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Old 04-17-2009, 08:37 PM   #15 (permalink)
q-authority
Fab4MR2
 
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Toyota took the rear sway bar off the later 87 model thru 88's. They put it back on the 89 (at least on the SC). The sway bar mounting holes will probably be on all of the MR2's even if they did not come with a sway bar (just standard production). My 87 did not come with a rear bar, but had the mounting holes.
Yes, you can mount endlink tabs on the strut casing, but you’d be better off welding them in place, as they have to handle a lot of force and the bolt-on clamp types have been know to shift around, which will mess with your handling. Also be aware, that the upper muffler heat shield may rub a little on a sway bar that is added to a car that did not have one, as I think they changed that a little on those cars. However, it is not that big a deal and can be bent somewhat to avoid this.
You could also set up your suspension quite well without a rear bar. I don't use one any more and am extremely happy without it. There is a great write up on another MR2 forum, which describes how a National SCCA winner uses only heavier rated springs instead of any sway bars (front and rear). It makes complete sense, but it does make the front end a little sensitive.
Having an auto, however, you might want to stick with a rear bar, as the auto adds a lot of weight back there. I haven't seen much written on improving their handling, so I am not sure if all will apply to it equally well.
Other than that, make sure you are driving the car properly. A bit of understeer, even on a race prepared AW11, is probably normal. Brake early and accelerate through the corner, thereby forcing pressure on the rear end to rotate outward instead of the front. I know it took me years of driving an MR2 for this to come naturally. It’s somwhat backwards from a front engine car.
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