No Ticket has the physics of it right. My comment was specific to the context of the discussion from which it was lifted, which was discussing using a FRONT swaybar to tune out an oversteer tendency... In that very specific scenario, I still stand by what I said, oversimplified or not... Also, having "too little swaybar" may not be an issue, if you have sufficient spring rate to provide the needed wheel rate. So there. Yes, that would probably get you FAR too stiff of a ride to be able to handle track irregularities, but "in theory" with enough spring rate you won't "need" a swaybar.
Ok, I took you out of context. I also assumed that you thought like what a massive suspension community says. Don't worry Dave, I got you placed
well above the general retardation of the internetz, but I think it was a "fair" error on my part to take you out of context considering it's as common as it is. It at least allows me to raise my point.
What I am about to post took me about 4 seconds. That's with a mediocre 40 GWAM typing, the internetz to decipher what I wanted, post the perfect link and click on it. Felt real good.
http://www.autocross101.com/Sway_Bars_101.html which basically has "THE LAWS OF THE SWAYBAR(tm)" j/k, but really, it says that a stiffer front bar:
1. Decreases front chassis roll.
2. Decreases front grip or traction, while increasing rear grip or traction.
3. Faster steering response.
4. Decreases off-power steering at corner entry.
So even though I took you out of context, I would call it common. I just don't understand why all these "LAWS OF THE SWAYBAR(tm)" are not worded to my liking. Don't they know I will make a fuss? According to that, you add a stiffer swaybar then you are losing grip at the area you put the swaybar(front/rear). I believe that to be incorrect. And the reason why is because the swaybar may correct your alignment and that may give you more grip than you originally had. So I don't like the wording. I also don't have any proof. Yay!
You have to keep two somewhat contradictory concepts in mind.
One is as you note, grip as a function of camber. Making the front stiffer in roll tends to help this aspect of tire grip, or at least may allow you to set cambers that are not quite as far negative.
The other is that total grip at one end of the car is sensitive to how much load is being transferred across that end, and where this effect is concerned making the front end stiffer in roll tends to hurt grip. Somewhere there is a sweet spot, which also depends on how much roll stiffness you've got (or will put) at the other end.
Norm
Oh I believe in the sweet spot Norm. That's my point really. I think my case will probably make the most sense for folks running soft springs/big bars. Only problem is, I have no proof and can't really back it up. It's not something I'm calling a fact. It's something I'm challenging, but will not be able to follow through with a test. So I guess it really becomes a "food for thought" unless somebody else has something better than my hunch.