Do I need a Strut Tower Bar?

[muffinz]

Pretty sure the answer to the topic will be a resounding yes, but nevertheless allow me to describe my setup:

- 22mm whiteline swaybar w/ adj endlinks
- ST XTA coilovers (not installed yet. will probably lower ~1" and run ~-2.5deg camber)
- 17x9 RPF1's w/ 245 MPSS
- APR Studs & Mishimoto lugs

I plan on doing the hardest driving on track days with an occassional autox thrown in.

My Questions:
1. Are the stock braces sufficient?
2. How noticeable is the difference?
3. Should I get one?
4. If I get the strut tower bar, should I get the TRD door braces too?

Thanks in advance for the advice

[Racecomp Engineering]

You would get more benefit from a few bushings instead. Front control arms especially.

- Andy

[muffinz]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

You would get more benefit from a few bushings instead. Front control arms especially.

- Andy

Thanks!

How much would bushings and install cost? (I'd do it myself but I don't foresee that being an easy job & I don't have a lift)

Also is there a downside to getting the strut tower bar and running it without new bushings? Will I wear out stock bushings faster with the tower bar?

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by muffinz

Thanks!

How much would bushings and install cost? (I'd do it myself but I don't foresee that being an easy job & I don't have a lift)

Also is there a downside to getting the strut tower bar and running it without new bushings? Will I wear out stock bushings faster with the tower bar?

Depends on the bushings. Check the Whiteline KCA434 (ALK) and whiteline front control arm bushing W0509. Install price can vary...some shops are more comfortable doing the installs than others. Rear trailing arm bushing too.

No downside with getting a strut tower bar first. They do make a slight difference, just IMO the bushings do more.

- Andy

[muffinz]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Depends on the bushings. Check the Whiteline KCA434 (ALK) and whiteline front control arm bushing W0509. Install price can vary...some shops are more comfortable doing the installs than others. Rear trailing arm bushing too.

No downside with getting a strut tower bar first. They do make a slight difference, just IMO the bushings do more.

- Andy

Thanks again!

So I did the math and the bushings you mentioned would be ~$250 plus install. I can get a strut brace for ~$150 and install it myself for free

The bushings are a bit outside my budget right now.

Now for the difficult questions:

Would a strut top brace benefit my driving skill more or less than upgraded bushings? Would one complement the other? Would one put more stress on the car than the other? What are the appropriate steps - brace first then bushings, or bushings first then brace?

[aznatama]

If you get a strut tower bat, get one w/ the MC brace... Also, you may need/want to get rear strut tower bar to balance out the car.

Take car to track right now, then decide what you want to change, and mod accordingly.

[Dezoris]

Its not a quantifiable upgrade on a street car. It's one of those devices that you can use to fine tune some steering feel after you have hard bushings on a car that is more stripped down. I'd say skip it unless you have money to piss away.

[mav1178]

The answer is a resounding.... not yet.

Why? You have to ask yourself what is it about the chassis or steering feedback that you are lacking.

If you are modding for the sake of modding, go for it. If you have specific goals, you need to look elsewhere.

-alex

[Turdinator]

Do you need one? No.
Is it a worthwhile mod? Maybe.
Will you feel the difference with one installed? Probably.

I would recommend the Grimspeed bar if you want one. They have a great thread on the design and testing of it. I wouldn't worry about a rear strut bar as we don't have struts in the rear.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...ight=strut+bar

[boredom.is.me]

You don't need a bar that has a MCB. There are a few that can be installed separately. I personally can vouche for the GrimmSpeed bar (or any solid bar really). My logic would tell me to avoid anything with a hinge.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by boredom.is.me

My logic would tell me to avoid anything with a hinge.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by aznatama

If you get a strut tower bat, get one w/ the MC brace... Also, you may need/want to get rear strut tower bar to balance out the car.

Take car to track right now, then decide what you want to change, and mod accordingly.

no struts in the rear means no strut bar needed.

Originally Posted by boredom.is.me

You don't need a bar that has a MCB. There are a few that can be installed separately. I personally can vouche for the GrimmSpeed bar (or any solid bar really). My logic would tell me to avoid anything with a hinge.

what is a hinge going to change?

my advice would be to spend money on something that is going to have a quantifiable difference instead of something like this. a track day will cost about that much money and it is probably going to make you faster than literally any other mod. tires, coilovers, superchargers included.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by muffinz

Pretty sure the answer to the topic will be a resounding yes, but nevertheless allow me to describe my setup:

- 22mm whiteline swaybar w/ adj endlinks
- ST XTA coilovers (not installed yet. will probably lower ~1" and run ~-2.5deg camber)
- 17x9 RPF1's w/ 245 MPSS
- APR Studs & Mishimoto lugs

I plan on doing the hardest driving on track days with an occassional autox thrown in.

My Questions:
1. Are the stock braces sufficient?
2. How noticeable is the difference?
3. Should I get one?
4. If I get the strut tower bar, should I get the TRD door braces too?

Thanks in advance for the advice

No. Spend your money on track time and work on tweaking your current setup.

[boredom.is.me]

@fatoni
hinged versus solid - If you're adding rigidity, why compromise?