Anti Roll Bars & Strut Braces - N00b Advice

[ChrisD]

This is the first car I've ever looked at doing any real modifications to so sorry if any of these things are dumb questions... We all have to start somewhere eh.

I'm planning to get a turbo kit on my GT86 but it seems like the sensible thing to do is sort out the chassis and brakes etc first. First thing I want to do is stiffen it up - so I'm ordering KW V3 coilovers, but for anti-roll bars and strut braces I'm not sure what people recommend (or recommend against).

Initial plans that I'm looking for feedback on:

SUMMIT front strut brace: http://www.fensport.co.uk/Parts/Mode...ategory_2/4582

TRD anti roll bars front and rear: http://www.fensport.co.uk/Parts/Mode...ategory_2/4018

OR would anyone recommend getting these SUMMIT anti roll bars instead of the TRD ones?
Front: http://www.fensport.co.uk/Parts/Mode...ategory_2/4543
Rear: http://www.fensport.co.uk/Parts/Mode...ategory_2/4546

I was thinking of this rear strut brace but then read a post on here saying the GT86 doesn't have rear struts... and I noticed even though the part is titled as a rear strut brace, in the description it says front strut brace: http://www.fensport.co.uk/Parts/Mode...ategory_2/4574

Do you think it is worth going for additional stiffening parts like this as well or is this going to be overkill and not make any real difference? http://www.fensport.co.uk/Parts/Mode...ategory_2/4578

Thoughts on SUMMIT stuff in general? Anyone else using their products and are they known as a good or bad brand?

Thanks
Chris

[cjd]

See what the car needs after you get the coils installed and the car aligned.

What is your intended use? Perhaps you've mentioned it and I missed it (or forgot)

I'd look at poly bushings before braces, personally.

Tires, spring rates, alignment also play a role in swaybar selection.

[Captain Snooze]

Important part: you are asking for opinions and they are going differ.

Front tower brace is a good investment for improving the feel of the front end. Some people claim a difference in steering but I have not observed this.
Read this post for a good test of the difference with the brace on and off.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...postcount=1150

Rear "strut" brace is a mis-nomer as there are no rear struts on the 86/FR-S/BRZ. The floor section between the top suspension mounts make a brace redundant. There are no towers to be supported. I would pass on that one.

Sway bars are a compromise. They are not an ideal solution but they are cost effective. Given the increase of the spring rates of KWv3 over stock I would suggest holding of with the aftermarket sways until you know what the upgraded suspension feels like. That is, one mod at a time.

This gentleman claimed great benefit from a Front Lower 4 Point Chassis and Subframe Brace http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...5&postcount=27
but I am thinking that there other things that should be done beforehand. That poster is the only example I know of someone fitting that kind of brace.

[maxjedi]

I would suggest to install coilovers with adjustable LCAs (and good tires), get a performance alignment done, then test the car on the track. If you are happy with the results - no need to touch anything else. If not, tell us why (also tire sizes, alignment numbers, how much the car is lowered) and we will provide good advice. I recommend against ANY aftermarket bars and braces if you can't tell exactly why you want them.

[ChrisD]

Originally Posted by cjd

See what the car needs after you get the coils installed and the car aligned.

What is your intended use? Perhaps you've mentioned it and I missed it (or forgot)

I'd look at poly bushings before braces, personally.

Tires, spring rates, alignment also play a role in swaybar selection.

It will be used for track days and the occasional drift event, but also needs to be road legal and not insanely harsh on the street.

I did look at the poly bush kit but I was amazed how expensive they were just for some bushings (£600, which is about $1000 USD) and didn't know if they would make as much difference as strut braces etc.

[ChrisD]

OK so the general consensus seems to be that I should just wait until I've got the suspension on and see if I feel like it even needs any more stiffness / anti roll.

I might just order the front strut brace when I order some new lights anyway as it is relatively low cost and seems like a lot of people use them. But for the anti roll bars yeah I guess I should just see if the car feels like it needs it first.

[Racecomp Engineering]

The rear brace is essentially useless. The front brace can be felt, but I don't think it's as useful as some of the key bushings. Bushings are often overlooked but a pretty big deal IMO.

It's worthwhile to put the coilovers on first before adding swaybars. Swaybars can add large amounts of roll resistance cheaply and easily. Big bars can have their drawbacks, but properly sized they can be a good addition to your car. Being able to make adjustments to the balance of the car easily via an adjustable swaybar is pretty nice too.

- Andy