Flyin' Miata Sway Bar Installation: ND MX-5 Miata

[@Davan514]

I want to take this time to tell you how much I am grateful to you. You’ve been quite a big help to motivate me installing those sway bars. It’s a heck of a job but your video allow me to get through it. Again, thank you very much and keep doing your good job.

[@DriveMX5]

Thank you so much, this is why I do it!

[@kelseyblanton9419]

Thank you so much for the install! Such a dramatic improvement. I couldn’t be happier with the results!!

[@DriveMX5]

I’m glad you love it!

[@giobox323]

Just wanted to let you know you have been a big inspiration to me with my own ND2. I've gone from having never wrenched on a car before to doing my own lowering springs, sways, oil changes etc, learning from your videos. Thanks so much!

[@DriveMX5]

That’s amazing to hear and why I started the channel in the first place! I’m so glad I can be of help. Thank you for the kind words and watching my videos!

[@lomosour]

Thanks for the detailed install tips! Between this Flyin Miata bars and the Progress ones which one do you prefer money apart? Thanks again!

[@luissantiago847]

Just ordered a set of Flyin' Miata sway bars thanks to your video! Thank you. 😄

[@DriveMX5]

Woohoo! You’re going to love them. Thanks for watching!

[@dpwiththe7758]

Yessir keep the heat coming

[@MonsieurClaville]

Once again great content! Keep it up my man!

[@DriveMX5]

Thank you so much!

[@Ginbaubabe]

Antiroll bars do not normally affect vertical stiffness. Increasing lateral stiffness do not equate to improved control on body roll. It reduces the degree of roll but the motion is still controlled by the dampers

[@DriveMX5]

The dampers definitely play the part in controlling the body’s oscillating motion but having a stiffer anti roll bar will keep the vehicles COG further inboard and reduce the effort needed by the dampers to control oscillations since they impart a larger force in trying to keep the car flat. Less weight transfer leads to a more controlled feeling when taking corners, and that’s what I meant during my review

[@hillbillysportsman5818]

Have these on my NB2 it was a Big Bang for the Buck!

[@MaxSpeedMike]

Dude keep it up. Loving the recent consistency

[@DriveMX5]

Thank you so much bro! I appreciate your love and support!

[@DoItYourselfDIYAtHome]

Would you to take a test drive and show and explain how the handling is improved with the new sway bars. Thanks for showing the complete removal and install.

[@DriveMX5]

I don’t have the footage to physically show the before and after, but I talk about the handling improvement and difference at the end of the video

[@Moriggia]

If you put the end links in the farest holes does it feel almost like stock? Have you tried to drift with the rear bar in the hardest position? Thank you! Keep uploading, I would watch anything you upload from Italy LoL.

[@DriveMX5]

To be honest I haven't tried the other hole positions. Drifting seems fun but I am too scared to wreck my car lol. Thank you so much for watching!

[@Spartan_Pope]

Thank you for the video! Sway bars are on my to-do list. Also, where did you get the t-shirt?

[@DriveMX5]

Thank you for watching! They are such a great mod. My girlfriend got me that for Christmas, here’s the link to the shirt: www.etsy.com/listing/781776015/mazda-mx5-nd-miata-black-t-shirt?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=ND+MX5+shirt&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&organic_search_click=1

[@rayenie8964]

Great content! Subbed. Just got off the phone with Fab9tuning, was told to only upgrade the front sway bar. No need for the rear one. Save money. Agree? Should I upgrade the end-links as well?

[@DriveMX5]

Thank you very much! I think it depends on what your goals are. For a street car that’s driven spiritedly, front-only sway bar upgrade is perfect. If you’re looking to fine tune the balance between over/understeer and roll control of your car, then go for both. I would say no to the end links. Kind of the same reason as above. They can be used as a tool for fine tuning the suspension but certainly not necessary.

[@rayenie8964]

@@DriveMX5 Thanks! I wonder if you can do a tutorial on the head unit upgrade. My 2022 Miata doesn't even come with Android Drive. Duh.....🤔

[@DriveMX5]

@@rayenie8964 I installed Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on this car but I never filmed the process. I should have! Are you in the US? All MX-5s in the US in 2022 came with Android Auto. You should see a white phone icon next to the top USB port in the center console. Plug in there, unlock your phone, and follow the prompts to initialize it.

[@rayenie8964]

@@DriveMX5 Yes, I am in the US. The 2022 ND2 does come with CarPlay, but not Android Auto. And it can't be activated like that. The 2023 models have both though.

