Neuspeed 22mm to 25mm RSB review

[3ManArmy]

In a nutshell, a worthwhile mod. The difference was like going from the stock RSB to the 22mm bar. The rear tires are definitely working harder (better) than before as the bar transfers more load to the rear. No oversteer & hardly any understeer, finally a decently balanced car.
The adjustable bar set to hardest setting of the two, it comes with a nice set of re-enforcement plates that install to the stock mounting positions. I put a few turns of Teflon tape on the bar and lubed the bushings w/a bit of anti-seize, we'll see this winter if the bushing squeaks settle in. I am currently running the KW SHS kit, lowered but far from slammed, with fairly aggressive camber settings, -2 up front, -1.75 in rear, 0 toe up front, 1/32 in on rear. Pirelli P-Zero Corsas on SSR Comps w/ 8mm rear spacers & 2mm front spacers, (yeah, I know that rear spacers promote understeer). Haldex mod. Your results may vary.

[j-dub]

Wow, surprised the difference is so noticeable. I am glad I waited.

[5KRP100r32]

i'm glad i waited too

[dieseldl]

I'm glad I went with the 25mm bar because I'm running 15mm spacers in the rear and I think i balances the car better with this setup.

[Back2Dubs]

I'm running 8 mm spacers (rear only) with Konis and Euro springs...the Neuspeed 22 mm rear ASB is plenty stiff with my setup (car actually has a slight tendency to oversteer if I stiffen the damper rebound settings). 25mm might make the car a bit too 'nervous' for my setup, but its nice to see another RSB choice available

[pl@gu3]

Sounds like haldex/28mm RSB is the combo

[tjm0852]

Did anyone notice the sticker of the tube of lubricant states the the RSB needs to be lubricated once a year? Is that something new?

[wachuko]

I just bought it because it was blue...

[j-dub]

Any squeaking with the bushings?

I assume the Teflon tape you used was in an effort to stop the squeaking indefinitely?

[TXBDan]

just somethign to think about..

most ppl who can drive (ie, instructors) have claimed they have no problem w/ our car's turn in or understeer bone stock.

i'm just thinking that maybe there is a point where less is more. its a plus that thing is adjustable though, especially for ppl w/ staggared wheels, etc.

[3ManArmy]

[QUOTE=j-dub]Any squeaking with the bushings?

Not yet anyway, I did not have any squeaking when I installed the 22 bar last summer until it got cold outside. I used the supplied silicon lube w/ the 22mm bar. The 25mm bar bushings are of a different material than the 22 mm bushings & they have small inner grooves inside, I assume to retain the lube better. I just used the tape w/ a bit of anti-seize compound, time will tell.

[3ManArmy]

[QUOTE=TXBDan]just somethign to think about..

Agreed, but my use of this car is for weekend drives in the twisties and an occasional Auto-X. I have basically set the car up to handle the road conditions where I drive the most, The Gap, TN421, as well as N.GA. For this purpose, the 25mm bar works better than the 22. The camber settings I run or not optimum for tire longevity, but thats the price I pay to have the Big Smile on the weekend drives. If I was setting up the car for track day events or just everyday commuting, your right, most of this would not be needed. BTW, are you coming to the Audi Club Track Day event at Robeling this month?

[milo]

Quote, originally posted by Back2Dubs »

I'm running 8 mm spacers (rear only) with Konis and Euro springs...the Neuspeed 22 mm rear ASB is plenty stiff with my setup (car actually has a slight tendency to oversteer if I stiffen the damper rebound settings). 25mm might make the car a bit too 'nervous' for my setup, but its nice to see another RSB choice available

I feel the same way! Best for drifting. LOL, he, he

[kevr6]

Thanks for the review!! Even though I have the 22m I think it's time to change up...

[TXBDan]

^^^ well i autox every event and now that i'm on Rcomps i'm starting to think even my 22mm is a bit much. my rear end goes nuts. i need to play w/ tire pressures more i guess. i'm just saying that sway bars are for minor tuning.. t hey shouldnt be used as a huge bandaid for wrong tire pressures, spring rates, shocks, alignment, etc,etc. there are cons to too much RSB.

and no i wont make it to RR, but i will be at VIR Full in Nov w/ Audi Club. yesssssssssss

[DeepFreeze]

I am also going to ViR in November.

