This past weekend I installed front and rear swaybars from Cusco on my 02 sedan... Just out of curiousity I went ahead and installed the rear bar first, took the car out for some twisty fun, and then installed the front bar.

The install itself took about an hour total for both bars as I had access to a lift and impact tools. Those of you planning on doing this in your driveway be warned - you have to take off the front subframe to get the front bar installed. Removing the subframe is not all that big a deal, its just that there are twelve bolts involved, and some of them are REALLY long, so without powertools I could see this install taking awhile. Also make sure you use ramps, as there has to be weight on the front wheels to get the new bar in, use jackstands and you wont be able to get the endlink bolts into the new bar.

As far as fitment goes, I didnt have any major problems, although I did get a small amount of rubbing against the tie-rod at first when reversing and cutting the wheel hard right. Since I have put a few miles on the setup that issue seems to have gone away. Could be that I had things slightly off-center and driving around has aligned things up nicely.

The rear bar can be done in your driveway in maybe twenty minutes, super super easy install (although since I fix Helos for the Army I have some mechanical experience, and hence may be slightly biased).

Suspension setup:

Eibach Prokit springs
Stock Struts
Gramlight 57C 17x7.5
Nitto Neogen 225/45/17

Driving impressions-

Rear bar only: Improved resistance to body roll, but a little too much snap oversteer when lifting off of the throttle. I had the bar at the intermediate setting, so I would suggest that those of you who plan on sticking with the stock front bar use the softest setting for daily driving. Definitely an improvement over stock, but nothing compared to having the whole enchilada!

Front and Rear bar: HOLY SMOKES - makes the car handle better than my friends stock EVO, turn in is vastly improved, transition is much much quicker, and there is hardly any body roll. Handling is dead neutral with a very small amount of oversteer if you lift off of the throttle hard. There is an certain on-ramp near my house that I use for "butt-dyno"ing (?) suspension mods, it has a sign posted for 20mph and takes the form of a long sweeping right hand turn, with a sort of sharp "snap" at the end where it comes onto the freeway. Before this mod I could take this ramp at maybe 50 before I started to push and the front tires would break loose. I went flying through it today at over 70 (didnt look at the speedo, but I had redlined in first and second and was at least a few hundred rpm into third) and all I felt was a struggle to keep myself off of the drivers side door. :devil: I don't think I have the balls to take this ramp "on the edge" with this new setup, but maybe in a couple of weeks when I am used to it I will. :lol:

Next mods? STI Aluminum control arms, endlinks & uprated rear sway mounts. Still haven't figured out what I am going to do for a strut combo, or coilovers, or Praxis - waffling on that one.

Anyway thats my $0.02 :disco:

Nice review...
BTW theres no such thing of toooo much oversteer....:lol:


-Mark
www.MAPmotors.com (http://www.MAPmotors.com)

Nice!

Nice Review! I am planning on doing the same thing.

bump

Thanks for the review. I am looking into getting a cusco setup as well.

The install itself took about an hour total for both bars as I had access to a lift and impact tools. Those of you planning on doing this in your driveway be warned - you have to take off the front subframe to get the front bar installed. Removing the subframe is not all that big a deal, its just that there are twelve bolts involved, and some of them are REALLY long, so without powertools I could see this install taking awhile. Also make sure you use ramps, as there has to be weight on the front wheels to get the new bar in, use jackstands and you wont be able to get the endlink bolts into the new bar.



I just installed a front sway bar last night and I can vouch it was a pain to install for a home garage mechanic.

The Cusco sways are one of those "must have" mods....its been that way since the WRX first came to our shores :)

adam

I installed Cusco sways roughly 2 months ago after having a good experience with a Cusco RSB on my Legacy. The rear bar install was a snap but the front took a little while as I had to remove the subframe. I also torqued a swaybar mount washer down a little too hard and snapped the bolt. I worried about this for a few hours and then went back and promptly found that I could just tap the bolt out with a screwdriver and hammer and replace it with my own bolt/washer. Results were definately noticeable and have caused me to put my Koni purchase off indefinately. I did not install new endlinks and I feel I may feel an even greater decrease in body roll and response with new rear links. For the record, my front bar is a 22mm while my rear is maxed out at 24mm.

nice review guys, i plan on ordering mine sometime by the end of this month, i would like to know what endlinks do you all recomend to use, and do i really need the endlinks??? also what would be a good setting for the rear sway bar?

thanks

What size is the front swaybar in an '02 WRX? What size is the cusco front swaybar?

boricuajr - we have used lots of different endlinks and I have to say our favorites to date are the GT Spec ones. The Kartboy's are also a nice piece.....have not had a problem with either one, though some of the aftermarket ones we have used have literally fallen apart (I'll let our customers post which).

Rich - the stock front sway bar on a 2002 WRX is 19mm. Cusco offers a 21mm or 22mm front sway bar.

