into place to get the bolts in. Have I dont it right as I wouldn't want to wear out the drop links or something? Also any news on the adjustable drop links yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 Other than "finalizing" the torque with the wheels down, no there's nothing you need to do....... Looks good though mate .... a few hours on the cold ground fitting this must have been fun? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 Thanks for that. I fitted the ARB with the wheels on the floor anyway as far as I remember as jacking the car up with the weight off the wheels just made it more difficult. It was not as fun as fitting the chassis brace kit that came with no instructions and I had no idea where the bits went rolling about on the drive in the dark ! lol. Feels great now though! I love it. Maybe another topic is required.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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