Review COMPTECH Sway Bar

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Old 08-19-2004 | 11:30 AM
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Review COMPTECH Sway Bar

Just had it installed this morning, and all I can say is WOW . Took the TL to the twisties and I could not feel the pull at all, and the rear end stayed planted to the ground the whole time. The $110.00 was worth every penny.
Old 08-19-2004 | 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by ali_enterprises
Just had it installed this morning, and all I can say is WOW . Took the TL to the twisties and I could not feel the pull at all, and the rear end stayed planted to the ground the whole time. The $110.00 was worth every penny.
Yup. yup yup...
Old 08-19-2004 | 11:45 AM
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THanks for the info...I was convinced to not get the bar, but now I must!
Old 08-19-2004 | 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by VTEC=happiness
THanks for the info...I was convinced to not get the bar, but now I must!
Yes, get it. I got it. Installed it myself in just over an hour and love it. "Planted" is the best way to describe it.
Old 08-19-2004 | 02:06 PM
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You guys just drive me crazy... I should change my plan and have new schedule for installation... I don't like my overboost steering wheel...
Old 08-19-2004 | 07:37 PM
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Oooo! Oooo! Me next! Me next!

I'm almost convinced. Does adding the sway bar make the ride harsher? I wouldn't think so, but I want to make sure before I plunk down the bucks for the bar and install.
Old 08-19-2004 | 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by neuronbob
Oooo! Oooo! Me next! Me next!

I'm almost convinced. Does adding the sway bar make the ride harsher? I wouldn't think so, but I want to make sure before I plunk down the bucks for the bar and install.
No not at all, it just makes it handle like a dream.
Old 08-19-2004 | 09:01 PM
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where do you buy it from?
Old 08-19-2004 | 09:10 PM
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You can call Comptech or, go to an Acura dealer which is an authorized Comptech vendor. I had mine purchased and installed at Superior Acura (Auth. Comptech dealer) that way if anything does go wrong its still covered underfactory warranty along with they cant blame it on the install because they installed it. It ran $110.00 for the Sway bar, and $90.00 for the install.
Old 08-19-2004 | 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by ali_enterprises
No not at all, it just makes it handle like a dream.
OK, NOW I'm convinced. Will call dealer in AM to ask for install cost.
Old 08-19-2004 | 10:14 PM
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any 6 sp owners make the jump yet?
Old 08-20-2004 | 12:41 AM
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im going to acura 101 west tommorrow to schedual my B service as well as a couple warenty issues, and will mention the comptech rear sway bar for my manual. I live 2 min from the canyons and, is a definate must for my driving commute.
Old 08-20-2004 | 01:21 AM
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Originally Posted by aGenKa
any 6 sp owners make the jump yet?
Same question here. Doesn't seem like it would be nearly as much of a change on the 6MT. It already comes with an upgraded rear sway bar - 20mm.
Old 08-20-2004 | 05:54 AM
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ali:
looking at your sig, it doesn't look like you have any other suspension mods (besides the sway bar). Is this true? Adding just a sway make this much of a difference?
Old 08-20-2004 | 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by qali
ali:
looking at your sig, it doesn't look like you have any other suspension mods (besides the sway bar). Is this true? Adding just a sway make this much of a difference?
I have A-spec package which includes the suspension -- I have driven my TL hard before on the twisties and it handled OK, I did the same twisties again with the comptech Sway, and the rear stayed planted at high speeds, I just couldnt feel the pull or the slip that happend on a normal bases when I was driving on the road. For $110.00, which is the cheapest price I have ever seen for a quality sway bar, you cant go wrong.
Old 08-20-2004 | 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Aegir
Same question here. Doesn't seem like it would be nearly as much of a change on the 6MT. It already comes with an upgraded rear sway bar - 20mm.

