Quote:
Originally Posted by mit_peid
The bar looks good and I like the fact that you're trying to go for a OEM look. My question is about performance with a strut tower bar. My thinking is for 99+% of us, the functionality of one brand's strut bar will essentially be the same as another brand's. Discriminators for us would be how much quality is perceived in the design (including how strong and light it is relative to the cost) and obviously how good it looks in the engine bay. Intuitively, with a strut tower bar, I can visualize better steering response at higher speeds and especially if you have lower-profile tires compared to stock. I have the FRS that has spring rates that favor more oversteer when compared to a BRZ which have been described as being more balanced (relatively speaking). Does adding a front strut tower brace to a FRS make the car more balanced? I'm just asking here, but if I wanted to invoke even more oversteer in an FRS, should I be looking at more of a brace connecting the rear towers? I'm just trying to get more educated on car mechanics and handling in general.
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I would say that the effects of the strut tower bar are not the same as what you would expect from changing the sway bar up front. Adding a strut tower bar will not make it invoke more oversteer the way that changing the sway bar might. The benefits of the strut bar are mainly in predictability and consistency in driving. Linking the strut towers helps to minimize movement between them, which includes both tension and compression loads. The deflections that are present without the brace leads to changes in suspension geometry, however, minimal, but they are there. In practice, at relatively low speeds (20-30mph) we were able to more predictably break the front tires loose. Now, I'm not saying that the brace increases understeer at all, I'm saying that when trying to make the car understeer it was easier to accomplish with the brace due to the fact that minimizing deflections between the strut towers increases the predictability of the car's handling from minimizing unwanted changes in suspension geometry. Increasing predictability and "feel" for your car will always make driving it near the limit a bit easier. Also, you can expect a change for the better in NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) as the natural frequency of the chassis is changed with the addition of the brace, and in practice we have noted a significant difference in how the car handles pot holes and bump roads. Let me know if this makes sense to ya.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sanka86
can you add me as well
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Sure can!
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Originally Posted by sierra
How much does it weigh?
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The predicted weight is just over 4lbs (4.11lbs), so we expect it to be right around there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by goke186
pics?
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Working on a final sample, should have pics by Friday!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sutty
Add me to the list pls
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Done!
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Originally Posted by BlueSTaR
Add me please  |
Added!
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Originally Posted by fuddbutter
Has anyone flex tested the chassis yet to see if these new strut braces are needed?
of the 8 people i have asked who have installed one of various brands, only one person so far has said it's done anything..
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@
Captain Snooze quote what's probably the most accurate reply to that. His answer is correct. It isn't
needed, but it is certainly good for a performance improvement. I might have some testing video to post tomorrow...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Snooze
It isn't needed.
Given I have aftermarket struts and front lca bushes fitted I am willing to bet the asking price for this bar. If I don't notice a difference it is a small loss. (And hey, I'm not saying my purchasing decisions are perfectly rational.)
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Right on!
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Originally Posted by Detailer_GT86
Add the German guy please
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German guy added, thanks for the support!
Quote:
Originally Posted by RAN94A
interested
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Sounds good!
We've got some testing video from a couple weeks ago that we'll probably post tomorrow if I can get around to editing it into a reasonable length! Lets keep this going!
Matt Beenen
Engineering