Looking for advice on best setting for Hotchkis sway bars

[PetrolM3]

Hi guys,

I need help from the experts on best setting for Hotchkis bars on a street driven car. My car rides on a fresh B12 kit (B6 monotubes and Eibach springs), fresh OE control arms and bushings, ZCP wheels with OE size PS4S tires, 17.5mm F and 10mm R spacers (to clear 996 brakes). Otherwise the car is fully stock including weight.

Both bars are hollow and their specs are as follows:

Front Bar 30 mm - 3 Way Adjustable. Rate Increase vs. Stock +11% +28% +49%

Rear Bar 25 mm - 2 Way Adjustable. Rate Increase vs. Stock +79% +105%

I've tried a few different settings but chose stiffest on both front and rear because the car rotates very nicely and there's almost no body roll. However, I think my preference for less body roll is messing with my judgment of what setting gives the best compromise in terms of performance and handling. I see a lot of threads on 'flat ride' and I guess that's sort of what I'm looking for but to be perfectly honest, the online calculator is a little over my head.

Hoping someone with similar set-up and/or expertise on 'flat ride' can shed some advice on this. Thanks in advance!

[Tbonem3]

I'd say MED front and softer rear choice. We don't need much in the rear. I didn't bother with a rear bar.

[Obioban]

http://www.fatcatmotorsports.com/FCM_Ride_Harmony_BMW_E46_M3_Online/FCM_Ride_Harmony_BMW_E46_M3_Online.htm

Enter your car's info into that spreadsheet, trying various sway settings, to find out which settings will give you a neutral FRC.

[bigjae46]

Don’t equate lack of body roll with better handling.

I fight this with EVERY F8X driver I instruct on my home track. It’s bumpy like a regular road and they find that stiffer is much harder to control.

I recommend med or stiff front, soft on the rear (that’s what she said).


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[PetrolM3]

Thanks for the tips guys. I guess I can experiment some more with softer settings but it's hard to tell which setting is 'fastest' as the body roll messes with my judgement. I looked at the FCM calculator and thought it's way over my head but I'll give it an honest shot when I have some free time...