MFactory Swaybar review

[zx6r.j1]

It arrived ... after only 3 days including weekend :thumbsup:. Bought the kit from filling out a form at mfactoryhk.com and it was forwarded to a member here (trader?).

First of all, the product:

The kit comes with the swaybar, mounting/reinforcement kit, and the lower tie-bar. As my civic EG GLi (1994) does not have swaybar mountings on the LCA I had to source this as well.

The swaybar is solid 19mm, looks strong (can't barely twist it by hand) and powder coated blue.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/civic/IMG_2289.jpg


Nice red-painted mounting is solid and seems thick enough to do the job.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/civic/IMG_2290.jpg


Lower tie bar is made of solid alumunium block and nicely coated with gloss blue. Nice black allen bolt.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/civic/IMG_2291.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/civic/IMG_2296.jpg


The end links are made with joints (like ball-joints) looks very strong and have good appearance. I think this is better than the simpler whiteline links.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/civic/IMG_2294.jpg


Unfortunately, not too impressed with the bushings. They're not painted and ruins the overall appearance I think... The black bushing however seems to be of a good quality.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/civic/IMG_2295.jpg


Overall I'm happy with the overall package very solid product with a definite bling to it :cool: I have taken a leave tomorrow to install these ! :p

[EKVTIR-T]

Pretty nice.Look forward to your driving impression after you fit it.

[|N|]

how much do they good for.. looks like quality stuff

[BlitZ]

make sure u lock that allan key bolt dead tight so it wont twist..

the end links look OEM...:thumbsup:

[bennjamin]

the swaybar and tibebar are a very old design ~ seen it on another taiwanese reseller a few years back. TO be honest it still looks better than the whiteline design !

[revNhevN]

the swaybar and tibebar are a very old design ~ seen it on another taiwanese reseller a few years back. TO be honest it still looks better than the whiteline design !
Yep, originally from SRR.

[BlitZ]

By Design ASR is still better though.

the -ve of the mfactory - moved mounting of sway further out (not much of an issue with EG but EK its a no go)
- dont really like the allen key area.. its a twist area

[zx6r.j1]

now the installation ...

First I had to replace the LCA. As shown here my EG does not have mounting hole for swaybar. The replacement has polyurethane energy absorbing bushing. Quite nice and solid compared to the OEM one.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/IMG_2300.jpg


Then installing the swaybar mount, I found out the package only give a pair of allen bolt (needs 2 pair!) :( ... so off to Supercheap. I also noticed that the upper bolt mounting is not perfectly flushed with the frame so I put 2 small washers

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/IMG_2302.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/IMG_2305.jpg


The other thing is the mounting does not use the big swingarm bolt. There is an unused hole so I assume this is actually for other Civic model (EK maybe?). Hope the 2 bolts will have enough strength :o

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/IMG_2303.jpg


One of my biggest worry was how it will clear the exhaust. Nice to see all is good there ... it clears fine.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/IMG_2307.jpg


Finished installation, left ...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/IMG_2315.jpg


right ...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/IMG_2309.jpg


other views ...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/IMG_2320.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/IMG_2318.jpg


Overall a very straight-forward installation. Everything were in place except that 3rd mounting bolt and the missing pair of allen bolts. Took me about three hours.

It looks great too. The red-blue mounting and galvanised blue alloy lower tie bar really stand out from the back. Great bling ! :D

Now to do some tests ...

[tank]

I find it strange that the lower control arm bolt is not used for mounting the reinforcement kit.

The whole setup looks like its mounted on the original sway bar mounts only. Yet we are trying to protect this part of the subframe as it is the weakest area.

This kit does look like its for the EK Civic. The unused hole looks like its for a LCA bolt.

[bennjamin]

FYI the swaybar is upside down ! IT is designed to follow the OEM swaybar route.

[e240]

FYI the swaybar is upside down ! IT is designed to follow the OEM swaybar route.

It doesn't really matter. I run mine like this as well. :-p
But in this case, yeah, its upside down, running too close to the exhaust.
Swap it around and see if that works for the clearance.

[e240]

I find it strange that the lower control arm bolt is not used for mounting the reinforcement kit.

The whole setup looks like its mounted on the original sway bar mounts only. Yet we are trying to protect this part of the subframe as it is the weakest area.