[@DriveMX5]

@@rayenie8964 interesting, I could have sworn they have it. Must be mistaken. In that case, I am not sure how, or if, it can be added. Might need to contact a dealership service department for more information on it.

[@djjdmtundra]

Thanks for the video. Why you prefer flying sway bar than progress from Goodwin, cost ?

[@DriveMX5]

Cost is the biggest reason. They are quite cheaper than the Progress bars and about the same diameter (although thinner wall thickness on FM front bar). I'm not sure the material that Progress uses for their sway bars vs. FM, but the FM bar also has an extra adjustment hole on the rear bar compared to Progress. I honestly haven't tried the Progress bars yet. They may perform better than the FM bar, but I wouldn't imagine it would be by much hence why I think the FM bars are the best value.

[@djjdmtundra]

Thanks

[@tehsarr0w]

My next buy 🎉

[@Erkkremlinklum]

Will definitely be using this for my front sway bar! Curious how long it took you to do the front?

[@DriveMX5]

The first time, it probably took about 3 hours or so, maybe 4 start to finish. It is quite the job but so worth it!

[@lafamilia3014]

Damn bro you got everything!! Hahaha so you did eibach sways on yours and these on your girls car right? Which one do you think is better? These are are tubbing but eibachs are solid bars can you please let me know? Thanks

[@DriveMX5]

I liked the FM bars better. They had more adjustments, I think they were lighter, cheaper, and in my opinion performed as well if not better

[@ajr5195]

How wide is the garage you used to do the install? I have a single car garage that is 11ft wide and was hoping I could do the install in there. I have FM bars waiting to install.

[@DriveMX5]

I want to say it is 11ft wide as well. Not a lot of room to use a jack on the sides of the car. Thankfully Kelsey's ND in this video isn't low enough and I'm still able to fit the jack under the front and rear of the car to lift it via the subframe. On my car, I have to go from the sides and it is a pain as I can't move the jack handle all the way down without hitting the wall! Besides that I don't have issues working in there, it's a single car garage as you can tell

[@ajr5195]

@@DriveMX5 excellent! I plan to place the car closer to the passenger side to leave a little more room on the drivers side to get the front bar out. My car isnt lowered yet (waiting on FM to restock the koni’s) but my last ND was and I know your pain of the side jacking points. My jack handle separates half way up and its a life saver.

[@DaveSimkus]

How well-centered side-to-side does the swaybar have to be before securing it? Mine is like 1/8 of an inch off. If it's not perfect will it affect how it performs? Does it self-adjust side-to-side once the car is on the ground and driving? It's difficult to measure the gap on each side so I can't get it perfect.

[@DriveMX5]

You definitely want it to be centered and even side-to-side, but I wouldn’t sweat an 1/8”. It probably won’t make a difference. I’d imagine it would try to self-center over time when driving but am not totally sure.

[@DaveSimkus]

@DriveMX5 Man, do you remember how you centered yours? I've been at it for hours lol using a tape measure and a digital caliper but there is no clear reference point to measure from. I'm going from the frame where the bar attaches to the bar but all the parts are round, no edge to edge precision. It's really frustrating. How did you do it, any tips?

[@DriveMX5]

@@DaveSimkus I think I just eyeballed it. Haven’t noticed any weird handling characteristics or anything. Like I said, it sounds like yours is centered enough. You could attach the stops a bit away from the bushings and let the sway bar try to settle in and then readjust and tighten them later

[@DaveSimkus]

@@DriveMX5 Thanks for replying. I'll eyeball it the best that I can. Your videos help a lot. Thank you.

[@DriveMX5]

@@DaveSimkus thank you much!

[@grahamcrane83]

End links should be torqued when the suspension is loaded (on the ground).

[@DriveMX5]

Do you have a method of getting a torque wrench in there with the car on the ground? I have no ramps or other to put it on to simulate the weight of the car on the suspension and be able to get underneath.

[@grahamcrane83]

​@@DriveMX5 I actually asked FM about this and they said it's necessary on an NA, but the design of the ND end links mean it's not necessary to torque the bolts when the suspension is loaded. Prior to hearing this, I tightened them up (no torque wrench) when the car was sat down on some ramps. It's a bit ackward for sure and turns out unnecessary (according to FM).

[@lucianolucidi8624]

I have an nd2 with ohlins R/T. Can i just change the sway bar at the rear for having a more firmly rear?

[@DriveMX5]

@@lucianolucidi8624 when you say more firm, could you elaborate? Like yes just changing the rear sway bar would reduce roll in the back, but you’re also going to increase the oversteer tendency of the car

[@lucianolucidi8624]

@@DriveMX5 the guy who did the allingment on my ND told me that if i want the rear to move less when I drive trough the bends i should install a sway bar only at the rear. I don't know more

[@davideg5947]

Has anyone set them to the stiffest setting front and back? How was the ride?

