Whiteline Swaybar fitted

[Timbo]

As someone with a reputation for parsimony, after some track work, subsequent research and discussions with Maccaa, I have fitted a rear swaybar to the Pog (actually, Maccaa fitted it -- he's that kinda guy -- so it was done correctly.

With 10 days and about 1,000ks in the saddle, I'm extremely impressed. It has settled the car down, reduced the pitch and roll, and there's less understeer.

I haven't tried it on a track yet, but a little safe, spirited driving has revealed very little in the way of downside -- there's no 'snap' oversteer that some have suggested, even in the wet, but you can feel more rear bump steering than stock.

At $235 plus fitting, I'm a happy chappy and looking forward to seeing the effects of this value mod on the track, and try the adjustments. But, just with daily driving, I'm pretty impressed.

The Whiteline part no, for those interested, is BWR19Z (this is the adjustable; non-adjustable is BWR19 -- www.whiteline.com.au

One word of warning: Whiteline seem pretty slack with their picking and packing. Both mine and Maccaa's came with the wrong centre brackets (100mm instead of 80mm) so if you buy, just check this before starting fitting.

Fitting takes about (Maccaa) about 30 mins: me? Probably an hour . Be aware the rear shock extens when the bottom bolt is removed, so you'll need something to compress them back in.

Here's some pics

[h100vw]

So can you stiffen that up by shortening the lever?

Or is it on a recommended setting?

Gavin

[Timbo]

Yes, that's on the softest setting. You just shift the position to harden the setting. I'll play around with it, probably on the track

[Kai]

Do you have stock suspention / coilovers ?

EDIT: I just noticed the pictures

[mikinoz]

I have the same bar for the mkIV and think that it adds heaps of value. You will not get snap oversteer from my experience until it is on the last link, I run mine on the middle setting for everyday and when I have been on the track. I find this is the most neutral setting and also most predictable. Promises to increase front tyre wear (as they are both on the tarmac more) and harshness on uneven roads. I have currently taken mine off to smooth the ride out for the little lady that is 7.5 months pregnant - not a fan of firm ride any more she is not!

[BLKMJC]

I've got the whiteline on the MK4 GTI too and it has helped a lot.

I first put in coils and the car was transformed... then I put the whiteline on and it seemed to help another 100% on top of the coils / front brace.

There is almost 0 roll and the car is much more predictable, much less understeer. But it is very harsh, even on medium setting. Almost too harsh for daily driving but I put up with it.

BLKMJC

[Timbo]

I haven't done anything else to the suspension apart from this, as I wanted to see where the best bang for the buck is. My feeling, so far, is that it is definitely the swaybar. With the sub-$30k Pog, I don't want to overcapitalise on improvements, and if it shows significantly on the track, I'll probably leave the rest stock. 'Cos the next steps are quite expensive -- Eibachs @ $600, adjustable Konis @$1200, or coilovers

[shaneth]

But it is very harsh, even on medium setting. Almost too harsh for daily driving but I put up with it

Timbo do you find this at all. I would be very interested but i dont want it to play with the comfort factor as the misses will complain. What about a front sway bar??

[Timbo]

No, ride is still very comfortable -- not "crashy" at all -- and reducing pitch and roll makes it more comfortable.

BLKMJC has also fitted new coils, which -- if they're lowered -- will reduce ride quality.

I'm not going to fit a larger front bar because I reckon that'll just bring back understeer

[MACCAA]

Timbo's car was dramatically improved with the rear sway bar-mine has shocks and springs so the difference is not as noticeable-probably only noticeable on track.As Timbo says,a bigger front bar will only increase understeer.Stock front is 20mm,Whiteline rear also 20mm.
Can't see how a sway bar effects ride-untill you turn a corner it's just going up and down with the beam axle.Rear bar is very easy to fit-no drilling required.Bar is attached to the beam with U-bolts,everything else is just a bolt on.Good mod for the money.
Cheers

[BLKMJC]

Thats true the coils + swaybar would impact the ride comfort. I dont think the swaybar would do it just alone.

BLKMJC

[Timbo]

I'm going to haul this one back up, as an update, too

MACCAA & I, FLOODY and tinyGTI had a day at Wakefield on Friday.

It was my first time back there since early January, which had been stinkin' hot. I managed a 1:20 then with a stock car.

Since then I have added the Revo tune, 17" wheels with Falken Azenis RT615 tyres, Ferodo 2500 front pads with Motul 5.1 fluid, and the rear swaybar.

Friday was an beautiful day, temp reaching about 25C.

I ran the first session with the tune off and RSB on soft, just to gauge the handling improvements. The car felt much better in both braking and tyre grip. I managed around 1:18:+ in this configuration.

In the later runs, I switched the tune on, and we shifted the RSB to its stiffest setting. I managed a best lap if 1:17:25, which is pretty much the same as I have done there in my previous car (RX-8 ), so I reckon we might be approaching the driver's limit

I am very happy with the car now. To do better, I'd need to invest more on springs/shocks, but more importantly, a LSD is really the only way I'll be able to get the power down better. More power without the LSD would be pretty useless (FWIW, my car dynoed 123.8 fwKW at the dyno day held last Saturday).

Most importantly, a car that has cost me c$37k to-date including improvements (I have leather & sunroof etc) is tracking as well as my previous car, which cost around $60k...and uses much less fuel in the process

Oh yess, and didn't notice any nasties arising from the sway bar even at the stiffest setting. Seems Whiteline did their homework well!

[DaveMack]

Timbo do you find this at all. I would be very interested but i dont want it to play with the comfort factor as the misses will complain. What about a front sway bar??

I've got a missus like that. ... spoil our fun ... would rather spend the money on shoes or something "sensible".

Dave

[shaneth]

awesome updates thanks timbo

[MACCAA]

Had a great day at Wakefield on Friday with Timbo,Floody and tinyGTI.
My Polo has an Oettinger reflash,adjustable Konis,Eibach springs,rear sway bar,Ferodo 2500 pads,and Kumho V700 tyres.[still 16"]
First couple of laps were setting tyre pressures,Konis on medium[they have 3 settings]and ESP on,were around 1.18.Pressures set,ESP off,best was 1.16.8.Rear bar at softest setting.
Konis on hard,[fronts only,rears are car-off to adjust]ESP off,best 1.16.2.Got brave and set the rear bar on full hard,and was consistently .5 quicker,with a banzai 'qualifying' lap of 1.15.25.At an educated guess,ESP off is about 1 second a lap quicker.
Car is very predictable and consistent with this set up.Brakes are the best they have been in 2 previous track days with EBC green pads.Ferodos much more confidence inspiring,very little fade or dust.
As Timbo said,we are doing the same times that we did in our $60k RX8's.
All in all a great day.
Cheers
Len
PS:my car made 121.6kw at the Dyno day.






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