Quote:
Originally Posted by Jordan Silveira
Just curious but what made you decide to get rid of the JDM Tower bar? I would think having both together would help firm up that rigidity even more. I mean admittedly, I'm a JDM and STI junkie (I was the same way with my Ludes back in the day) so I wanted to go with the trifecta of all three STI braces. I obviously hope all three work in coalition and improve the rigidity and ride quality by threefold; especially when dealing with these equally bad roads that inhabit Southern California. I guess we can both say Northern and Southern California are rough roads to roll down.
I must say, I totally get what you're saying about the USDM V Bars being more stock looking because the OEM ones were black to start. However, I kind of like that stealth look and actually thought the USDM would be a better fit for me because I drive a HyperBlue (blue and black scheme). I severely doubt there would be any difference between the two besides aesthetics but perhaps I may be in the market to trade for your pair of black ones if the idea piques your interest.
As an aside, have you thought about just going to your local dealer and asking what part number the draw stiffener falls under and ordering it through them that way? Not saying they'd for sure be able to help but just a thought.  |
The reason I sold the tower was just for maximum NVH reduction because like you said our Cali roads are atrocious, and a lot of my favorite roads have these massive “fixes” that stick up like an inch off the ground. IMO the STi bar added more rigidity combined with the sti V bars but there was a minute nvh increase as well. Also, weight reduction =P.
I also went flying off the track at thunderhill at turn 9 (I thought it was a sharp right over the crest but it was really a sharp straight. First time here lol. I’m not sure if the V bars made the voyage less harsh but I’d like to think so considering it seems like the front of my car caught air and landed but I never hit the bumpstops even with 280# springs.
The technical reason I got rid of the bar is found in Grimmspeeds own data analysis on their strut bar. They stated they were very surprised by just how well the stock V bars worked for not having a bar to triangulate the structure. I think this idea is mirrored in the 15 and 18 tS. Maybe by having thicker V bars (I think Sti is a bit thicker than oem), you can eliminate the need for the center strut bar? Just a theory of mine.
I would love it if my dealership could find it, but I’m usually the one who has them flip their computer around so I can identify items on the diagram for them.