Here's CTR front/rear sway bar size (I think)

[aki]

Update: Official figure from Mugen (9/6/08)

So after much wondering, there's finally a source to indicate what the FD2 CTR sway bar size is, esp for the rear.

The rear is using a 21mm bar. Source (in Japanese):

–³ŒÀ | CIVIC TYPE R | PARTS

This would mean that Cusco's numbers were true (I explain at the bottom), so the CTR sway bar sizes are:
CTR (F/R): 26.3mm/21.4mm



The possible sources for CTR sway bar thickness

I've been trying to get the Civic Type-R (FD2) sway bar specs from Japanese sites, but these dang Japanese sites aren't terribly informative. There's two sources for where I'm getting this number: one is from an aftermarket sway bar company, the other from Honda itself.

1) Honda's official site:
Honda�bƒNƒ‹ƒ}�bƒVƒrƒbƒN TYPE R�bWebƒJƒ^ƒ�ƒO�bƒTƒXƒyƒ“ƒVƒ‡ƒ“

According to the official site, the CTR has stabilizers that are 107% bigger for the front and 191% bigger for the rear in diameter when compared to the 2.0GL Civic (not quite an EX since it has a 155hp K20 engine, more like the 155 hp CSX). Note that it's not talking about stiffness, but diameter. This begs the question, what is the size of the 2.0GL stabilizer? Problem is, I have no idea

But we can somewhat safely assume it's using the same sway bars as our stock cars over in the US. Based on that:

Stock sedan sways (F/R): 24.2mm/10mm
CTR (F/R): 26mm/19.1mm

OR, if the JDM Civics are using coupe sways for some reason:

Stock coupe sways (F/R): 25.4mm/11mm
[b]CTR (F/R): 27.2mm/21.0mm[/i]

2) Cusco's numbers.
???? Type-R FD2?????????? ????? ???? ?????????
Cusco in Japan put out a sway bar for the FD2 Civic Type R, which claims 128% more stiffness up front for the 28mm, and 134% for the rear 23mm bar. Since you get the stiffness using the fourth power:

Front:
28^4/x^4 = 1.28
x = 26.3 mm

Rear:
23^4/x^4 = 1.34
x = 21.4 mm

CTR (F/R): 26.3mm/21.4mm

Since we have no idea what the 2.0GL Civic's stabilizers are like, and since Cusco's numbers are consistent with Mugen, then we have what is a pretty good indicator of the CTR sway bar sizes.

[LucasBlack]

Originally Posted by aki

http://www.cusco.co.jp/products/new_...typer_fd2.html

Cusco in Japan put out a sway bar for the FD2 Civic Type R, which claims 128% more stiffness up front for the 28mm, and 134% for the rear 23mm bar. Since you get the stiffness using the fourth power:

Front:
28^4/x^4 = 1.28
x = 26.32mm

Rear:
23^4/x^4 = 1.34
x = 21.37mm

I'm scratching my head at why they're not rounded up numbers (eg 27mm and 22mm), hmmm. Correct my math if I'm wrong, but those should be the right numbers?

maybe their percentage increases are slightly incorrect.
because i wonder if the stock CTR bars would be more than just one mm smaller than cusco's bars.
- i would assume cusco would want to provide a difference more so than just one mm when putting aftermarket sways out on the market.

...and i furthermore wouldn't be surprised if the CTR ran a slightly smaller bar than our FA5's run, along with a larger rear sway...only makes sense really.
...of course then, if we want to consider manufacturing and production, they might use the same front sway as we run to reduce costs.......?

either way, the CTR and progress rear bar now seem to be basically the same size.....does the CTR have reinforced mounts?

[aki]

Not sure about reinforced mounts--the only reference we have are these images from the official site:

Front:

Rear:


It only mentions that the stabilizers are beefed up, nothing about reinforcement.

[quality_sound]

Maybe the difference is hollow vs. solid? Anyone know if the OEM bars are solid of hollow? If they're hollow then even going to a bar with the same thickness but solid will increase the stiffness.

[LucasBlack]

aki: yeah, i've scoured the japan honda website.....that was...an interesting endeavor.

quality sound: not as much as you might think...or could tell/feel.
the si's OEM bars are solid i believe.

[quality_sound]

Originally Posted by LucasBlack

aki: yeah, i've scoured the japan honda website.....that was...an interesting endeavor.

quality sound: not as much as you might think...or could tell/feel.
the si's OEM bars are solid i believe.

Weird. I changed my PAssat's OEM hollow bars for Autotech solid bars that were the same diameter and you could tell. Maybe it harder to tell on a car as stiffly sprung as the Si.

[Highrev1]

^^You can't compare Hollow vs Solid, just by size, they use different calculations.

WHy though, we know the stiffer end of the car breaks loose first and there are benifits to a smaller front bar. :) Alot will come from testing different setups, I already know I want a smaller front bar than they make, probably gonna get a 12mm FSB made up.

[aki]

I added numbers from Honda's site. The more research, the more I get confused. Bleh.

[quality_sound]

Originally Posted by Highrev1

^^You can't compare Hollow vs Solid, just by size, they use different calculations.

WHy though, we know the stiffer end of the car breaks loose first and there are benifits to a smaller front bar. :) Alot will come from testing different setups, I already know I want a smaller front bar than they make, probably gonna get a 12mm FSB made up.

I agree. I was just thinking that one set my be solid and oone hollow which might explain why the numbers aren't jiving.

[aki]

Finally there's a figure from Mugen about the CTR sway bar size, so I've updated the original post. Woot woot.

[meeks]

good info!