GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

i just checked under my car where this part goes and i have one there already. is there really a need to change to an aftermarket one?

It helps a bit.The body doesn't roll into the turns any more.So,I guess it helped alot.It just keeps the rear stiffer(tighter) in the turns than the stock sway bar.

I swapped mine out and definatly felt a difference in handling around corners. of course I often corner pretty fast lol...

of course you have the factory sway bar, however, upgrading it will decrease body roll and allow better cornering and handling.

Definately worth the price of admission. I assume you already have lowering springs. If not do them first.

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »of course you have the factory sway bar, however, upgrading it will decrease body roll and allow better cornering and handling.My GMC didn't have a rear sway bar and when I installed one the difference was incredible. Then I put on Bilstein shocks and wow again.

its like 100 bucks, deff worth it for the handling benefits. Ill be doing this but should find a job first...haha. Yeah if you dont have lowering springs look into those unless your staying stock height, but the springs help a ton too.

if you are looking for superior suspension:coilovers > springsswaybars > springssprings > lame stock suspension

or get coil overs, sway bars and strut tower bar

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »or get coil overs, sway bars and strut tower bar thats a killer combinationThing to consider with coil overs... very stiff and they squeak.I'd say a good set of handling springs, sway and strut bars would set you right in street applications. If your into being competitive like SCCA solo or what not... stiffer is better.

hahha and coil overs are expensive! but like mav had, ill be getting sway bars. Currently I just have springs and strut tower bar.

not all coilovers squeak.... mine do (of course). but with a little more TLC they shouldn't. if not for solo II, the s-techs, rear sway and front strut bar looked good and was fine for daily driving. however, for the amount of cornering, braking, and beating my car takes, the coilovers are a definite improvement. I would still like to upgrade my front sway bar, however, that isn't a priority right now.

Best $100 bucks you can spend. Gets rid of 95$ of understeer, which in the Vibe is excessive stock. 15 minute job. Just make sure you torque the bolts to 150 #. I bought a torque wrench from Harbor Freight for 15 bucks to accomplish the task.

best 100$ u say???how about a front tower brace on ebay for under 30$, that sounds like more of an investmenteither way ty all for the replies, im ready to purchase ALOT of things for my vibe for next autox event: tires, the best 140 treadwear money can buy, front tower brace, rear sway bar, motor mounts, and gteck RR.i just went to my first autox event and i did very well i think considering my tires are rated at 420 treadware. then i decided to jump shotgun in a minicooper S with kumho v710s (they have 30 treadwear), and ill just simply say i was scared to death that we were gonna loose control with how hard he hit those turns, but we didnt so it was more fun than an roller coaster.

front "tower" strut bar does not do as much as you might think. The rear sway bar is a lot better. But do both

RSB > FSTBthe FSTB will help a little, but not near as much as the RSB.

I agree with you to a certain point.Coilovers>Springs>Performance Tires>Sway Bars>OE Set-UpI would replace the spings before thinking about a sway bar any day.

ive already got the spings and shocks replaced.tires im still deciding alot, i could go for something really nice like kumho v710s for track day only use at 200ish per tire. or something just over 140 treadwear and keep myself in the STS catagory instead of going to the SM. i will be faster, but my pax will be slower i bet

One of the things some of us keep forgetting is that the Vibe is already an agile, and nimble machine right out the box. Yes, everthing that was metioned will greatly improve handling, but if you are upgrading one item at a time we should start with the item that provides the greatest improvement first. Swaybars and towers are fine, but Coilovers or Springs/Shocks, and Tires will give you the greatest satisfaction quicker.

Quote, originally posted by Dezz1 »One of the things some of us keep forgetting is that the Vibe is already an agile, and nimble machine right out the box. Yes, everthing that was metioned will greatly improve handling, but if you are upgrading one item at a time we should start with the item that provides the greatest improvement first. Swaybars and towers are fine, but Coilovers or Springs/Shocks, and Tires will give you the greatest satisfaction quicker. I concur, the vibe is like a monster truck with that wheel gap and body roll. The springs or coil overs should be the first upgrade for any one that will autox or want better handling.

read my last post, i ALREADY DID THAT,btw whats OE setup? is that toe and chamber adjustments?

Quote, originally posted by manicdan »i just checked under my car where this part goes and i have one there already. is there really a need to change to an aftermarket one?You're going to get a lot of yes' here, but I am going to be the one to say no. I don't see the point, and I didn't really notice any difference, but I'm not a big slalom-er! lol

I also finally got my Progress SB installed this weekend--- the handling gains so far are not as dramatic (noticeable) as I'd hoped. It helps slightly but not as much as the Springs will when I get them installed. BUT overall, so far, w/ my wheel/tire set-up, STB and RSB, the ride is more stable than stock.

You will cry with excitement once you get those springs on, and when you match them with good tires you will think to yourself "This is the best money i've ever spent." What springs or coilovers are you going with, and how about tires?

Yes, I know the springs will be the icing on the cake..... I actually have a set of Progress springs (new in box)(w/ camber kit!) that I picked up from someone for $50. I know most people here are Tein fans, but for the price I couldn't go wrong.I'm already running the 18" Moda's w/ Yoko. Avids (225/40's).

Ohhh Man so sweet. After installing all of that you will never come home. BTW I'm an Eibach Man myself.

Yes, I do like the Eibachs as well

Quote, originally posted by Dezz1 »One of the things some of us keep forgetting is that the Vibe is already an agile, and nimble machine right out the box.I've got to disagree with you here. The Vibe is better balanced than my old Grand Am, but there is way too much body roll in the stock form.Don't get me wrong, the progressive RSB it's defiantly better than stock, and well worth the money. There is just too much body roll for my tastes. I don't think I'll be happy till I spend the big bucks on the Hotchkis or TRD Sway Bars.

I agree with Jeremy,The reason I got the springs and strut bar and rsb was the body roll factor.In stock form,way too much body roll in turns.Since I upgraded the suspension and my tires,it handles so much better,and I can fly around turns with minimal to no body roll.Well worth the upgrade.

Okay, let me be a little more specific, the GT ia very agile and nimble right out the box. The stiffer suspension and larger wider tires helps alot.

BTW, please get pictures when you have those installed.