Thanks to the one-tire method (kudos to its inventor, see thread in this forum for details), I installed the CT RSB in under 30 minutes. Hardest part was just using basic logic to maneuver the OEM RSB out and then to manipulate the CT RSB back into place.

** I have NO knocking/clunking/thudding ** post-install.

I greased up the rubber bushings real well, and below are the pics.

Review: I went from stock suspension, to A-spec suspension, and now to A-spec + Comptech RSB.

The transition from stock to A-spec was obviously the most dramatic improvement, however, since I have the 5AT (and our OEM RSB is 17mm) I felt another nice improvement in cornering and aggressive lane changes w/ the Comptech RSB (22mm).

The car feels like it really plants the rear wheels tightly when taking aggressive turns .. less sway that prior to the CT RSB install, for sure. The car is even more neutral in turns now than ever, and the crusing ride is still just as comfortable as before, and I cannot tell a difference at all (meaning that it's still a nice, tight, but luxurious ride).

 

Does anyone know what tire pressure i should inflate the rear tires to now that I have the bigger sway bar? I heard I needed to bump the pressure.

 

Nice to see I'm not the only one who scratched the $hit out of my RSB putting it in! Congrats and thanks for the help with everything!!

 

Yeah...i scratched that badboy up pretty good just trying to maneuver it. No problem! Hey, how did your install go this weekend?? How's the ride?

-- edit --- just read your thread, thanks for the props! Awesome work -- you need to post pics when you get a chance, wheels or not.

 

The install was actually a lot of fun. Took a while due to lunch break, way too much time looking for the torque specs for the lug nuts (still didn't find in the manual), and my anal retentiveness messing around with the entire rear suspension. Only damage to the car was where my friend let the rear seat back scrape the plastic by the door and where I scratched the other side with the rachet putting the lower bolt back in. The deed is done, so being pissed is pointless...might try to fill them in and buff or sand them out one day.

I'll post pics once I get my wheels...don't really see a point at the moment...plenty of ASPEC pics out there already. Plus, I'll have to borrow a camera, and it's easier to do once instead of twice. I don't really take pictures...probably would have a digital camera if I did, though.

 

PeterUbers,

Great write up and glad to hear you are enjoying your car so much! I see you greased her up real good. That'll keep her quiet for quite some time. I have to admit that the Comptech RSB will be more subtle since the stiffer A-Spec rears already reduces roll a good amount. The RSB simply augments it. As for tire pressures. I would caution you to not increase it from the stock 32 in the back just yet. That's cuz the rear is now way stiffer with the A-spec and the RSB. I would increase the fronts to 35-37 to balance the chassis out first, test the limits safely, and then increase the rears slowly. There is a slight possiblity you may induce unexpected snap oversteer with too much rear pressure. I am feeling my car out too. I run about 35 in the front and 32 in the back for safety. I may increase the rears up to 35 too once I know how much she will handle. Have fun and happy motoring.

dsc888

 

PeterUbers, thanks for this review...


Btw, have you seen the swaybar moving side to side yet? Just curious. I still got no clues what's wrong with this. Thanks.

 

Didn't lube mine. OEM wasn't lubed so I saw no reason to lube the CT. I have no clunking.

 

I read through that thread prior to installing mine, and after carefully inspecting the final installation, I cannot see where a "clunk" would originate from, other than if for some reason the brackets over the rubber bushings were loose and snapped violently during heavy cornering and recovery from cornering.

Those pictures i posted are after I installed the swaybar and took the car out for an aggressive drive -- it doesn't appear that there is much play by the looks of the black grease.

One idea: The two bolts that attach to the rear stabilizer link -- there is an articulation bolt that you attach the end of the swaybar to on each side, respectively. That bolt may not be tightened down all the way due to the fact that during the install, it may not have been perpendicular to the hole in the sway bar (due to its articulation). It might be worth re-doing the entire bolt .. undo the nut and seat the bolt properly, then re-install the nut. That may work, but again, i'm not too sure where this clunk may be coming from.