I just installed my Cusco front sway bar with front Perrin endlinks on my STi and now it's BUTTER!!! To provide some background, I already had the Cusco Ti front STB, Cusco OS rear STB, rear Cusco swaybar with Perrin endlinks, and JIC FLT-A2s. I thought the car handled great already but with the completion on the front sway and endlinks the car hangs in the turns like I've never felt before. The addition of the swaybar is so noticable that even changing lanes driving on the freeway felt more solid. Some ppl might say that its not good to stiffen the front up with adding these parts but IMO the response is much tighter than before.

Yeha I went form just endlinks and rear strut to FSB/RSB and F/R strut and heavier links. Can fell alot more solid now. Smooth and like its glued to the road. Rear on the stiffest settting. Wanna get the underframe brace and V brace to go along with it. Then some AGX's and im set.

so is there any reason why the cusco are superior to other sway bar brands? My local shop is telling me the best rsb is Perrin

It's probably personal preference. I run a full Cusco suspension except for my rear endlinks, which are Perrin. The Cusco parts are very well made and their coilovers are gorgeous. Cusco has a very good reputation in Japan and that's probably why a lot of people go with Cusco. Their sway bars are also designed after the stock units so there aren't any issues with walking as there were with some other bars.

Calvin

I run the Cuscos as well on my 04, they were an excellent way to spend money. Though they do not make an 04 WRX handle better than an EVO, I've driven both and theres just no way.

anyone here using the front cusco swaybar with the borla headers? i'm having a problem with them knocking on each other under WOT in first gear and sometimes first and second while going uphill at WOT

For people that have posted on this thread, did you get the 21mm or 22mm Cusco front swaybar? Are you glad that you got the size that you got or do you wish that you went bigger or smaller?

Rallispec suggests the 22mm unless you need the ultimate in rotation such on an auto-x car. For a track or road race car, the 22mm is desirable. The difference between stock and 21mm won't be very great and I think 22mm is better if you're looking for all around street/track (and still auto-x) handling and to limit body roll.

The vast majority of our customers get the 21mm front, though we stock the 22mm as well - the difference is actually very noticeable both on body lean and especially turn in response

i got 21 but i want to try the 22...

i also have the cusco set up, i love it

I just installed my Cusco front sway bar with front Perrin endlinks on my STi and now it's BUTTER!!! To provide some background, I already had the Cusco Ti front STB, Cusco OS rear STB, rear Cusco swaybar with Perrin endlinks, and JIC FLT-A2s. I thought the car handled great already but with the completion on the front sway and endlinks the car hangs in the turns like I've never felt before. The addition of the swaybar is so noticable that even changing lanes driving on the freeway felt more solid. Some ppl might say that its not good to stiffen the front up with adding these parts but IMO the response is much tighter than before.


What size bar did you get?

hmm... I managed to install and uninstall my 21mm Cusco front without removing the front subframe:confused: It only took me about 2 hours total for the install and uninstall including some time for head scratching and swearing. Offset wrenches are my friends.

Yeah the brackets are a pain, but a flathead screwdriver works wonders getting it out/.

awesome, great review, and thanks for install tips

mine are coming this week for my STi...can't wait!

Sorry to bump up this post.

i did a search, and it seems everone use 21mm front and 22(adjustable) rear for their 02.

i was stupid enough to bought both 22mm sway bar. (plz dont flame me). i though 22mm for the front and 22mm (adjust to the hardest setting 24mm) would be a good set up????

so what do you guys think? should i put both 22mm sway bar and adjust the rear one to the hardest setting or get 21mm for the front instead??

plz help

you'll be perfectly fine with the 22mm front!

Should i put the hardest setting on the rear? or would it put too much stress

I would recommend the 24mm rear setting yes.

What car do you have (year and model)? If its an 02-04 WRX (non STi), might want to look into rear endlinks as well

Just installed Cusco F/R sways, and a front strut bar.....man what a difference, and I'm using the middle setting. No more diving towards the front corner in a hard offramp curve. Hotness!

Other suspension/wheel notes: Tein H-Tech springs, 17x7 OZ SLs.

I posted in August after my install of these swaybars. They're still holding up excellently and I'm now considering aftermarket rear endlinks and possibly front links. I have 2 questions

1. My front swaybar seems to clearly be too long for the track and pushes the endlinks out. Am I the only wagon owner with this problem? I have spoke with Rallispec who spoke with Cusco and claim this bar fits wagons and sedans.

2. As a result, my stock endlink bushings are starting to crap out and a thin donut of rubber bushing is hanging off. What should I do about this?

after this post i'm considering the front as well.

i installed the rear and love it, running at medium setting with stock EVERYTHING... down to the RE92s(i know i know, i'm working on that) but feel like i still have "meh" mediocre turn in. this makes me dream of the front sway.