As I've tested, the reinforcement is sufficient for the 19mm sway bar, and a 19mm sway bar if sufficient for the track. I think a 22mm sway bar is overkill and cause a twitchy rear end.



This kit does look like its for the EK Civic. The unused hole looks like its for a LCA bolt.
The sway bar and end-links are for a EK Civic. As a result, the end-link is not secured on the lower control arm properly. EG Civics use a completely different link to connect the sway bar to the lower control arm.

This kit can actually be used for either an EK or EG, I'm not sure what you mean by the end-link is not secured properly, looks fine to me. Can you elaborate?

This is not a standard EG link but a spherical bearing link.

[tank]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/IMG_2309.jpg


From the above pic, the endlink doesn't look like its secured to the LCA with the nut provided. The endlink bolt doesn't look long enough to go all the way through the mounting point on the LCA.

But it could also be my bad eyesight.

[zx6r.j1]

... so how did it go ?

Took the Civic for a spin around my area, plenty of high speed corners around banglhome yay :angel: Slowly I drove through my driveway (few speed humps here) and listen for any possible metal contacts... nope all smooth :thumbsup:

By the first roundabout I can already notice the difference and it is only a 5-10kph roundabout. so far so good. Then off to frankston freeway ramp 70kph and a 90 degrees corner WOOOW what a difference ...it handles like a dream. I can feel the front flat and planted, and pushing it a bit hard the back stepped abit, also feels flat and controllable. Seems neutral. None of the old wallowing of the civic :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

On the straight freeway there is no noticable difference. All smooth and stable :thumbsup: however exiting the freeway and driving through 60 zone roads I do notice the back has additional harshness to it. Somewhat bouncy. Not too much though and I expected this, so I reduced the rear pressure 1psi. Fixed that problem almost completely. Remembering that I also changed the LCA I'm not sure whether the sway bar or LCA was causing this straight-line, slow speed harshness -- anyhow it's gone :thumbsup:

So far I'm really happy with the whole thing. Remembering that this mod is for road use I can see future drive to the black spur or reefton will be exciting :angel:. Will keep an eye on the mountings but I also drove the gravel road with holes (that carrum watersport place thingy) and no problems so far ....

[zx6r.j1]

From the above pic, the endlink doesn't look like its secured to the LCA with the nut provided. The endlink bolt doesn't look long enough to go all the way through the mounting point on the LCA.

But it could also be my bad eyesight.

The bolt goes into the mounting nut about 3cm deep. Looks very strong.



It doesn't really matter. I run mine like this as well. :-p
But in this case, yeah, its upside down, running too close to the exhaust.
Swap it around and see if that works for the clearance.

DOH these things always happen don't they :o.. anyway I have not notice any contacts with the exhaust so will keep it that way. Will do a control check in 2 weeks :D

[Hyper_Performance]

The subframe problem only applies to the EK, this is why there is the additional hole in the brace. It is not necessary for the EG chassis.

The only difference between the EG and EK kit is the length of the tie bar. Other than that, the parts are interchangeable.

As for the moving the swaybar mounting points away from the oem location, this is intentional i.e to take the strain off the oem mounting points and instead, transferring it to the brace itself.

For further information, you may contact "e240" or "TODA AU" :thumbsup:

[e240]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/IMG_2309.jpg


From the above pic, the endlink doesn't look like its secured to the LCA with the nut provided. The endlink bolt doesn't look long enough to go all the way through the mounting point on the LCA.

But it could also be my bad eyesight.

No Buddy...The LCA is threaded and the endline bolts into the LCA.
Come take a look at my setup one day buddy!

:-)

[tank]

e240, my mistake about the endlinks as it wasn't clear from the photos. Thanks for the clarification. It is should be all good then.

[bennjamin]

DOH these things always happen don't they :o.. anyway I have not notice any contacts with the exhaust so will keep it that way. Will do a control check in 2 weeks :D


As said before- it actually doesnt matter if it doesnt hit anything. Its generally supposed to follow the OEM swaybar.

[PHD]

for the swaybar, is it for rear only? do i need to get the front sway bar to use as well?

PHD

[zx6r.j1]

for the swaybar, is it for rear only? do i need to get the front sway bar to use as well?

