Sway bars or Watts Link

[Tay]

I already have coilovers on the way. Should I just get front and rear sway bars or spend the money and get a Steeda Watts Link? Thanks

 

[Ch4r1ie]

If it's a straight forward choice between the two, I'd go for the Watts Link. The reason being, you already have sway bars (OEM) and you can upgrade them later.

Oh, and as much as I like Steeda kit and the guys over there, I'd go for the FAYS2 Watts Link if it were me

 

[kevinatfms]

i think if you have a upgraded panhard bar you should be good with the sways, and get seat time. it will save you a little money and you dont necessarily need the watts link.

for the occasional hpde/track day car a watts link is not needed. for the more technical driver i think its more beneficial.

 

[Tay]

Great. Thanks guys.

 

[Vapour Trails]

For what? For some specific purpose or just to have a big list of parts?

What are you looking to change about the car?

 

[Tay]

Actually, I will be doing exactly what you have listed in your profile, Autocross/Drag/Track/Daily Driver.

My car has about 500 miles on it, so not sure what I was looking to change yet.

Anybody have any experience with the Whiteline sway bars?

 

[Sleeper_08]

i think if you have a upgraded panhard bar you should be good with the sways, and get seat time. it will save you a little money and you dont necessarily need the watts link.

for the occasional hpde/track day car a watts link is not needed. for the more technical driver i think its more beneficial.

By "technical" do you mean someone who is drivng at close to 10 tenths

 

[Vapour Trails]

My car has about 500 miles on it, so not sure what I was looking to change yet.

Then don't change anything just yet, spend some time searching this subforum and driving the car.

What car, a 2011?

Whatever you do, don't just start swapping parts because you think you should.

 

[frank s]

It's easy to succumb to the "Mount Everest Syndrome":

Why do that mod? Because I could.

 

[Tay]

Yea it's a 2011 5.0 MT. Thanks for the advice guys.

By the way, what do you think of brake caliper covers? How much do they help with braking? I'm just kidding...

Hey frank s, I see you're in San Diego. I'm in La Jolla.

 

[frank s]

Yea it's a 2011 5.0 MT. Thanks for the advice guys.

By the way, what do you think of brake caliper covers? How much do they help with braking? I'm just kidding...

Hey frank s, I see you're in San Diego. I'm in La Jolla.

Yes, but don't make it sound good: don't want anyone to know what wonderful weather and roads we have around here.

This is a very serious forum. I'm not sure kidding is allowed or it just may not be understood, judging by my first attempt. (I asked for help piping the exhaust sound into the cabin in the fashion of intake sounds in '10 S197s. Should have followed with at least a smiley face, I guess.)

Cheers!

 

[Tay]

Yes, but don't make it sound good: don't want anyone to know what wonderful weather and roads we have around here.

This is a very serious forum. I'm not sure kidding is allowed or it just may not be understood, judging by my first attempt. (I asked for help piping the exhaust sound into the cabin in the fashion of intake sounds in '10 S197s. Should have followed with at least a smiley face, I guess.)

Cheers!

Haha... Ok. Thanks. I'll be careful. And thanks again for the advice.

How bout that awful weather we had today ; )

 

[mustangray]

I like the watts link set up, if you go with one the fays2 is excellent and a bit cheaper then the Steeda

 

[Tay]

I like the watts link set up, if you go with one the fays2 is excellent and a bit cheaper then the Steeda

Hey thanks for your input.

 

[Sky Render]

What's the advantage if the Watts link? I've heard some people swear by them and others say they are a terrible suspension setup.

 

[foolio2k4]

I have never heard of anyone say they are terrible. All have been positive reviews. I just installed eibach sway bars. Time to get a watts link now!

 

[RedMosesSC]

I have never heard of anyone say they are terrible. All have been positive reviews. I just installed eibach sway bars. Time to get a watts link now!

I did my sway bars first, later added a Saleen Watts link, its awesome but pricey, it makes the rear of the car feel a lot more confident not as squirley in and out of turns and much smoother over bumps.

Been running it for a few months now and i recently broke one of the link arms and saleen (or whats left of it) is TAKING FOREVER to ship it.

http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55185&highlight=watts+link

I would go with the front sway bar first and see how that feels on the street and at an Autocross race, then add the rear if needed. Then you can think about the watts link. Unless you have the cash burning a whole in your pocket then do it all but it is nice to see the improvement after each of them so you can better feel the improvement each part brings

 

[Dread53]

If you're not in a hurry, I'll be replacing both my bars with Strano adjustables in the next several weeks. I'm pretty sure the Saleen rear bar is the same as a GT, but I do have the front.

 

[Ch4r1ie]

What's the advantage if the Watts link? I've heard some people swear by them and others say they are a terrible suspension setup.

Jim Fay: "Watts Link lowers your Mustangs roll center and helps keep your handling response symmetrical in both left and right cornering. Because the F2S Watts Link keeps the axle centered under the car, the rear of the car now follows the front suspension rather than fighting it."

I've never heard a single negative word from anyone that has run a Watts Link. Who are these 'others' of which you speak?

 

[Germeezy3]

Basically as your axle moves up and down in travel it actually moves side to side because your panhard bar does not locate the axle in a linear way. With a Watts linkage the axles orientation to the body is the same within the limits of travel. In situations where you are pushing the car hard the constant geometry of the Watts linkage will make the car more stable under power and under braking.

But for most people that only drive fast ocassionally an adjustable PHB is an acceptable compromise.