[@Davan514]

What about changing only the front one. Would it be enough.

[@DriveMX5]

Probably. Plenty of people choose this option and it works well. I like the value of the package for both and then you have the ability to adjust the balance of the car more finely

[@Davan514]

I just learn that MF are selling the stage 1 kit to reinforce the front sway bar on the frame. Strange that they suggest to add this as an insurance. Have you heard about it? Any problems?

[@DriveMX5]

I’ve heard about it and they’ve sold them for other generations all the way back to the NA. As far as I’m aware, breaking the sway bar mounts on these cars isn’t a common thing at all. I’ve tracked my car with coilovers and aftermarket sway bars and not broken anything. I don’t personally see a reason to get them, unless you like the peace of mind or have broken a mount already.

[@Davan514]

@@DriveMX5 don’t you think that installing Progress spring on my Bilstein should be enough to tame the roll of my ND 2018? I don’t do autocross or track. But Sometimes I want some fun on some road. Some said that spring can do the job without the fuss of sway bars (installed or sub frame abuse)

[@DriveMX5]

@@Davan514 how much taming are you looking for? I had just progress springs on my car for a while with stock Bilsteins and they helped with the body roll, but not near as much as sway bars will do. If your main goal is to reduce body roll, just do sway bars. Then you still have stock ride quality and ground clearance

[@Davan514]

@@DriveMX5 another question: do you think if we cut the OEM sway bar it will ease the installation of the new one ( trying to lighten up the process)

[@DriveMX5]

@@Davan514 definitely! I’ve heard of people cutting the ends off the front bar for easier removal. Only downside is now you can’t swap it back in again. When I sold my MX-5 I swapped a lot of the stock stuff back on to resell the mods, but obviously it’s up to you to see if it’s worth it to go through that trouble or not

[@jamespark6132]

Does the sway bar cause any ripping on the subframe mount

[@DriveMX5]

I’m not aware of this being a problem on the NDs. I’ve tracked mine with upgraded sway bars and stock subframe mounts and no issues

[@newtypeJP]

Do you need an alignment after sway bars

[@DriveMX5]

No, only if you are changing your ride height. But if you have the stock alignment and like to zoom, I would recommend getting a performance oriented alignment where they’ll add more negative camber, caster, and a bit of toe-in. It changes how the car feels for the better and adds more stability and grip. Flyin Miata’s recommended alignment is what I chose to do: www.flyinmiata.com/tech/alignment.php

[@DarR1299]

What alignment specs are you using?

[@DriveMX5]

We did Flyin’ Miata’s alignment specs: help.flyinmiata.com/align-your-suspension-chakras-By4oIc2zj

[@DarR1299]

@@DriveMX5 I'm also using the FM specs. Is your camber the same or different fore and aft? Reason for me asking is that my rear camber is 0.6 more than the front (-1.8R vs -1.2F). Consequently that provides more under-steering which must be offset by firming the rear swaybar to provide compensating over-steer in my case.

[@davideg5947]

The swaybars should be like these from the factory

[@DriveMX5]

Agreed!

[@davideg5947]

@@DriveMX5 exactly, why would I want to go through that whole process of swapping all of those components out. I am not technically savvy nor do I have the tools to do it. I would have to find a shop to do it and I am not sure they would be as thorough and as competent as this mechanic.

[@mynameisboots983]

Kelsey has one sexy car!!!

[@kelseyblanton9419]

🥺 you & me both sister!

[@kavalere]

yeah....I'll just pay someone to do it

[@mrspeeddemon727]

That's way too much disassembly for the front sway bar. Might as well take the whole damn car apart.

[@DriveMX5]

Haha it’s pretty involved but well worth the effort

[@mrspeeddemon727]

@@DriveMX5 I want to do it eventually. We get our brand new MX5 next Friday. At some point I'd like to do better coil overs and sway bars, make the car handle better and less body roll, but I'd be afraid I'd F something up having to disassemble that much of the car I'm completely inexperienced at this sort of stuff, so. I'll just bring mine to your house and have you do mine. 😁😁😁

[@DriveMX5]

@@mrspeeddemon727 haha you got it! Congrats on the new MX-5, I’m excited for you! Personally I would go with sway bars first. They do more to eliminate body roll than coilovers and won’t ruin your ride quality. Best bang for your buck handling mod by far, it makes a night and day difference