Modifying Rear Swaybar Bracket - Focaljet

**PhocusZX3** · 10-10-2006, 10:57 PM

Quick question on the following rule:

Quote:

18.6 Sway bar brackets
Alternate (non-Ford) sway bar brackets are permitted provided that they provide no advantage other than increased durability. Motorsport subframe M-5035-ZX3 with adjustable camber and stabar brackets is allowed

While I am a ways off from actually getting my '07 ZX3 into SpecFocus, I need to make sure everything I do on this car that isn't a bolt-on is compliant with Spec rules. First fix on my list is the suspension, starting with the FRPP rear subframe for the camber adjustment and the sway bar mounting points (mine has none). As I am sure you are all aware, the attachment point for the sway bar to the subframe isn't the most sturdy of designs (see thread in Suspension Forum regarding the torn mount).

It was my plan to have a chassis fabricator/weld box in the mounts from behind the subframe. Per the rules an alternate sway bar bracket is allowed. Is this in reference to the aluminum clamp-style bracket offered by biscuitninja on the board, or is this more in reference to a completely custom fabricated mount that welds in the existing spot on the subframe?

Is anyone here running different rear swaybar mounts or has anyone reinforced the existing ones?

**f2focus** · 10-11-2006, 05:07 AM

On our cars we have left the stock mounts alone and never had the need to reinforce them. I would suggest to run bisuitninja's as they should do just fine for Spec Focus.

**68 Touring Car** · 10-11-2006, 07:33 AM

We run the FRPP rear X member on all 3 cars. http://www.capaldiracing.com/store/product.aspx?id=575

You really can not beat the price and the added adjustablity of the rear camber.

**PhocusZX3** · 10-11-2006, 10:56 PM

Out of curiosity, which sway bars are you guys running in the rear?

**f2focus** · 10-12-2006, 01:36 AM

We are running the our F2 sway bar and I think Leo is running the Eibach one.
We will make our sway bars again later this year, we made some for the Mazda3 and Volvo S40 and we tried a thicker hollow bar and it works great on the cars. So we will do the same for the Focus.

**Ted7rns** · 10-13-2006, 05:20 PM

Rules states you can use an OEM rear sway-bar (OEM, SVT), but are allowed to change to the 25mm rear bar. I believe the fastest SF will all have the 25mm rear sway-bar. I think anything less would cause the car not to handle as well. It's so important to rotate this cars for racing.

Now, Leo's cars have taken it a step further and has switch all his cars to the 18mm Front bar as well. Which is something I would also look into.

About the brackets, You can make or buy aftermarket brackets as long as they provide no advantage other than increased durability. Now, of course if it's more durable I'm sure it's also going to make the Sway-bar more work better. But, if your bracket can be proven it’s more durable it will most likely be allowed.

You can also get an SVT LCA that increases durability or you can get the FRPP X member which might be the best deal of them all.

**68 Touring Car** · 10-14-2006, 08:16 AM

Ted, Your Back.

**Ted7rns** · 10-16-2006, 02:23 PM

Yeah, I'm back

**JimmySolo2** · 10-21-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f2focus

We are running the our F2 sway bar and I think Leo is running the Eibach one.
We will make our sway bars again later this year, we made some for the Mazda3 and Volvo S40 and we tried a thicker hollow bar and it works great on the cars. So we will do the same for the Focus.

Will you be selling a 25mm rear bar alone [unlike eibach] for less than Eibach? If so I am there.

**f2focus** · 10-22-2006, 04:02 PM

Yes we will be making the same sway bar like before but it will be a thicker wall tube so it will be stiffer.

**supersonicsvt** · 10-27-2006, 02:16 PM

^^^^Will it be the same price? My uninstalled F2 bar is still in the wrapper and I'd rather have the stiffer one for sure.
Howse about a real good deal.......

:???? Then I could sell mine and recover a bit of $$$

Or maybe you could sell me just the bar - I have the rest of the hardware....?

