opinions on grimspeed strut tower w stock tires/suspension

[diss7]

I like what I have read about the Grimm Speed bar.

However, IMO, a proper stiff bar should need one of the shocks lowered to install. If it doesn't require this, it means the holes are slotted, therefore have slop once in place.

But I can understand their reasoning behind slotting the holes, because the majority of customers would get the shits having to drop a shock; even though it only requires removing three more nuts and jacking the car up slowly.

This is why some bars have adjustment. You install, and then tighten the adjustment to remove the slop from the slotted holes; a concept that's missed on most.

But I'd still rather a solid bar like the GS one, just with direct (non slotted) holes.

[diss7]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Give me a bar to test and I'll gladly do it. Until then, I'll spend my money on things I know will make a bigger difference.

I usually agree you with you on most topics, you actually have a brain.

But, in this instance, we have different opinions about a front strut bar's functionality.

I'm not talked about the shiney ricey crap. I'm talking about a proper stuff bar. You will notice a difference, specifically inital turn in. It is obviously true that it also increasing front stiffness, so will increase understeer. But the car understeers at the limit stock anyway, and requires a stiffer rear sway bar anyway. Having this strut bar may mean the difference in two different settings on the rear sway (assuming its adjustable) But IMO the increase in understeer is minimal and I would doubt there is any need for further adjustment.

[mfbmike]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

.

That's the post. Thanks.

Originally Posted by wparsons

Give me a bar to test and I'll gladly do it. Until then, I'll spend my money on things I know will make a bigger difference.

lol. The GS bar is rather inexpensive considering. I got mine used for less than 100 bucks.

Super happy.

Originally Posted by diss7

I'm not talked about the shiney ricey crap. I'm talking about a proper stuff bar.

Essentially why I went with the GS bar over the TRD bar (I'm a huge OEM+ guy). Quantitative data (granted, provided by GS) showed advantages in their bar.

It's not the prettiest but def functional.

Their master cylinder brace is probably even more noticeable after install.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by diss7

I usually agree you with you on most topics, you actually have a brain.

But, in this instance, we have different opinions about a front strut bar's functionality.

I'm not talked about the shiney ricey crap. I'm talking about a proper stuff bar. You will notice a difference, specifically inital turn in. It is obviously true that it also increasing front stiffness, so will increase understeer. But the car understeers at the limit stock anyway, and requires a stiffer rear sway bar anyway. Having this strut bar may mean the difference in two different settings on the rear sway (assuming its adjustable) But IMO the increase in understeer is minimal and I would doubt there is any need for further adjustment.

Don't confuse chassis stiffness with roll stiffness... the point of a strut bar is to reduce chassis flex, not increase roll stiffness like a sway bar does.

The only way that a strut bar would increase understeer is by stopping strut tower deflection from adding any camber to the front tires, but there's no way anyone is getting enough tower deflection to get any useful camber gain.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure on some cars this bar does great things. My whole point is that if you're on stock bushings and upper mounts they will give way more deflection than the strut towers do, so until you have all those squishy bits replaced with harder bushings (or bearings) you haven't addressed the weakest links. On stock tires it's even less important since the grip levels are lower.

[SkAsphalt]

It is great.

I am out.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by normancw

Not sure if this video is to be believed (made by Cusco).

Too bad they show vertical deflection, which a strut bar won't help... a strut bar will just prevent the towers from deflecting toward (or away) from each other.

They also showed that on an almost 20 year old chassis. Try the same test on this car and see how much you can measure under the same situation.

[BlackyRose]

the responses kinda got all over the place......anyone in the last few weeks put this stru bar on their stock car and notice a driving feel difference?

[Mikepage]

Yes I feel a difference after installing the Whiteline strut bar. And now I don't want to ride without. Next step to install soon rack and pinion bushing.