Shano

or would you still see some improvements in handling by adding the Sways?

WYSIWYG

their effects add up

cuatrokoop

Yes and no...

Yes, if you go with a stiff enough spring (ie track).

No, if you want better ride quality and still have good handling in one package (ie, street).

I'm only using the factory bar (front only on early CQ's), and linear springs can make for a somewhat harsh ride around town. But, its still liveable because my springs aren't too stiff for street (but a bit soft for track, compromise). Will I ever add a rear bar? Nope, because I can mess with the spring and damper rates, and don't mind doing so...

So really, its what you want to get out of them. I'd try a coilover setup with factory sways and see how it feels first, if you really want a coilover setup.

Sharon

and how much you can tolerate wheel lift.

We run a more extreme than most set up, w/ custom valved Koni 3012's and spring rates from 800-1100f and 1100-1400 rear. We also run modified diffs. We have nearly 0 tolerance for wheel lift in autocross. And, we run stock sway bars. It's not to say that the stock are so much better, we've experimented with quite a few combos of suspension +/- 19mm and 22mm rear bars and front bars. It's not like we won't ever find a combo that would work with a heavier bar, but we're not yet happy with those results. The experimentation doesn't end, though.

If you're using an off the shelf coilover system, you may like the added tail happiness of a rear bar (don't bother with a front bar on an S4).

My recommendation is to first find the coilover or shock/spring combo that you want and play with that. THEN, decide whether you want the sway bar.

Shano

Thanks for the response, advice will be taken.