Identity_X

Finally I had some time to install my Suspension Techniques sway bar and urethane bushings and end links. The install wasn’t very smooth as one of the old end link bolts broke and I had to cut it so I can remove it. Other than that, everything came off and on very easily. I just finished the install a few hours ago so I can’t tell of the bars performance. Went around the block, but that’s about it. Here are some before and after pics for your enjoyment.

BEFORE.......




AFTER.......

titocruzsd

looks good! i installed mine a few months ago, but i've had a problem with the 2 middle clamps bending. i also have the front one, but it looks like it'll be a pain to install, so i have it sitting in my trunk.

Identity_X

How do they bend? Do you mean they pop out from one end? As for the front one, I don't have it but I think that you install it together with the stock sway bar. If it's just sitting in your trunk you might as well pass it along

beachnut

This is on my "next mod" list too. Did the endlinks and bushings come with the sway bar? I think I should do the front bar too, just to keep things even .... and you're right - the front is supposed to work in conjunction with the oem bar. My concern here is clearance, so get that bar on Tito and let us know how many curbs and gutters you're scraping !

Identity_X

The 'next mod' list - I got one of those too. I got the bar with the endlinks and bushings from a board member, but I doubt the bar comes with them. I think those are the Energy Suspension bushings and endlinks. As for clearance for the front sway bar, I wouldn't be worried that much. I got a tie-bar that's very close to the ground and so far, I have scraped it only once. However, I drive like an old lady on bad roads.

beachnut

Well, you probably do have bad roads up there in the Windy, but why drive like that?! You need to blow that engine up so you can get your GTX - that's what I'm trying to do !!!

Identity_X

No, I got it from btaria (on the board). The bar was practicaly brand new. So those are the original bushings and endlinks that come with the bar?

titocruzsd

when i first installed them, the 2 clamps kept bending pretty bad, so i bought a brand new pair (thinking the old clamps were old and weak), and the new ones bent a little, but they seem to be holding up pretty well now. yeah, the front bar is an add-on, but the instructions are pretty much worthless, so i haven't been able to install it yet! when i get back from my vacation, i'll see about installing it, as well as the mx-3 lower rear tie bar that's sitting in my trunk.

i'm already scrapin' w/o the front bar installed! i might have to adjust my coilovers a bit when i get it installed because the roads out here are horrible!

mazdaspeedwest

I've been waiting on getting the front bar untill i get a coilover setup. I used the Energy Suspension bushings for the stock front bar, but i had poly bushings already, but the ES bolts were shorter, so it did tighten it up a bit, as i shaved the sleeve a bit too.

that and the rear ST bar, it works very well for autox. I just think it'll push too much without some good camber and stiffer springs. So prove me wrong I haven't had any bracket issues and the bar has been on for like 9 months.

protejay

IMPOSSIBLE Scott!!!

honestly, with all the stock goodies that our engine came with ('heavy-duty' cast iron block, MBSP, oil jets, oil cooler, VERY nice forged crank, forged rods, etc) its just too good an engine to even want to blow up!

beachnut

Yeah, that was a joke ... I don't really want to blow up my engine! I don't "baby" it though and usually shift 1-2-3 at ~4500. At first I was worried about the high mileage, but it seems to be holding up very well. No smoking or oil leaks yet (knock on wood).

Btw, I'm about this >< close to getting the ST bars from shox.com. You guys are a bad influence on my pocketbook!

titocruzsd

i bought my sway bars from shox.com. they're customer service was great, and when i asked them to match a price of another site that had the sway bars cheaper, they actually beat the price of the other site.

ne3ek

wow shox.com is good.. I might get those sway bars eventually

beachnut

Yep, $229 is a great price for both bars! I actually found another site that had them for $218 (Auto Salon, or something like that), but they were out of stock. Both sites want over $30 for shipping to me though !

titocruzsd

yeah, the other site i was talking about was options auto salon (optauto.com - the same site you were talking about). when i called them, they said it'd be a couple of weeks for delivery from them! shox.com actually has the sway bars in stock, and will ship them out as soon as you place your order. the guys at shox.com will hook you up with both bars for $240 shipped (if my memory serves me right). they wanted to charge me $40 for S/H until i told them that i could get them cheaper. if they try to charge you more, here's my quote request #: 9812661. they should be able to verify that they've sold them for that price before with that #. hope that helps you out.