DIY Network

Scion TC: Autocross Suspension Multi-Upgrade Before Andrew Totolos is done with this Scion TC, it'll corner like a 911 and grip track pavement like flypaper. From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-403

(Continued from page 3)

Scion Suspension Upgrade, Part 2: Get Tighter Still — With an Adjustable Tubular Sway Bar Andrew Totolos continues tightening the body of the Scion TC by clamping down the rear suspension with an adjustable tubular sway bar. This will further help fight body roll and improve performance as the car makes turns on the track.

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	Andrew compares stock sway bar with the high-performance adjustable version.
	The adjustable sway bar is far more rigid than the stock version.

The Sway-Bar Principle: To Sway or Anti-Sway

Most cars with soft suspension — engineered to maximize passenger comfort — tend to "lean" heavily in the corners. This is fine for daily driving, but not for the autocross track. For racing, or any high-performance driving, tighter suspension and precise steering are preferred. A sway bar is one component that can help.

A sway bar is, more accurately, actually an "anti-sway" bar — since it serves to reduce sway or body roll. It works by connecting the left and the right side of the suspension together to allow for better handling and flatter cornering.

In a stock set up, you're likely have a small and flexible sway bar — if you have a sway bar at all. Under hard cornering, the standard sway bar may twist. This situation can still permit a fair amount of normal body roll which can, in turn, lead to a loss of traction. And that definitely won't help your race results.

If you upgrade to a thicker sway bar, you'll get less twist, and the tires will be more apt to stay planted to the track.

	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H

The performance sway bar that we're installing is not only thicker than standard ones, it can be adjusted according to our intended use. In that way, when the car is being used as a daily driver, the sway bar can be set to "soft." If you want to take it to the track, it can be set to a harder setting.

Installing the Tubular Sway Bar

Materials and tools used in this phase of the project:

standard shop tools
rear sway bar with supplied lubricant

• In order to get the new sway bar in, the old one has to come out. Rear sway bars are usually underneath the exhaust system. On the Scion the exhaust is bolted together at the mid-pipe.

• Unbolt the muffler and the tailpipe (figure C), and get it out of the way.

• Once the muffler is out, unbolt the end links that connect the factory sway bar to the rear suspension (figure D).

• When both ends of the bar are loose, remove the bolts that secure the frame mounts and pull the bar out of the car.

• To begin the installatioin of the new bar, first remove the protective sleeves.

• Apply the lubricant that was supplied with the sway bar and put it in the rubber bushing (figure E).

• Important: The lubricant will increase the life of the rubber bushings.

• The new sway bar goes in just like the old one came out (figure F).

• First bolt in the sub-frame mounts on the inside (figure G) and tighten them up with the air ratchet (figure H).

• Attach the end links using the inside hole on the bar. It's the hardest setting for street and track.

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