Anyone here upgrade the anti-roll bars (aka 'swaybars') on a 3.2 to a V8 or 'R' configuration? My other cars have considerably less body roll (yes, one of them is also an SUV and rolls much less) so I find the body roll of the XC90 to be a bit much. I'll be replacing the shocks and struts in a week or two, upgrading to the sportier Bilstein option, and I think a set of anti-roll bars would complement it pretty well.

I saw IPD has a kit but it's over $500. I'm looking to do something cheaper, like buy thicker bars from a higher-performance version on eBay or something. I'm just not that familiar with XC90's and not sure what trim levels were offered with which anti-roll bars. Did a little Googling to research it but not finding a lot of info on DIY upgrades...

If anyone here has done a bar swap or can point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.

 

​​​​​​​Wrong thread? I haven’t posted any videos.

 

I can't comment on swapping in bars from another model, but I have installed the IPD product. A few comments to consider. Bar "resistance" is a function of the cross section area, so us the pi r squared formula..) of the bar. Say the factory bars are 22mm and the V8 or R bars are also 22mm, you won't be gaining any rigidity. About the only consideration is whether the end link design is the same across models or improved. The IPD kit shows a 25 mm front, 28 mm rear. You can compare this to stock, R and other aftermarket providers to get a sense of the increased bar size. So if the new bars take you from 22mm to 25mm, you will gain 30% more bar area... Last comment, these thicker bars will eat OEM end links for lunch so do the install with the available heavy duty end links. IPD sells these as well - just not sure if they are part of their kit or an add on. As to the results, I loved the bigger bars - single best investment to improve handling IMHO.

 

Thanks. I also reached out to FCP Euro and the tech said the front & rear bars on the 3.2 are the same as the V8, so no joy there. He apparently didn't have any info on the R model.

I'm not ready to drop over $500 on bars yet so this mod will have to wait a while. I spent $900 two weeks ago on new calipers, rotors, pads and hoses all-around, and I just bought new rear shocks for about $200 which I'm installing this weekend. Following those will be the front struts, maybe the following week if my wallet can handle it.