Installed JBR RSB

[Speed3eak]

Installed the JBarone RSB, and took it the car for a 30 minute drive - however I was unable to push it because a lot of the roads here still have some ice on them, and I don't want to hit an unseen patch of ice when I'm testing the limits of the car.

Install was a breeze, just got the car up on ramps. Only problems I ran into were my own - I originally put the bar on backwards so I had to take it off and flip it. Instructions were great, and if you were to do this on your own without messing up, it should take 20-30 minutes max.

Car feels stiffer in the back, and the steering does seem sharper - hard to tell though until I get more time driving it. Overall I would say I'm glad I got the rsb, and further I'm glad I got it from Jbarone - as always the quality and fitment are top notch, and the instructions are clear and well written with plenty of photos.

I'd also like to say that with the RSB, I'm completely happy with the suspension. My only previous complaint was the understeer, and in the one corner I was able to take at a speed high enough to induce understeer, it was so minimal I feel as though calling it understeer isn't appropriate - more like having the front and rear let go in a sequence that made the car exceptionally easy to rotate through a corner.

If anything, I would say the car feels more planted and solid overall. IMO it's a worthwile investment and will make the car much less frustrating to drive when grip does run out. I dunno if it'll be worth $185 to everybody, but it sure as shit was for me.

Again, I will edit this with more impressions as I get a chance to drive it more.

[Corvette Tuner]

Which setting do you have it on?

[Speed3eak]

Middle holes, like recommended in the guide - I'm still running the stock front sway bar. Not really in a hurry to tackle that install, but I may pick up a FSB if JBarone comes out with one.

Got a chance to drive the car on the interstate for 150-200 miles or so yesterday, and it does feel very planted at speed, but I was only able to take it to around 110 mph max, and even then only briefly. I gotta say it feels as planted at 110 as it does at 80 though, so no concerns about that.

The only thing I would change is the car still does feel nervous, but that's more because of the shocks/dampers than anything. Any ambiguity in the back of the car is gone - I've heard people complain about a "floaty" feeling at higher speeds, but I never really experienced it with the car stock so I can't say. Just feels more solid. The balance of the car is way better, and when it gets warmer out I'll be able to comment on the handling limits of the vehicle as well.

I know I said I was completely happy with the suspension as is, but I'm still going to get some koni FSDs down the road if the stock dampers ever take a crap on me.

[JBR]

Originally Posted by Speed3eak The only thing I would change is the car still does feel nervous, but that's more because of the shocks/dampers than anything. Any ambiguity in the back of the car is gone - I've heard people complain about a "floaty" feeling at higher speeds, but I never really experienced it with the car stock so I can't say.

I have H&R coilovers and I get that floatiness in the front end as well. I think that floaty feeling at higher speed is a result of no front down force. My experience is above 90MPH the car will yaw back and forth. I believe that a lip like this one would help significantly.

Jamie

[Speed3eak]

Update:

I got a chance to take the car for a medium-speed spin (as high as I would like to go on 2-lane backroads in the middle of the night haha) - haven't been able to get the tires to break loose turning, and I took a turn marked for 35 miles an hour at around 80. I know, doesn't take the biggest balls to do, but hey, like I said it's pretty late and there are a lot of deer around where I live so I didn't feel like pushing it much farther than that.

The car seems to have settled some; highway 'nervousness' is much less noticeable than it was on my first highway blast.

Overall, I'd say the car is as neutral as I could hope for - I need to get into autox to really explore the handling limits of the vehicle in a proper setting. Now I gotta take the car to an alignment shop and check to toe after reading nate's findings.

I'll probably post another update or two, but not for a while unless I find something negative to write about, which I doubt will be the case. So far, car is great, handles great, steering feels taught - love the way the car responds now. Wish it came from the factory like this.

[Speed3eak]

Another update - I know I said I wouldn't unless I found something bad, but I do really, really like how the car handles now.

I was able to break loose the grip (finally) taking a turn (with a lot of asphalt on either side), and the car rotates well throughout the corner - I wouldn't say there is 0 understeer, because I'm not a good enough of a driver to make those calls, but the car is as neutral as I can hope for on these stock tires. We'll see what happens when I replace the stock rubber, but until then I'm a happy camper with how the car handles - the RSB is a much greater improvement than I originally had thought.

[easy]

i used to get yaw under heavy braking when i was on stock suspension .. scary as hell when your hitting triple digits going down hill and have to get on the brakes and the rear end wants to go side ways ...


+ on rsb being a great mod ... on the stiffest setting the car will oversteer and three-wheel. but i use the soft settings

Originally Posted by jbarone I have H&R coilovers and I get that floatiness in the front end as well. I think that floaty feeling at higher speed is a result of no front down force. My experience is above 90MPH the car will yaw back and forth. I believe that a lip like this one would help significantly. Jamie

if a front splitter can help the floaty feeling i think i want one ... hurry jamie make one so i can buy, the dg one looks ok but thats the only option out there.

[neotide87]

yea I been using the middle hole on the rsb. I did notice but this may be me but when I make a slow 3 pt turn (backing out of driveway) it sounds like in the front a slow turning rubbing noise until car straightens up while engine is still cold. Anyone know what that is or where to look at on the car?

[jv92red]

Jamie,

Any plans in the future to come out with a front bar to compliment the rear?

[Speed3eak]

Originally Posted by micasp33d if a front splitter can help the floaty feeling i think i want one ... hurry jamie make one so i can buy, the dg one looks ok but thats the only option out there.

+1

Originally Posted by jv92red Jamie, Any plans in the future to come out with a front bar to compliment the rear?

I've heard him talk a few times about this, apparently he doesn't like the design of the OEM FSB on the car so he's redesigning it - i.e. it's going to be a while from what I can tell.

Correct me if I'm wrong though jamie.

[JBR]

Originally Posted by Speed3eak +1 I've heard him talk a few times about this, apparently he doesn't like the design of the OEM FSB on the car so he's redesigning it - i.e. it's going to be a while from what I can tell. Correct me if I'm wrong though jamie.

You are correct. In fact we had a very long meeting yesterday discussing what we'd like to accomplish and how. That's all I've got for ya.

Thanks,
Jamie

[AD_07]

Thanks from Down Under,
Just want to say a BIG thankyou to Jamie for such prompt service & an excellent product (RSB). I ordered it on the 6th of May & received it on the 17th....pretty quick delivery. Ive only had it on for about 30km , but can feel the difference immediately. You can tell its made well & of a high quality. I will make sure that ozmpsclub.com know what a great product you produce & deliver.

Cheers,
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