Car Handling with only Front Sway - Focaljet

**InFocusTraSTi** · 07-03-2008, 02:05 PM

Hey guys, I am planning on running a 2006 focus ST on autoX HS class and was wondering how would the handle be with just front sway. The rules say you can only change front sway and not rear. If anyone has experience with this what bars would you suggest. I know usually a bigger front sway will give you understeer but if the overall grip is better then it would be worth it. ANYTHING TO GET FASTER LAPS!!!

Thanks in ADvance

**Z63R** · 07-03-2008, 02:09 PM

I wouldn't bother going bigger on the front unless you can also run a limited-slip or atb diff. A bigger fornt sway will have a tendency to unweight the inside wheel and bone you on corner exit under power.

**RallyRacer** · 07-03-2008, 02:32 PM

You can run just the front, but be prepared to push in every turn. If you install a larger front bar without a rear bar, you will not get the car to rotate well enough to take advantage of the better front grip. A stock Focus will understeer enough as it is, once you remove the rear bar the understeer is worse.
With the rule being you cannot change the rear bar, I would just install an SVT rear bar, they would never know as it is a stock peice and looks just like all other stock Focus sway bars.
.

**InFocusTraSTi** · 07-03-2008, 02:34 PM

It is the ST so i'm not sure that the SVT and ST are different Sways...

**RallyRacer** · 07-03-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFocusTraSTi

It is the ST so i'm not sure that the SVT and ST are different Sways...

You might be right. The ST probably uses the SVT bar in the rear.
Either way, don't remove or downsize the rear bar for autox or road racing. If you are dirt or snow racing, then go ahead and remove the rear bar to find better handling.

**OmniFocus** · 07-03-2008, 04:05 PM

The ST does indeed have the SVT's 21mm/21mm bar combo.

If you're building an agressive H Stock car out of an ST, consider a set of Konis as well.

You CAN run a bigger front bar, but be prepared for a drastic change in driving style to adjust for it. A big bar will allow far superior transition times, but greatly harms corner exit traction.

**InFocusTraSTi** · 07-03-2008, 07:48 PM

What size would you go on the front and not over do it.

**MichaelXi** · 07-03-2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFocusTraSTi

What size would you go on the front and not over do it.

Without up-sizing the rear bar (Which I know you can't do), I'd say None.
Koni's will be your best H-Stock legal mod besides tires.

**InFocusTraSTi** · 07-08-2008, 12:49 PM

Any ideas on where to find Struts for the 06 ST?

07-03-2008, 02:05 PM	#1
InFocusTraSTi TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 195	Car Handling with only Front Sway Hey guys, I am planning on running a 2006 focus ST on autoX HS class and was wondering how would the handle be with just front sway. The rules say you can only change front sway and not rear. If anyone has experience with this what bars would you suggest. I know usually a bigger front sway will give you understeer but if the overall grip is better then it would be worth it. ANYTHING TO GET FASTER LAPS!!! Thanks in ADvance

07-03-2008, 02:09 PM	#2
Z63R Official [FJ] Distinguished Advisor Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 20,050	Re: Car Handling with only Front Sway I wouldn't bother going bigger on the front unless you can also run a limited-slip or atb diff. A bigger fornt sway will have a tendency to unweight the inside wheel and bone you on corner exit under power. __________________ . “The whole history of science has been the gradual realization that events do not happen in an arbitrary manner, but that they reflect a certain underlying order, which may or may not be divinely inspired.” - Stephen Hawking 2.3 Duratec ZX3 + some bits + another pic :-)~

07-03-2008, 02:32 PM	#3
RallyRacer TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Burnsville, MN Posts: 748	Re: Car Handling with only Front Sway You can run just the front, but be prepared to push in every turn. If you install a larger front bar without a rear bar, you will not get the car to rotate well enough to take advantage of the better front grip. A stock Focus will understeer enough as it is, once you remove the rear bar the understeer is worse. With the rule being you cannot change the rear bar, I would just install an SVT rear bar, they would never know as it is a stock peice and looks just like all other stock Focus sway bars. . __________________ 2001 ZX3 Infra-Red, Auto Power: Volant Ram Air, 65mm FC TB, 2000 ported intake, SVT header, Random ORP, Bosal flex, Borla exhaust, Esslinger UDP, FocusSport Xcal2(FR stage1 cams and gears to be installed) Handling: Energy bushings everywhere, Koni Adjustable dampers, H&R sport springs, SVT rear swaybar, FC rear toe links Braking: SVT brake kit, Hawk HPS pads F&R, Aeroquip braided lines

07-03-2008, 02:34 PM	#4
InFocusTraSTi TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 195	Re: Car Handling with only Front Sway It is the ST so i'm not sure that the SVT and ST are different Sways...

07-03-2008, 04:05 PM	#6
OmniFocus Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mowin' down the cones. (CA) Posts: 26,140	Re: Car Handling with only Front Sway The ST does indeed have the SVT's 21mm/21mm bar combo. If you're building an agressive H Stock car out of an ST, consider a set of Konis as well. You CAN run a bigger front bar, but be prepared for a drastic change in driving style to adjust for it. A big bar will allow far superior transition times, but greatly harms corner exit traction. __________________ Check out the shiny new PirateNinjasWithLasers.com for the latest updates in 24 Hours of LeMons goodness. Vacuum Vulture Racing: We put the "rad" in scrub radius, and the "ack" in ackerman.

07-03-2008, 07:48 PM	#7
InFocusTraSTi TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 195	Re: Car Handling with only Front Sway What size would you go on the front and not over do it.

07-08-2008, 12:49 PM	#9
InFocusTraSTi TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 195	Re: Car Handling with only Front Sway Any ideas on where to find Struts for the 06 ST?

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