got the RSB on thanks to many helpful input from the .org, I had to mount it *slightly* forward though due to lack of spacer for the ebrake lines. The bar runs about 1-2 inches forward of the center of rear axle. Chassis does feel stiffer but sometimes i wonder if its placebo effect? Could this be due to lousy positioning of the RSB? could this be due to the fact I just saw Danzig in concert and the sound knocked my brain sideways ? looking at the whole contraption I would think just as long as its on the rear suspension arms *somewhere* that it would be effective. any ideas maxima guys and girls?

 

The RSB was definitely not a placebo effect. I felt a huge difference in high speed cornering. Maybe you just didn't push it enough. You'll feel that oversteer.

 

my understanding of the physics is that the closest the bar is to the front of the car, the lower the effects of the bar. i don't know if 1-2 inches is significant.

 

Is the bar even connected to the rear axle? Which brand name of bar is it?

 

no, bar is connected to each swingarm, its the stillen brand bar, doesnt connect to the axle

 

my car corners way better without a rear sway bar..

 

Yeah, but you also have the coil-overs.

 

The importance of a rear sway bar is inversely related to how much the car is lowered. Stock height, most importance. Slammed, it's more of a detriment than anything else.

 

I disagree. I'm dropped between 2.75"-3.5" below stock and the RSB makes a significant improvement still.

 

Have you made any runs without it to compare?

 

I would say so as he's one of the more active competitive autoXer here on .org.

I trust his input on maxima handling over 99.5% of the members here

 

I do too. But the fact that he's very knowledgable on the subject doesn't mean he's necessarily done before and after runs with the RSB on his current setup. I'm just wondering what his input is in case he's done that before and after test.

The advantages to a RSB on a lowered setup that members have mentioned is less rear roll and and a stronger oversteering tendency. This does not necessarily equate to better overall handling or reduction of times. The cons are extra rear skittishness over bumpy surfaces, harsher ride, and snap oversteer at the limit. With that said, perhaps you can understand my skepticism.

 

what is peoples fear with a RSB....yea its gonna produce oversteer but some people seem to think u hit a bump and wham ur rear-end is flying around......it doesnt work like that.....i drove a maxima with a RSB at auto-x and the same suspension as mine.......total differnce.... better handling and if any i found the rear to be very controlable

 

Like I said, he's opinion > 99.5% of the yahoos on this board.

I too run a RSB and FSB also btw. There's almost no way I could get this thing to oversteer. I actually doubt you could get a front heavy FWD maxima to oversteer. Unless you are skipping over bumps or maybe under SERIOUS trailbraking hard turns etc...

I guess if you know how to drive, you like it. If not, then maybe it's not for everyone. Beam suspension yo!

 

Stillen's 4G maxima produced better lap times back-to-back without the RSB installed. That's all the proof i need unless someone here sets up a similar test. I'll take more rear roll if it means better handling.

 

Then why are asking in this thread then? You mean that "particular" driver was able to get better times.

 

Each RSB result is somewhat dependent upon other suspension work. A car with equal front/rear spring rates may exhibit more oversteer than one that's got heavy front spring bias. Remember the anti-sway bars are simply a form of a spring twisting.

For members w/o searching here's this years debates on roll & related handling.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=407249
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=417699
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=418105
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=412478
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=346336

I now run the knockoff Stillen bar (over both the Addco and Stillen which I still have). It improves my steering response, betters slalom speed, and limits body roll (duh). I did find it hurts a tad in sweepers and slow transitional maneuvers. That could be what Stillen found.

It's easy enough to remove a couple bolts and do back to back testing yourself. Anybody doing any roadcourse tracks soon care to try?