AP2kyle

Any MY04 owners thinking about, or have done this swap? After watching the Motorweek review on the 04, and reading the Sport Compact article, both agree the 04 understeers a lot. How dramatic would changing back to the older thicker sway bar affect handling?

Elistan

Hard to say. However, this is a cheaper route to consider - alignment. Several new owners have reported that the factory camber setting up front is ZERO degrees. Giving it a degree or so is said to help a lot with that.

Then again, you're an '04 owner yourself - do you agree that the '04 understeers a lot? If you like it as it is, I'd say leave it well enough alone.

AP2kyle

I haven't had an opportunity to track it yet...at least in my experiences with the car, the tail is very willing to come out (was going 30mph) with proper throttle.

I did hit a nasty pothole though the other day. I was going to get an alignment anyways, so I think I will dial in some sort of negative camber up front.

kitwetzler

at AutoX speeds the 04 understeers. (stock)

At track speeds, the 04 is fine. I actually prefer it and am faster in it than my old 00.

Before you muck around with the sway bars, get an alignment. Dial in -1.5 up front and -2.5 in the rear for camber, 1/16" toe in for the rear (you might want to go -1/8 total toe in) and zero in the front and try that first.

AP2kyle

[QUOTE]Originally posted by kitwetzler
at AutoX speeds the 04 understeers.

kitwetzler

my car has JRZ coilovers and is not at stock height but the same alignment settings works fine for stock height. the rear tires will wear a bit faster but it's not huge.