Im looking to upgrade to an itr rear sway bar. It seems you need a kit to avoid potential ripping of the attachment points. I have found a BSQ kit (Type-R rear swaybar mounting/reinforcment kit) for $20 and a Beaks kit (Welcome to Beaks Products) for $65. Does anyone have experience with either of these or any others? Am I going the best way with this or should I just look for an aftermarket that directly bolts on? Also, I havent seen many aftermarket bars that offer the same 22mm as the usdm itr bar. Just looking for thoughts/ advise.

 

i cant comment on the ITR vs. aftermarket cuz ive only had aftermarket, but my suspension techniques kit for 97 hatch works like a champ, and its pretty cheap.

but thats just my $0.02

 

one advice.. beaks kits rip out subframes.. but im not sure about an oem itr sway. if you have money id suggest the asr brace

 

The beaks is supposed to prevent subframe ripout. I looked at the asr brace, but becides being expensive itself, I have a neuspeed lower tie bar.

 

Asr Ftw!

 

I have the beaks kit and like it. No subframe tear out (yet), but I dont autocross often.Also be careful! The aluminum backing plate strips out easily(i know).
Ive only had the 22mm itr swaybar so i cant really compare, but i love it. If you want the rear end to come out, it WILL come out. Id try it out and if you want more, get yourself an ST one.
one more thing, get 15/16" bushings if you havent already. The parts guy talked me into 7/8" ones and it squeaks like a mofo, even with their grease.

 

Beaks kit (Welcome to Beaks Products) it looking nice for $190. Anyone else? Also, ST bar is only 19mm.

It seems that if there was to be problems with the beaks kit, it would be from putting such a big bar with a soft suspension. I don't so it shouldn't be a prob w/ my coilover setup. Does this sound right?

 

subframe tearout doesnt really have to do with shock/spring setup. Its more related to the sway bar and its resistance to twisting and relying on the thin metal it attaches to to hold up...

When I bought mine, it was only 60 bucks, but did not include the swaybar and endlinks or bushings. I pieced those together and still came out around a hundred bucks. I think youll be happy if you get it. I am.
BTW Opiumdaze, that is one clean azz friggin hatch in your sig !

 

I keep sway bars from tearing out the thin sheet metal by
drilling upward as far as needed to see daylight,
installing lonnnnng bolts through a flat plate and
putting nylock nuts on top of the bolts.

3" by 3" plate seems to work well.

and I silicone seal the plates on both sides to keep out moisture.-Bob

 

Depending on what spring rates you have, you might not have enough flex to tear it out. If it happens however, you might be kicking youself in the shins for not getting it. As far as beaks this and ASR that, I'm going with the ASR subframe reinforcement.