PHD

What's your car? I looked underneath mine (EG GLi) and it already has a front swaybar. Looks like it's 22mm but hollow thus less stiff.

I don't know why Honda wouldn't fit both front and rear as standard like some series. It's that much difference in handling quality.

[e240]

for the swaybar, is it for rear only? do i need to get the front sway bar to use as well?

PHD

There's no harm in getting a front sway bar if you do not already have one.
If you track, have a feel whether it is sufficient. Too thick a front sway bar can cause understeer.

[aaronng]

for the swaybar, is it for rear only? do i need to get the front sway bar to use as well?

PHD

There is a front as well but you don't need to upgrade your front sway bar to use a thicker rear sway bar.

While both front and rear sway bars reduce body roll, the front sway bar increases steering response but adds understeer. The rear sway bar on the other hand reduces understeer. So it is important to balance the thickness of your front and rear sway bars.

[BlitZ]

for the swaybar, is it for rear only? do i need to get the front sway bar to use as well?

PHD

depends on you car...

not sure about EG's or DC's,
but the STD ek4 em1 item is as thick as 99% of aftermarket ones at 26mm.

[vteccoupe]

YEAP Ek4 and em1 front swaybar is e same as EK9 front swaybar :thumbsup:


depends on you car...

not sure about EG's or DC's,
but the STD ek4 em1 item is as thick as 99% of aftermarket ones at 26mm.

[zx6r.j1]

Some updates ...

Okay ... I have been driving around the mountains here. Not too far just around the Black Spur and Lake Mountain with some backroad detours. Nothing more to say except that I'm really happy with the whole setup :thumbsup:. Going through the Black Spur the car noticeably takes less effort on the corners. Steering is more firm.

The day after that I noticed rattling sound from the back and upon checking the left side the end links bolt came loose. Changed and tightened it now so hopefully it will stay there. Took the time also to flip the sway bar. Much more clearance to the frame and exhaust now, even though the previous setup had no issues.

... and now waiting for October when I go to the Snowy Mountains :wave:

[e240]

... and now waiting for October when I go to the Snowy Mountains :wave:

Drive safe... cheers

[iijjee]

Just took delivery of my MFactory Kit this week. Mine was ordered late by mistake apparently and took 3+ weeks instead of 3-6 days. I also got only two bolts to mount the chassis brace and TODA have informed me that this is because all EG's overseas come with a 14mm rear sway as standard and that the 2 bolts used for mounting the standard one should be reused. As mine doesn't have one at all I have had to find some bolts.

Couldn't get allen key ones, black or silver, so will just put normal ones - easier to tighten with socket wrench anyway. I don't know why allen key bolts anyway, as tightening would be harder. Does anyone think they did this deliberately??? Is it possible to tighten the bolts too much?

Have also had to source LCA's which hasn't been an issue. I will install the kit when these arrive. My rear lower bushes are stuffed so I'm killing 2 birds with one stone, hopefully!

Taking my EG down the quarter this Sat Night but I doubt the kit will have an effect on my time! It should make the drive up to Willowbak a little more fun though!

Will write up my impressions once all is fitted!

[zx6r.j1]

... ok after a week, another drama. I noticed that on idle there's rattling noise from the back. Initially I tought the endlink bolt went again but after close inspection the swaybar is now hitting the exhaust :(. Note that this is after I flipped the bar for proper clearance.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/civic/IMG_2426.jpg


As this only happens after sometimes, I come to a conclusion that the swaybar moves laterally as it tried to find balance. Took the endlink off and moved to a good clearance from the exhaust, and block the left side using hose clamp. Hopefully this will be strong enough ...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/civic/IMG_2427.jpg


Took the time to re-bolt everything properly too. Used split washers and loctite.

The good news is the frame seems to hold fine. No cracks etc.

[bennjamin]

you have to make new piping to suit the full movement of the endlink or just put up with it.

[zx6r.j1]

Apparently Whiteline sells a 'lateral lock' so maybe the problem is quite common. Afterall, the endlinks is free-movement type so nothing stops the bar from moving sideways.

But at $18 maybe I'll just wait and see if my garden hose clamp does the job :p

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/widhibrata/civic/LateralLock.jpg