I posted in August after my install of these swaybars. They're still holding up excellently and I'm now considering aftermarket rear endlinks and possibly front links. I have 2 questions

1. My front swaybar seems to clearly be too long for the track and pushes the endlinks out. Am I the only wagon owner with this problem? I have spoke with Rallispec who spoke with Cusco and claim this bar fits wagons and sedans.

2. As a result, my stock endlink bushings are starting to crap out and a thin donut of rubber bushing is hanging off. What should I do about this?
1: mine seem the same way
2: no idea, havent looked at mine since i installed them in the beginning of september, i'll take a look tomorrow when i rotate the tires

edit:
well i finally got around to look at the stock front endlinks and it looks like that rubber is about to come off of the endlink so im probably going to upgrade it soon.

after this post i'm considering the front as well.

i installed the rear and love it, running at medium setting with stock EVERYTHING... down to the RE92s(i know i know, i'm working on that) but feel like i still have "meh" mediocre turn in. this makes me dream of the front sway.
my front sway bar hits my borla headers only in first gear while on full throttle, i have not had the front sway bar on w/ my stock headers but im just giving ya a heads up if that kinda thing would bother you, maybe someone can correct me about the front sway bar w/ the stock 2.5 rs headers?

I've installed them and my WRX pushed like a pig!

Here's my setup:
Koni inserts
H&R Springs
21mm F/R sway bars and end links (rear on 2nd setting)
17's w/ P-Zero's

From what I've heard there's no need to do the front bar. The WRX has build in understeer. Stiffen the back to correct.

I'm going to try their rear tower bar and v-brace along w/ an anit-lift kit. We'll see what happens!

your rear should be set to 24 - the front helps turn in tremendously and also greatly reduces lean in the turns.

As for push, its going to happen unless you relearn your driving style to suit an AWD car, and also tire pressure play a HUGE role

Whats the nice setup for a MY00 GC8 Auto?

I have 205/50-15 Toyo RA1, STI Adj. Suspension.

The car have stock swaybars @ F=19mm & R=20mm.

Camber set to full neg. on front. Cannot remember the toe and caster, but there are stock for street.

The car is almost balance, w/ a slight push when turning hard.

I notice that turning left, the car oversteers a bit, but that could just be me learning the AWD subaru.

Also, could there be a problem where having very hard swarbars could cause a accident if control is lost?

Also, could there be a problem where having very hard swarbars could cause a accident if control is lost?

yes. the bigger the sway bar the more oversteer you will have. if you are not used to this and go around a corner u may be sliding a bit. and if you have never experienced this you will probably flip out and try to countersteer. then your wheels may or may not catch.

watch this video its a good representation of being a bad driver

http://www.miktec.co.uk/vids/scoobycrash2004.wmv

My concern is where a balance cannot be met and how the car behaves to an ameteur like me.

Is there more work when the car slips in a turn or manuevering?

It would help me decide on if my stocks are enough for me, until my skills are grown and I can get 225/45-16 tires.

goto www.spdusa.com and just go to one of the products and then go down to the "information request" ask the guy about what he reccomends for a swaybar. he is a really cool guy and will answer your question within a day (depending on when u ask).

Thats where I got my info from way back, until i saw this post.

Ok. Thanks.

even the biggest rear sways wont cause oversteer on a GC without some major camber........its all about knowing to power through the turn on an AWD and not the often-natural inclination to lift

Thats the thing. I am still learning, but due to my suspension setup, I think I a tab too much body roll. Not much.

This thing is that I do not want to do too much unload of the chssis, but here where I live, the roads are small, so a minor over the line could mean touching a car.

Also, I think my tires, very small right now, would do with an upgrade to 215+ before I can fully take of my sus setup.

If I had to go w/ a setup, i would go with a 22mm front and 22+ rear swaybar.

But as spdusa states, the 19/20 f/r setup is good street driving. On the track, a stiffer sway would work nice, hence my reason for the upgrade.

In that video, that guy keep too much left steer and forgot to take it out as the chassis unload. It could be that it happened to quick or he was never was in that situation.

I would totally stick with the 205's - the GC8 chassis begs for them. 215's do add more contact patch, but turn in response suffers IMHO. I played around with tire sizes for a long time and after some extensive research and fiddling with a variety of tires and sizes, the 205 (on 17 inch wheels with a +48) was the ideal setup

adam

OK.

So far, from 195 to 205, felt good. I am stick with 16"

Lucked out on a set of Cusco F (21mm) and R (22mm) sways and a set of Kartboy endlinks recently. Installed the rear & endlinks first, with bar on "softest" setting. Resulted in increased turn-in, reduced sway, and a much tighter, more responsive feel.

