8th Generation Honda Civic Forum - View Single Post - initial reaction: progress rear sway bar for SI coupe

Fiji_Blue_FG2 · 07-03-2009, 12:58 AM

I drive a 2006 FG2, it has stock suspension and I have already upgraded to general exclaim UHPs in stock size. When I got these tires, I couldn't believe the difference they made. However, with very soft sidewall I actually noticed a slight reduction in the everyday sweeper turn.

With this said, after a total of 4 hours...I have installed the progress bar.
reasons for this length of time would be due to the following:

1. No lift. the install requires use of a torque wrench (mine was 3ft long and I was using jack stands)

2. The progress instructions assume you've seen how a sway is installed and/or works. for example: you need to know that the endlink bolts have some kind of lock that you must depress with a 5mm allen key WHILE turning. maybe thats the instructions, but theres much that isnt. I received 2 pages, 1 showed what was included, the back showed basically how to install using an r18 civic using the extra parts. the 2nd page was only one sided and showed a brief descripto of how to install the reinforcement brackets. If you own an SI, the instructions are pointless. It is basically, look and remember how things go, in what direction everything is pointed, and replicate using the new bar and progress brackets and reinforcement plates.

3. I have a ton of drill bits. I thought maybe they were just dull, so I went to the store and got a titanium drill bit from autozone. I figured autozone wouldnt carry wood type bits and would have bits for auto applications(metal). well...to install the reinforcement plates, you have to do some drilling. its not very thick metal, but definately very strong. so after two trips to the store ending up at ace hardware, you end up getting a cobalt bit. it was the only bit sold that would cut through. theres also a few other little things i noticed that didnt quite line up with the bar, but I doubt it will affect performance.

What I think:

This made a huge difference!
Have you ever drove down an empty street and slalomed between the yellow lines or reflectors? Well when I do this now, the car goes directly where I point it. I also seem to be able to accelerate sooner when exiting a spirited turn. Surely I could tell more if I autocrossed, but it feels safer. Some even say the car is more solid on the highway...or maybe that was the HFP suspension. As expected, the rear end is much more in line with the front and when testing the sway, it is MUCH STIFFER..which leads to a little more discomfort, but hey-the car is connected now.

The idea is great. I cant believe the r18 civics have such a small sway bar, and dx doesnt have one at all for that matter. Its good bang for buck, although I'm unaware how it changes the entire cars handling technicalities and what not.

But Progress....measure twice, cut once. redo the instructions, make it more user friendly, tell people what is involved if modification is needed before hand and they may see people going out on the limb to do aftermarket unwarranted suspension upgrades! If it wasn't for the totally off reinforcement plates, I couldve had this thing done in two hours tops not 4, taking time, having music, and laying on my back doing quarter turns on bolts at a time...lol

sorry, quite lengthy! LMAO!!

07-03-2009, 12:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Fiji_Blue_FG2 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Port Saint Lucie, Fla Posts: 532 Bryan iTrader: 0 / 0%	initial reaction: progress rear sway bar for SI coupe I drive a 2006 FG2, it has stock suspension and I have already upgraded to general exclaim UHPs in stock size. When I got these tires, I couldn't believe the difference they made. However, with very soft sidewall I actually noticed a slight reduction in the everyday sweeper turn. With this said, after a total of 4 hours...I have installed the progress bar. reasons for this length of time would be due to the following: 1. No lift. the install requires use of a torque wrench (mine was 3ft long and I was using jack stands) 2. The progress instructions assume you've seen how a sway is installed and/or works. for example: you need to know that the endlink bolts have some kind of lock that you must depress with a 5mm allen key WHILE turning. maybe thats the instructions, but theres much that isnt. I received 2 pages, 1 showed what was included, the back showed basically how to install using an r18 civic using the extra parts. the 2nd page was only one sided and showed a brief descripto of how to install the reinforcement brackets. If you own an SI, the instructions are pointless. It is basically, look and remember how things go, in what direction everything is pointed, and replicate using the new bar and progress brackets and reinforcement plates. 3. I have a ton of drill bits. I thought maybe they were just dull, so I went to the store and got a titanium drill bit from autozone. I figured autozone wouldnt carry wood type bits and would have bits for auto applications(metal). well...to install the reinforcement plates, you have to do some drilling. its not very thick metal, but definately very strong. so after two trips to the store ending up at ace hardware, you end up getting a cobalt bit. it was the only bit sold that would cut through. theres also a few other little things i noticed that didnt quite line up with the bar, but I doubt it will affect performance. What I think: This made a huge difference! Have you ever drove down an empty street and slalomed between the yellow lines or reflectors? Well when I do this now, the car goes directly where I point it. I also seem to be able to accelerate sooner when exiting a spirited turn. Surely I could tell more if I autocrossed, but it feels safer. Some even say the car is more solid on the highway...or maybe that was the HFP suspension. As expected, the rear end is much more in line with the front and when testing the sway, it is MUCH STIFFER..which leads to a little more discomfort, but hey-the car is connected now. The idea is great. I cant believe the r18 civics have such a small sway bar, and dx doesnt have one at all for that matter. Its good bang for buck, although I'm unaware how it changes the entire cars handling technicalities and what not. But Progress....measure twice, cut once. redo the instructions, make it more user friendly, tell people what is involved if modification is needed before hand and they may see people going out on the limb to do aftermarket unwarranted suspension upgrades! If it wasn't for the totally off reinforcement plates, I couldve had this thing done in two hours tops not 4, taking time, having music, and laying on my back doing quarter turns on bolts at a time...lol sorry, quite lengthy! LMAO!!