Hello all, I just got myself a used 2004 xB this past weekend. What a fun little car, lacks torque but it can get out of it's own way.

Stock handling is surprisingly good but there is room for improvement. I don't want to lower it, so springs are out of the question for now unless there are stiffer stock height springs that I don't have to get custom made?

A) I'm looking at the whiteline, TRD or progress rear sway bar. I'm leaning (no pun intended) to the whiteline with better bushings for the stock front bar. With stock springs and shocks will that give it close to neutral handling? TRD and progress bars seem easy to obtain. But where is the best place to get the whiteline? Is there a N.A. distributor?

B) Rear shocks. I'll probably be getting the Koni Sport shocks for the rear. I like the adjustability over the Monroes.

C) Wheels, I plan on getting some lightweight 15x7 rims and wrapping them in dry/wet tires since there is no snow around here. I'll probably go with 205/55-15.

JJ

 

Why don't you want to lower it? Stock looks mad jacked up.

If you want minimal drop but firmer handling, the TRD springs are the way to go.
As far as bars, some people say the whiteline really kills the ride, which offsets the adjustability. Progress or TRD will be the best compromise for handling and ride.
Monroes make a huge improvement in the ride, but for handling Konis or Tokicos are the way to go.
When you look at wheels, try to find low offset ones. Honda et40 wheels are light but look like poop IMO, unless you run spacers. Try to find 15-25 offset, also increases track by 2 inches or so, which you will feel in corners.

Just my 2 cents

 

I am thrilled with my Progress sway bar. $145 @ http://www.partshippers.com/index.ph...roducts_id=759

 

The Whiteline bar does nothing to affect ride characteristics.

If you want a real sway bar, get the whiteline. www.racecompengineering.com can get them for you. Their username here is GTWorx I believe.

 

If your looking to do some spirited driving on the weekends then i guess springs arent of great importance. But if you plan on putting sway bars, strut bars, shocks, etc... Then springs are a MUST!! You can install all these peices and you WILL feel a difference, but the lower roll centers and lower center of gravity can only be found with springs which is ESSENTIAL in helping a car handle better. I have along list of parts on my car because I race at least once a month, so i went ALL out and did my research and bought every single peice out there to make my car handle better. From chassis braces to sway bars, strut bars and even semi-slick racing tires (racing only).

But if you to keep it simple get:
1.) DC Sports Strut Bar
2.) Progress/whiteline sway bar
3.) Koni shocks (if you want adjustment), Monroes (if your looking for comfort)
4.) Springs (i know you dont want them but they are HIGHLY recommened)

With these few parts you will get better handling. As for rims i bought a set of Konig 15x7 (lightweight) for racing wrapped with Toyo RA-1. For everyday driving i bought Weds Sport TC005 16x7, very lightweight and very nice looking. Im not into big rims, if a waste of money and power. But if what you want is a show car then big rims are the way to go.

 

^^^^ all are good options to go with.

if you want the single item that will improve the handling the best.
get a rear anit-sway bar.
hotchkis, progress, whitelines...any on them will please you.

i have the hotchkis, but i prefer the look of the progress.
the whitelines attaces different than the other two and does not look good IMHO.

you can lower the car slightly (TRD's drop about 1") this helps lower the center of gravity and roll center.

will find that springs are not a bad option once you do it.

 

Thanks for the replies. I've noticed that the stock rubber has some pretty flimsy sidewalls. I'll definitely need to upgrade the rubber with some better tires. Luckily the car has 42k miles on it so the rubber will need some replacing soon.

I'll consider lowering a little bit. Originally I was going to lower it with the TRD springs but when I scraped my brothers driveway I then reverted back to keeping it stock height. But now I'm leaning back the other way since so far that's the only one I scrape on. Perhaps if I find some used springs from someone that wanted to go even lower.


JJ

 

You learn to take driveways at an angle

 

I had the Tein Hs and was not that impressed. Now i have Progress suspension all around ( $95 instead of $175 @ Summit Racing ) and the Progress rear sway bar. Now the rear sway has both nuts welded onto a plate that slides into the rear axle. Very nice set up. I also have the Hotchkis front strut bar installed.

With my winter wheels ( stock 15s ) i have litterally made latteral moves at high speeds and didnt break traction or have body roll. The daily ride is nice too, better then Goldlines IMO.

 

Can't go wrong with the Progress bar. Availability is good, the price is right, and installation a snap. It also makes a profound difference.