[Jordan Silveira]

Originally Posted by norcalpb

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.

Well thank you for your long and detailed explanation. I appreciate the video too! I'm glad that you feel like the V Bars may have impacted that situation. I think you may be on to something though with both SoA and the 15 tS only going with the V Bar and Draw Stiffener for both tS models. Maybe they know something we don't. I know all about those "fixes" you speak of haha. Driving through California is a big game of Mario Kart trying to avoid turtle shells and banana peels (read as: potholes, uprooted tree roots, trash, wood, cargo, and supposed "fixes").

I will say one thing that I've found thus far in "building" this car is the following; nothing and I mean nothing is world changing, simply incremental. The TRD intake was slightly better throttle response and the accompanying sound generator delete helped improve overall engine sound. The header, overpipe, and front pipe from Fuji have definitely made a more aggressive tone and made the power band feel a bit more "unhinged" but again, nothing world changing. With that said, I don't truly anticipate anything world changing by adding the braces (or anything for that matter, besides going FI). If history serves any purpose in this subject, I'm hoping by adding the tower bar into the mix, each will incrementally improve the overall driving experience. What I hope is that by the end of it all, all those incremental changes make one beautiful experience both aesthetically but also in the driver's seat.