10-11-2006, 05:07 AM	#2
f2focus Associate Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 2,002	Re: Modifying Rear Swaybar Bracket On our cars we have left the stock mounts alone and never had the need to reinforce them. I would suggest to run bisuitninja's as they should do just fine for Spec Focus. __________________ Authorized Dealer for: Brembo Brakes, Clutchnet, Vogtland, Eibach, Koni, Tokico, Ingalls, Ireland Engineering, Crower Cams, Supertech, ACT Clutch, ARP Studs, Kyowa Wheels, Nitto Tires, Toyo Tires, StopTech Brakes, Centric Brakes, TurboSmart, Cosworth, Street Scene. www.f2focus.com Vehicles: 2008 Ford Fusion, 2009 Ford Flex (Coming), 2010 Mazda 3 (Coming)

10-11-2006, 07:33 AM	#3
68 Touring Car Premier Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Motor City Posts: 1,185	Re: Modifying Rear Swaybar Bracket We run the FRPP rear X member on all 3 cars. http://www.capaldiracing.com/store/product.aspx?id=575 You really can not beat the price and the added adjustablity of the rear camber. __________________ Leo NASA Spec Focus Series Director www.capaldiracing.com "Quitters Never Win"

10-11-2006, 10:56 PM	#4
PhocusZX3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Tampa/Brandon, FL Posts: 5,801	Re: Modifying Rear Swaybar Bracket Out of curiosity, which sway bars are you guys running in the rear? __________________ 1984 Ford SSP Mustang (my daily driver) 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit (wife's daily driver)

10-12-2006, 01:36 AM	#5
f2focus Associate Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 2,002	Re: Modifying Rear Swaybar Bracket We are running the our F2 sway bar and I think Leo is running the Eibach one. We will make our sway bars again later this year, we made some for the Mazda3 and Volvo S40 and we tried a thicker hollow bar and it works great on the cars. So we will do the same for the Focus. __________________ Authorized Dealer for: Brembo Brakes, Clutchnet, Vogtland, Eibach, Koni, Tokico, Ingalls, Ireland Engineering, Crower Cams, Supertech, ACT Clutch, ARP Studs, Kyowa Wheels, Nitto Tires, Toyo Tires, StopTech Brakes, Centric Brakes, TurboSmart, Cosworth, Street Scene. www.f2focus.com Vehicles: 2008 Ford Fusion, 2009 Ford Flex (Coming), 2010 Mazda 3 (Coming)

10-13-2006, 05:20 PM	#6
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,229	Re: Modifying Rear Swaybar Bracket Rules states you can use an OEM rear sway-bar (OEM, SVT), but are allowed to change to the 25mm rear bar. I believe the fastest SF will all have the 25mm rear sway-bar. I think anything less would cause the car not to handle as well. It's so important to rotate this cars for racing. Now, Leo's cars have taken it a step further and has switch all his cars to the 18mm Front bar as well. Which is something I would also look into. About the brackets, You can make or buy aftermarket brackets as long as they provide no advantage other than increased durability. Now, of course if it's more durable I'm sure it's also going to make the Sway-bar more work better. But, if your bracket can be proven it’s more durable it will most likely be allowed. You can also get an SVT LCA that increases durability or you can get the FRPP X member which might be the best deal of them all. __________________ NASA Spec Focus Series Director \| NASA HPDE Instructor 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue <23>

10-14-2006, 08:16 AM	#7
68 Touring Car Premier Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Motor City Posts: 1,185	Re: Modifying Rear Swaybar Bracket Ted, Your Back. __________________ Leo NASA Spec Focus Series Director www.capaldiracing.com "Quitters Never Win"

10-16-2006, 02:23 PM	#8
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,229	Re: Modifying Rear Swaybar Bracket Yeah, I'm back __________________ NASA Spec Focus Series Director \| NASA HPDE Instructor 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue <23>

10-22-2006, 04:02 PM	#10
f2focus Associate Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 2,002	Re: Modifying Rear Swaybar Bracket Yes we will be making the same sway bar like before but it will be a thicker wall tube so it will be stiffer. __________________ Authorized Dealer for: Brembo Brakes, Clutchnet, Vogtland, Eibach, Koni, Tokico, Ingalls, Ireland Engineering, Crower Cams, Supertech, ACT Clutch, ARP Studs, Kyowa Wheels, Nitto Tires, Toyo Tires, StopTech Brakes, Centric Brakes, TurboSmart, Cosworth, Street Scene. www.f2focus.com Vehicles: 2008 Ford Fusion, 2009 Ford Flex (Coming), 2010 Mazda 3 (Coming)

10-27-2006, 02:16 PM	#11
supersonicsvt Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,085	Re: Modifying Rear Swaybar Bracket ^^^^Will it be the same price? My uninstalled F2 bar is still in the wrapper and I'd rather have the stiffer one for sure. Howse about a real good deal.......:???? Then I could sell mine and recover a bit of $$$ Or maybe you could sell me just the bar - I have the rest of the hardware....? __________________ '02 Sonic Blue SVT #504

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