[MR2] MR2 - a forgiving car

[bsdavies at q.com]

Thanks for all the replies. I do have a spare bar somewhere from a 85 we pulled appart. Fabricating mounts shouldnt be a problem so I think I will try it.
We have an 85 too which we also track. It handles quite differently, but it has different shocks, wheels tires, so how much is the sway bar is anyones guess.
I believe that Toyota dropped the sway bar in 86 because too many people who drove beyond their limits got into trouble with the back end coming round. My guess is that they felt the car sliding, got right off the gas or even braked, and the bar magnified the effects of the back end suddenly getting that extra load. Hopefully I am better than that :)

cheers
Barry

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joel" <priamyd at comcast.net>
To: "MR2 List" <mr2 at mr2.com>
Cc: bsdavies at q.com, "Thomas Ethen" <cacanne at chibardun.net>, wbrandt1 at sbcglobal.net
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2011 10:29:18 PM
Subject: Re: [MR2] MR2 - a forgiving car

Barry,

I could feel the difference between on my MKI Mr2 when the sway bar was 
connected or not.

I would state (with gross personal bias) that any vehicle without a rear 
sway bar simply does not handle correctly, or the driver is numb to the 
feel of the vehicle.

Originally, my 86 Mr2 did not come with a sway bar, but the previous 
owner did put one on.  Purely for the sake of the experience I drove it 
without it - I felt a very specific lack of control of the rear of the 
Mr2 without it, let alone the dreaded onset of unwanted understeer.  The 
same overall feeling can be experienced with a rear sway bar that does 
not react correctly - I know sounds weird, but I can feel when the rear 
sway bar becomes active and when it is not.  Its also a matter of when 
the strut/spring settles to the point of 'calling upon' the rear sway 
bar to perform its task.

The best piece of advice that I could pass along to any person wanting 
to upgrade their sway bars - get a matched set.  For instance, if you 
choose to run the factory front, also use the factory rear.  If you get 
the Suspension Techniques front, also get the rear.

If you choose to get a larger rear sway bar, you'll induce snap 
oversteer at the limit and the Mr2 would not feel as balanced or 
predictable during cornering.

So, in short, I would recommend adding the factory rear sway bar.  If 
you like the impact to the handling, look into a matched pair of 
upgraded sway bars, as they will decrease the amount of body roll you 
experience during cornering, and only mildly impact the overall ride 
harness when going over basic road imperfections.

- Joel -



bsdavies at q.com wrote:
> Tom, that brings up a question:
> I started driving my MK1 on track little while ago. It is an 87 and doesnt have the rear sway bar. I can tell when the rear end is starting to let go.
> Should I add a sway bar? What difference will I notice? 
> thanks
> Barry
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Thomas Ethen" <cacanne at chibardun.net>
> To: wbrandt1 at sbcglobal.net, "MR2 List" <mr2 at mr2.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2011 4:51:46 PM
> Subject: Re: [MR2] MR2 - a forgiving car
>
> I find great joy in leading someone that is tailgating me into a corner as I
> slowly accelerate until they loose control of their vehicle. Sounds like you
> had the same kind of fun, that is built into the MKI, especially the 85's
> with that rear sway bar.
>
> Tom
>
>
> On 6/29/11 5:38 PM, "William Brandt" <wbrandt1 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>   
>> Well might as well tell you my story yesterday - leaving work - it is pouring
>> rain - people can't drive in it it seems.
>>
>> I am on an onramp with a nice 120 degree cloverleaf turn - I notice the car
>> just starting to slip so I back off a bit - guy driving some pickup on my
>> inner lane loses it and I see him spin into the guard rail.
>>
>> Bill
>>     
>
>
>
>
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