I agree with you:

Quote, originally posted by TXBDan »

well i autox every event and now that i'm on Rcomps i'm starting to think even my 22mm is a bit much. my rear end goes nuts. i need to play w/ tire pressures more i guess. i'm just saying that sway bars are for minor tuning.. t hey shouldnt be used as a huge bandaid for wrong tire pressures, spring rates, shocks, alignment, etc,etc. there are cons to too much RSB. ...i will be at VIR Full in Nov w/ Audi Club. yes

In my opinion, and from my .:R ace this past weekend, the 22MM bar is fine for medium to high speed mountain runs, complex transitions and what not. Im on stock suspension, but I have beefed up the tranny mount, better tires, and I stay checking tire pressures. i also dont have a rear seat/seatbacks.

The car handles well, and the only things i want to add, barring money, is Lighter weight Rims (ie bbs-5zigen fno1r-c), and bilstein PSS9 suspension.

[Jman5000]

I just did 25mm front and rear, and ECS rear control arms.

AutoX'd last Sunday

Oversteer juust where you could use it in hard corners with the rear bar, and the front bar helps bring things back in straight. The urethane bushings in the control arms also helps give a more controlled feel to the rear's articulation.

The feel is so much more direct and firm.

I have a more streetable camber setting, but the improvement over stock (for someone who throws their car about) is worth it.

Modified by Jman5000 at 3:49 PM 10-6-2005

[PJ_NCSU]

might want to adjust your rear camber to closer to -1.0, it makes the tail more happy!

[Jman5000]

1.25 now...

[TTigg]

How is the front sway as I've heard some people say "do it" and others say "don't" ?

[Jman5000]

If it's something "heard" here...I research the topic. There's so much subjectivity.

This post:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2087787

...got me interested in the bigger and lighter rear bar. Better and lighter?? [Dane Cook]Oh yeah...Ohh NO![/Dane Cook] ...what I'm saying is that there was more to the story.

This excerpt from someone who's done some testing and racing helped me decide on which bars to use:

Quote, originally posted by calfee_nut »
With OEM springs/shocks, I have the following summary with (6) .:R track days:

A) stock(21mm)FSB/stock(16mm)RSB: very forgiving;easily controlled; no lift-throttle rotation

B) stock FSB/NS-22mmRSB: loose rear-end; steer-by-throttle input; best to learn behavior at the track.

C) stock FSB/NS-25mmRSB (stock hole): crazy loose rear-end!; SPIN-by-lift throttle; learn limits at track or on the road! You can easily over-rotate the car on a sweeper by lifting! Not recommended for part-time canyon driver.

D) NS-25mmFSB/NS25mmRSB (inboard hole): minimal body-roll; steer-by-throttle input; Best combination so far for me; 7+ track days a year!

BTW, I believe mild suspension allows this work well. I've heard a stiff suspension with 'D' combination makes front-end push. I have plans for Euro Suspension or other adjustable...

I'm pleased w/the purchase. I could tell the car was improved all around by lap 2.

PS, this is my experience on track tires. I gave the front a toss on the F1's on tarmac and got the rear to step, but was also able to reel it in fast.


Modified by Jman5000 at 4:07 PM 10-6-2005

[DeepFreeze]

This may seal my deal. Of coursE I onlyknow how I drive.

and I do push it, to some limits.

I will hopefully be getting porterfields R4-S pads all around, AND ordering VF Tranny mount before ViR November.

thats it until next year. Exhaust goes on for December. WOOT!

[climbingcue]

Quote, originally posted by DeepFreeze »

I have beefed up the tranny mount, better tires, and I stay checking tire pressures. i also dont have a rear seat/seatbacks. The car handles well, and the only things i want to add, barring money, is Lighter weight Rims (ie bbs-5zigen fno1r-c), and bilstein PSS9 suspension.

This very close to the setup in my car, I am running the PSS9's with the 25mm rear sway bar in the stiffest setting, dogbone mount with Volks TE-37's in 17"x8" and my back seats are out... The understeer has been reduced alot, I am very happy with my setup...

[DeepFreeze]

at this point, to justify the 25mm rear anti sway, i would need to ride in a car with one, and good tires.

F1s dont count. hehehe

so, 25mm is in the future only. far off future.

exhaust, for winter....and 2006 hopefully will bring BBS rims. 18x8 5x100

[alvint_vw]

On the 25mmFSB/25mmRSB combo: works well with OEM or a compliant suspension.
If you run an aftermarket suspension that's set stiff, the swaybars work against the shocks/springs and you geta vehicle that corners flat with front-end push or understeer. I know of some people who have removed the antiswaybars on vehicles w/ (heavy) coilover suspension.

The 22mmRSB w/ OEM-FSB is fine for most R owners who want additional rotation & who do an occasional track day. There's plenty of rotation on throttle lift. It's very controllable and fun.

The 25mmRSB works well with 25mmFSB. I'm considering upgrading to (mild) adj shocks/springs - have not decided.

BTW, F1's are very good on the track with correct pressures!