Added the front bar a week later, and further reduced sway & increased "tight" feeling, but returned tendency toward understeer somewhat...probably still less than stock, however. Re-set rear bar to middle setting, and that seems to be about right..for me ;-)

No problems with fit, finish, installation, or operation, with the Cusco bars or Kartboy endlinks.

Edit: installed on MY04 WRX Sedan.

where do i get these things from!?!? checked Cusco;s website and they're in the UK?

check out the vendor section, alot of them sell cusco stuff.....

where do i get these things from!?!? checked Cusco;s website and they're in the UK?

Actually, Cusco is in Japan...in fact, the instruction sheets are practically all in Japanese, except for one sentence on the first page, that says "These parts may only be used on vehicles in Japan."

yeahhhhh.....riiiiiiiiiight! :lol:

But yes, you can find them for sale by lots of vendors...google em up!

danny8630 - OM'ing you

please note we are currently backordered on all front sways as well as rear WRX sways...only have a few STi's rear sways left

I just got my 05 STI and after reading all the comments, I would like to get a set for my car. Where is the best place to get some Cusco sway bars? How much?

Shameless plug - but we are the biggest volume Cusco dealer in the country :)

Plenty of rear STi bars in stock: http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?model=wrx&cat=handling&prodid=116

can I use the cusco sway bars on MY02 wagon? or do I hvae to go with another company which makes the front one specifically for the wagon? I have heard some people say that their front endlinks are snapping due to incorrect stress placed on the endlinks because the wagon is a little bit narrower than the sedan? I want to buy both front and rear sway bars (preferably cusco) along with the endlinks.

also can I use the cusco sway bars with the perrin or helix endlinks or the gt spec and which ones does anyone reccomend? or do I have to use different endlinks? and in order to do the install all I would need is are the endlinks and the sway bars correct?? or do I need to purchase the polyurethane bushings for it separately?

ty I would greatly appreciate some feedback to help me influence my purchase decision.

yes you can use the Cusco front and rear sways on the sedan and wagon - they fit both

yes you can use these with Perrin or Helix endlinks - to do the complete install you only need sways and links - bushings are included with the sways themselves

adam

oh yeah one more thing... do I have to get my wheels aligned after I do a swaybar and endlink install??

Just put on my rear bar last nite. I went with the front and rear cusco with gtspec endlinx from z-1 performance. I also picked up a set of the upgraded 04 sway mounts. So the back bar, mounts, and endlinx took about an 1 hour and 1/2 with just hand tools. It was very very easy and i am no mechanic. Fitment was perfect. Ran out of time to do the front but hopefully its not much more complicated. I will post again when i have the front on. But the back right now is on the middle setting and it is a fairly noticable difference. Im stoked!!

Take your time, get a feel for the rear bar, alone. It's changed where the car's "limits" are, and what happens after you pass them. That "fairly noticeable" should change to "unmistakeable", after you put some more miles on.

Running the rear bar alone will also give you an idea on where you want to go (adjustment wise) after you add the front on...the front will change things again for ya.

crosta21 - awesome! Just wait till you put the front bar in - turn in response is much better, and the roll the body exhibits is reduced by alot.

OMG!!!!!!! We put the front bar on tonight! Install took about 1hour 45min, and was very easy. So anyway, i took the car for a spin. I couldn't believe this thing, it handled soooo much better, it was day and nite compared to just having the rear, i dont know why so many people only have that done. I didnt think it would help too much but jeesh. Turn in is sooo crisp and the back just sucks around after the front. It stays really linear, i mean i was taking corners way faster with more convidence then ever before. so yah, no comparison to just having the back. The car is just stupid, i almost scared myself a few times. I have a set of prodrive springs sitting right next to me, so hopefully they will go on real soon although i really can't imagine taking corners any faster then i can right now. U guys really owe it to yourselves to pick a set up!!!! And ill give z-1 props for having the cheapest prices on a kit i could find anywhere. The gt-spec endlinks look really quality too. I used anti-seaze as a lubricant and there is no squeeks so far!

Wirelessly posted (Treo 600: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 95; PalmSource; Blazer 3.0) 16;160x160)

you're all right about the front install. I used to be a tech, and that one raks right up there with a downpipe install. Unfortunately I didn't have access to a lift and used jackstands under the control arms. PITA!!!! I ended up rounding one of the bolt heads on the driver's side mount, and could not get it off for the life of me. I ended up fishing the bar through with the crossmember off, one mount off and the other one 1/2 off.

I gotta say - Holy turn in. I got the 22mm on the front and it was a huge difference. I also got the 24mm adj whiteline for the rear. I've been driving around with just the front upgrade on for 2 weeks now, and I wouldn't recomend the to the weak hearted. I'll be installing the rear this weekend, if I get my bathroom tile job done with time to spare.

Thanks everyone for the reviews.

:)

yep..the 22mm pays big dividends