Progress rear sway and LX front sway installed

[RWatters]

I took the time (with the help of a friend) to install the Progress rear sway today and the Civic LX front sway.

The front sway was a little harder to install than the back but nothing too bad as long as you can get your hands in there. Getting a wrench and the allen wrench in there is a little frustrating but nothing that takes that long.

Progress has changed the design of the rear sway or changed the parts they were using. I purchased one right when they came out and the install instructions were different, the parts used were different, etc. I ended up not using the "mounting brackets" they include in it since I know you never needed it in the past. The bushings seem to be a little smaller and there is a gap on the drivers side but the bar is on correctly and there is plenty of room between it and the exhaust. It made no popping noises today even over bad bumps so I'm not too concerned about it.

The difference in handling between the stock rear and the Progress rear is fantastic! There is a little less body roll but the side-to-side transition is greatly improved. The rear end is free to rotate easier and seems to be a lot more "in line" with the front end (meaning it rotates instantly with it and doesn't take as long to bring it around).

The swapping of the stiffer front Si sway bar for the softer LX front sway bar was a nice change, too. Turn-in didn't seem to be sacrificed much (if any) thanks to the bigger Progress rear sway bar, and the car has a lot more forward bite as you punch it coming out. It doesn't seem to want to push on exit quite as much and I noticed that before when I'd get on it the inside wheel WOULD want to spin a little before the outside would catch on. That is gone and both wheels seem firmly planted and have excellent traction.

All-in-all I'm glad I went ahead and did the LX front to compliment the Progress rear and definitely recommend it. For those who are big on turn-in and don't care much about understeer coming out I'd say keep your Si front on there. I would imagine the car would appear to handle a lot better with it in place in relation to the LX front sway, but punching it and leaving the corner the LX is definitely an improvement (granted not a huge one) over the other. I'm satisfied!

Just to add, I am currently sporting stock end links. I do plan on purchasing the aftermarket rear end links and keeping the stock ones up front (to keep it soft).

I hope this helps some of those who had posted up with questions regarding if using the LX front would do anything.

[bluetroll]

cool! great review! thx!