It may not be as much of an improvement as on a 5AT, but an improvement nonetheless. I'd do it if I had the stock 6MT bar. Like someone else said, it's only $110. It's pretty easy to install too. I wouldn't suggest paying for installation unless you have no experience with tools. It's literally 9 bolts and 5 hangers. That's it. Piece of cake. Must get all four corners in the air though.
Old 08-21-2004 | 09:14 AM
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I"m confused. Did you just replace the rear bar? If so, how would this effect the "pull" as you describe it? (maybe I should ask what you mean buy pull - but I assume you mean torque steer).
Old 08-21-2004 | 09:26 AM
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Could someone please specify what the dimensions are for the stock 5at and the CompTech bar. I know the 6mt is 20mm. I curious as to how much larger the comptech bar is over stock 6mt.
Old 08-21-2004 | 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by ZQQM
Could someone please specify what the dimensions are for the stock 5at and the CompTech bar. I know the 6mt is 20mm. I curious as to how much larger the comptech bar is over stock 6mt.
Stock AT - 17mm, Stock 6MT - 20 mm, Comptech - 22 mm. Notice that the AT to Comptech is a BIG jump, but the 6MT to Comptech is much less. I still would like to know the difference between the Stock 6MT suspension and with a Comptech only bar change. At some time I would like the A-Spec suspension, but right now, it is not in the cards.
Old 08-22-2004 | 10:28 PM
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Old 08-24-2004 | 11:01 AM
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Sounds like a good upgrade. Just be careful though guys; cars with upgraded sway bars don't give as much warning when they're about to let go as stock. Of course there's VSA to help out, but if the car lets go, I suspect there won't be much warning. Having said that, I'm probably going to get one too, as soon as I pay off my laptop..
Old 09-01-2004 | 08:30 AM
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Rear Sway Bar

Is it worth adding to a none "A"Spec TL
Old 09-01-2004 | 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by SparkAF
Is it worth adding to a none "A"Spec TL
I'm assuming the question was: Is it worth adding to a non-A-Spec TL?

The A-Spec TL does not come with upgraded sway bars just upgraded shocks and springs. So the A-Spec 5AT has the 17mm rear sway bar, and the A-Spec 6MT has the 20 mm rear sway bar (just as the regular TL).

If you have the 5AT you can definitely feel the difference much more in the turns. The 6MT not so much (I can tell you from first hand experience because I have the Comptech sway installed on my 6MT). You can only feel a change in the most aggressive of cornering, so it is much more subtle than in the 5AT.
Old 09-01-2004 | 08:45 AM
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Rear Sway Bar

So I guess you're saying installing a Comptech Rear Sway Bar on a non-A-Spec 5AT will improve handling
Old 09-01-2004 | 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by SparkAF
So I guess you're saying installing a Comptech Rear Sway Bar on a non-A-Spec 5AT will improve handling
I don't have a 5AT, but from what I have read from 5AT owners it does improve handling very noticeably. 5AT owners can also chime in anytime...
Old 09-01-2004 | 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by SparkAF
So I guess you're saying installing a Comptech Rear Sway Bar on a non-A-Spec 5AT will improve handling
Yes. A rear swaybar mod is will usually net the great bang for the buck improvement. The decreased body roll allows the car to stay planted which allows the inside tires in a turn to offer more grip. It essentially makes the car very neutral by getting rid of the understeer that is characteristic and designed into our car. I installed one on my 97 Camry and it made a very noticable difference in turns and with twisties. On top of that, you don't affect the ride of the car all that much should you decide that the A-Spec setup is not to your taste. Of course, you realize maximum benefits when you install the A-Spec which you can add later if you find that the RSB is not enough for you.

dsc888
Old 09-01-2004 | 11:19 AM
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Thanks for all the info fellow TLers. I just called the dealer and will have my sway bar soon. I'll be rolling over some of my favorite curvy Georgia roads before and after I get the RSB. I have the non a-spec suspension, 17 inch factory rims.
Old 09-01-2004 | 10:55 PM
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Acuravic - where are you having it installed? Are they getting the bar for you? How much for the bar and install?
Old 09-02-2004 | 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by captain
Acuravic - where are you having it installed? Are they getting the bar for you? How much for the bar and install?
Baranco Acura. The bar is $110 from Comptech as stated by the others. If I had a lift I would do it myself (I have the shop manual at home). I believe it will cost me around $230 out the door. I'll know today when I order the part.

