Eibach Sway Bars Installed!

[colombacho]

Originally Posted by Purplefade

That's what I'm looking forward to the most is just flattening out the cornering a bit, taking the edge off the lean so to speak. I know she'll never be formula 1, but hey, I know I really enjoy "driving" mine every chance I get and with the struts, coils and bars.. I'm getting there. Now I just need to convince my wife that 20x10s with 275s on them is a good thing...


EDIT - stock setup - factory 18s with Conti DWS 06 Extreme Contacts




Wish me luck!


I think it was you actually who said they made a pretty significant difference?

did you ever get these installed? were they legit? any feedback?
thinking of pulling the trigger on a set from that site.

Thanks!

[Purplefade]

Colombacho - sadly I did not get them installed, through all of my own excitement and multiple “Saturday is the day” attempts life always jumped up and bit me on the butt...

The good news is, your timing couldn’t have been better, I have a buddy of mine who just moved from his old dealership to a much more liberal shop, I am handing him the keys Monday (the 13th) and he is installing them for me along with new links and poly control arm bushings.

Let me get the truck back from him and I will definitely hit you with an update


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[colombacho]

That is great to hear!
I just wanted to confirm that you got a good quality product from a supplier overseas. I bet you are ecstatic at getting these installed. I have been mulling on getting these for a couple of years, but I realize these parts are getting scarce and do not want to miss out on the experience. I also knew it would be worth getting them because I recently had the engine rebuild, so the X5 wont be going away for some time-to my wife's regret.

So, please let us know how these fit and feel after you get them installed.
Cheers.
Brian
.

[Purplefade]

I just grabbed new links to go with the bars that way bars, bushings and links are all new for “maximum” benefit. Links will be here Thursday, car goes in Monday and I will definitely keep you posted on the results.

I can also confirm that the bars appear to be very solid, the red epoxy coat is exceptional, the bushings are full poly and they came with new “horseshoes” and all new stainless steel hardware

I am definitely hoping for a noticeable improvement on body roll once these suckers are installed. Not “Indy car” for sure but the general opinions that it is a marked improvement over stock (assuming ones enjoys a firmer ride).


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[bcredliner]

You will certainly notice the reduction in body roll and improved turn-in though how noticeable will depend on condition of front and rear suspension. Doesn't sound like you want to do anything else but spacers to widen the stance are a simple add that compliment the sway bars a little and are not that expensive and most folks like how it looks.

[Purplefade]

Thanks BCR, front and rear suspension were refreshed fully just under 20k miles ago, I’m hoping with that and the new links, for giggles sake, that will be enough.

That said, what others items are you thinking, I am definitely open to suggestion. Considered adjustable rear arms but for no lower than mine is I wasn’t sure it was necessary.


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[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Purplefade

Thanks BCR, front and rear suspension were refreshed fully just under 20k miles ago, I’m hoping with that and the new links, for giggles sake, that will be enough.

That said, what others items are you thinking, I am definitely open to suggestion. Considered adjustable rear arms but for no lower than mine is I wasn’t sure it was necessary.


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Great that suspension has been refreshed.

Wider rims that will handle wider tires is a mod to consider when new tires are needed. If you are patient you can find rims fairly reasonable and it is another mod that has a side benefit of improving the appearance.

Think of a lower center of gravity as sitting in the seat of your X5 verses sitting in the seat but on the roof. Or driving a go cart around a curve verses a semi around the same curve. Dropping it as little as an inch on both ends is helpful. If nothing more it instills more confidence the vehicle will do what you ask of it.

There's lots more you can do but unless you DIY, the labor makes it a poor value equation--expense verses performance improvement.

[Purplefade]

Heard that - I’m 98% DIY but dropping the front cradle on my garage floor feels a bit daunting, not to mention I have my buddy throwing new motor mounts in too . Actually it’s going in for the motor mounts and while he’s in there the sway bars, bushing and links were a “freebie”.

So far I am running H&R lowering springs up front with their self leveling adjusters in back and sport bags so I’m sitting about an 1.5/1.75” below stock ride height now.

20s are actually in the near forecast, (considering 20x10s) with probably 295/305 in the rear with 265/275 up front (though I am considering squaring it for the ability to rotate), may hold off on the spacers and just put that couple hundred bucks towards the wheels and tires... likely the wisest investment for sure. (I’m planning to hold on to my 18s and Conti DWS 06s as a viable winter swap.)

I did consider coilovers but with my B6s being brand new and the H&Rs just going on with the Bilateins... bags seemed the reasonable solution for the moment... I do like the adjustable upper rear arms but with my little drop I’m guessing I can still come up with a pretty aggressive but balanced alignment.

I’m going to have to dig your thread back up and check that out for sure. Actually priced out a Snow Meth Kit... but that was for my 5.0 liter


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[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Purplefade

Heard that - I’m 98% DIY but dropping the front cradle on my garage floor feels a bit daunting, not to mention I have my buddy throwing new motor mounts in too . Actually it’s going in for the motor mounts and while he’s in there the sway bars, bushing and links were a “freebie”.

So far I am running H&R lowering springs up front with their self leveling adjusters in back and sport bags so I’m sitting about an 1.5/1.75” below stock ride height now.

20s are actually in the near forecast, (considering 20x10s) with probably 295/305 in the rear with 265/275 up front (though I am considering squaring it for the ability to rotate), may hold off on the spacers and just put that couple hundred bucks towards the wheels and tires... likely the wisest investment for sure. (I’m planning to hold on to my 18s and Conti DWS 06s as a viable winter swap.)

I did consider coilovers but with my B6s being brand new and the H&Rs just going on with the Bilateins... bags seemed the reasonable solution for the moment... I do like the adjustable upper rear arms but with my little drop I’m guessing I can still come up with a pretty aggressive but balanced alignment.

I’m going to have to dig your thread back up and check that out for sure. Actually priced out a Snow Meth Kit... but that was for my 5.0 liter


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IMO coilovers to improve handling are overkill on the street. A lot of money to spend to have more latitude for lowering. You won't need to go adjustable to get the rear in alignment.

Meth injection has a long return on investment but if you do a tune I would do it anyway. Regardless it would increase mileage and performance marginally, especially when outside temp is high. I would reducing back pressure before a tune or meth. Better exhaust sound and engines like low back pressure.

10s all around would be good. Would have to go with non-directional tires if you want to do more then move front to back. I would go with directional high performance tires so they are not a potential deduct from the handling mods you are doing.

[Purplefade]

Bars are on, haven’t done any serious driving with it yet aside from bringing it home from the shop but what I can say on forts impression is that the road feel is so much more present, the truck feels considerably more “planted/solid” on the road.

I ran a simple test before I took the truck in, 45mph around my favorite local corner and I measured the deflection of water in my center console, when I have a few minutes I am going to repeat that test and compare my (simple) results.

But - so far so good, I can say that from what little seat time I have that I wouldn’t go back.

Better update to follow, with a bit more seat time


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