Tuning effects on handling...???

[Bassik]

I've mention a few times on here that I wanted to get a sway bar on the front but having not heard from anyone's experience it got me thinking that if I were to ever get a Stage 1 Tune done plus the sway bar would the handling change significantly?
Having way to much power to the front wheels would cause excessive under steering and the traction control light would pop on more frequently? Also others might have coil overs or springs these would also be applicable too.

So I'm guessing not many have a front sway bar but I know a fair few have a tune done, does having more power increase under steer or lose of traction when on spirited drives?

Sorry if this should be in the Tuning thread however it is specific to Polo Gti's handling which is what I'm interested in.

[T Go]

Wouldn't you want to get a bigger rear not front sway to reduce understeer???

[Ryan_R]

TCS lights comes on more often if racing away from a standstill or if asking for lots of power in the wet. No real issues in cornering (just take the corner at the same speed, but you'll be able to power out quicker, just make sure you've got some nice sporty tyres). Being a lighter car you shouldn't struggle too much with understeer unless you're on a track.

[seangti]

does having more power increase under steer or lose of traction when on spirited drives?

Only if you're exceeding the grip of the tyres will you get understeer. Adding more power can make it more difficult to find that balance between on the limit driveability and going beyond the limit, particularly when applying throttle with steering lock. But the vehicle "handling" won't change with a tune, just your ability to exceed tyre grip.

As T Go suggested, if it's understeering a rear sway bar can help to get the balance, start with a soft setting and make changes as you feel necessary. It's also somewhat dependent on driving and braking style (and roads, etc). Trail brake into a corner will get weight over the front so less likely to understeer at corner entry, excessive throttle on the way out will also understeer as there's only so much grip to drive and steer.

To the best of my knowledge and others can correct me, but adding a front sway bar isn't likely to improve off the line traction. A sway bar works when there is opposite force being applied. check out the bottom picture of the anti-roll bar HERE (sway bar) in action to see how/why it works. Ignore that actual product itself, it's the diagrams that are of relevance.

Hope that helps somewhat.

[gavs]

Bassik already has a rear anti roll bar so talk of that is moot.

In short, the extra power will not generate more under steer, it will however cause greater traction issues when you "bury the welly". The front anti roll bar will however change the tendency of the vehicle back to under steer based on the roll stiffness of the rear but with the adjustable rear bar, the increase in roll stiffness on both medium and full-still are, from memory, both greater than the increase of an increased diameter front bar.

If you want to change the grip vs roll vs power equation, I would suggest the greatest handling mod that people always either neglect or consider last.


Tyres.

[Bassik]

Cool thanks for advice all. Gavs I'm slightly lost in what your talking about in your first paragraph. It could be my lack of comprehending what your talking about... but it made no sense to me haha.

Your tyres commit is greatly fully noted but I wont be getting new tyres till I need them so I'll be looking when that time comes.

seangti thanks for your input as well. I noticed you have a superchip tune is that with the bluefin controller? I'm interested in getting this option.

[Bassik]

Just read this and thought it was a little insightful

Superchips Volkswagen Polo GTI review and pictures