And Yes, Acura is an authorized vendor/seller of comptech products, they will go to the website and order the part and have it delivered to the dealership.
Old 09-02-2004 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by captain
Acuravic - where are you having it installed? Are they getting the bar for you? How much for the bar and install?
$214.00 installed and out the door. $104 for installation at Baranco Acura. It will take a week or so for it to get here.
Old 09-02-2004 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by lovepo9e

Can anyone take pics?
Old 09-02-2004 | 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by lovepo9e
Can anyone take pics?
Go to the Comtech Site, they have a pic of the sway bar. If you click on the Cat Back exhaust hit you can see the whole underbody of the TL.


Here is the link....

http://www.comptechusa.com/store/product411.html
Old 09-02-2004 | 05:06 PM
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Comptech RSB

I was thinking of installing it myself. Is the TL service manual really needed? If so, can someone scan and post or email the appropriate pages. spara1@cox.net
Old 09-03-2004 | 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by SparkAF
I was thinking of installing it myself. Is the TL service manual really needed? If so, can someone scan and post or email the appropriate pages. spara1@cox.net
I did it without the manual, then bought the manual. I found out later that you need an allen wrench to properly disassemle/reassemble the stabilizer bar and the end links. Look for the hole in the bolt where the allen wrench goes. The rest is very straightforward.

BTW - I used channel locks to hold the bolt still and scratched it up in the process. Using an allen wrench will make things much easier.

I will scan and send the appropriate pages when I get home, if I can remember :blaze:. Maybe someone else can beat me to it though.
Old 09-03-2004 | 07:52 AM
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I'm a 5at and my bar is arrivung today. I'm going to go tailgating a little late tomorrow and install it.....CAN"T WAIT.
Old 09-03-2004 | 07:53 AM
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Originally Posted by SparkAF
I was thinking of installing it myself. Is the TL service manual really needed? If so, can someone scan and post or email the appropriate pages. spara1@cox.net
I was thinking the same thing, but I dont have a lift. Maybe in the next house :P
Old 09-11-2004 | 09:54 AM
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Comptech Rear Sway Bar (RSB)

RSB installed yesterday ($73), first impressions...WOW!!!
Old 09-12-2004 | 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by SparkAF
I was thinking of installing it myself. Is the TL service manual really needed? If so, can someone scan and post or email the appropriate pages. spara1@cox.net
i should have mine anytime now... i`m pretty sure the swap~out is self explanatory... i usually do most of my own work... but if i`m wrong, i`d also appreciate some early pointers...


thanks in advance... tizo@cox.net
Old 09-14-2004 | 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by SparkAF
RSB installed yesterday ($73), first impressions...WOW!!!
Any more impressions on the Comptech Swaybar? Mine will be installed tomorrow
Old 09-14-2004 | 10:18 PM
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I installed mine this afternoon ( Had some time off for IVAN). I don't think anyone should pay for this install. It took about one hour and most of that time was spent jacking the car up and getting it on the jackstands.

--I only lifted the rear of the car.

-- I did not remove the cat back exhaust to complete this install.

I seperated the driver's side muffler (two bolts) and then took everything off. I did put some slight scrapes on the new bar by doing it this way but my car isn't going to world of wheels or anything. The car feels alot flatter in turns. It is a nice upgrade, not drastic but definitely worth 110 bucks. There is a 90 degree curve near my house that I can take about 10 mph faster, even with my crappy EL42s.

EVERYONE SHOULD BUY IT.
btw Falkens are next for me.


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