Reviews on the TRD Door Latches/Stabilizer

[Calidrifter]

Seeing as this is one of those parts that trickled down from the LFA you could see why it's expensive.

[TuxedoCartman]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Point is that the money spent on these door shims would be better spent on tires, springs, roll bars, brakes, etc. Does anyone really think this supposed performance mod would seriously reduce lap times? Or does it just look cool? Just like those who want to see dyno data before believing an engine mod, show me some real world lap times on how well this mod really works.

-J

Then look on TRD Japan's website. They have a ton of data on the part there. Not my job to find it for you, since you seem to have made up your mind that you're the expert on how exactly an FR-S should be tuned. (Speaking of, do you even drive one of the twins, or even a FR car at all?)

[HotLavaMann]

So I installed these today (will post a DIY article briefly as I took some pictures).
I can confirm that they are a bit of a bitch to install. The hard part was loosening the screws holding the existing hook to the door frame. I had a nice breaker bar with a large Philips head screw socket on it but that started stripping it so I ended up using an impact driver to get them started.

As for how the stabilizers work: I'm just calling them "bling" for now as any marginal increase in rigidity is beyond how I'm currently driving it. Will they pay for themselves in increased cornering? Hell no. Do they look better than stock and is it kind of a cool little tweak? Yeah, guess so.

[HotLavaMann]

I posted pictures and quick summary in the DIY section for the door stabilizers.

[lazyluka]

Here is my opinion.

I had these installed before I picked up the car. Why? Well the front of the car has a sway bar, and engine braces already. It's not going to be that flexible. The back of the car is also fairly solid.

The part where the car will flex the most (over time) will be in the middle where the driver sits. If these help reduce body flex then I am hoping a few years down the line, my chassis will still be fairly straight. I mean this car has frameless windows, so you aren't getting the same rigidity as you would get by having a frame around your door.

I haven't upgraded anything else, but from catching up with a few owners here in NZ, I have noticed that after 5000km my hood aligns perfectly and their hoods have edges that aren't quite aligning to the front fenders any more. Not sure if the TRD Door stabilizers are the cause.

[Splat]

Originally Posted by denverizzles

please excuse my ignorance, but what is the purpose of these door stabilizers? does the door wobble? is it "unstable"? i don't see why a brand new car would need door stabilzers

I was ripping up hill in a very unstable fashion thru a few turns and my car door open light was on. So, I vote probably will be good mod. the car obviously flexes more than thought.

[mrk1]

There is a reason some people refer to stiffing the chassis as tuning the 5th spring. The chassis of a car loads and unloads just like a conventional suspension spring. Yes this is one small part but if your adding braces to the front and rear of the car. It makes sense to also brace the middle of the chassis. If you don't think the middle needs bracing open both doors and look at the car from the side, what do you see. To me these seem like a good attempt to brace the middle of the car without intruding on interior space.

I'd like to try these out, I love a stiff chassis.

[Carlitoz3]

Why so expensive though?
Cause its from Japan??

[emutcfut]

Installed these last week just to add some TRD bling to the car. Didnt think they'd actually do too much but after the first drive I was was convinced they were worth the price.

When I first got the car I thought it was near perfect except for the steering. It felt a little sluggish like either the steering rack was a little slow or it had a huge deadzone. I'm no racecar driver and couldnt tell exactly what was going on. After installing these, that sluggishness is gone. Any quick steering inputs and it just darts in that direction. It's most noticable when changing lanes quickly. Feels perfect now.

I'm still on stock suspension, tires, and tire pressure. If it's placebo I dont care cause the car feels that much better. Just my experience.

[OrbitalEllipses]

^Steering rack bushings would have been cheaper.

[emutcfut]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

^Steering rack bushings would have been cheaper.

You're probably right and a lot easier to install too!

[j122987]

After reading all this,
All i have to say is
Jimbo is an idiot

TRD part.... Thats why its that price
And even at that Price
Its not even expensive.....

I ordered a set!
Cant wait!

[Yoniyama]

This part was designed by Aisin. Aisin won a Good Design Award Japan (G-Mark) in 2012 for this part.

See: http://www.aisin.com/news/2012/000111.html

[nzer]

Originally Posted by j122987

After reading all this,
All i have to say is
Jimbo is an idiot

TRD part.... Thats why its that price
And even at that Price
Its not even expensive.....

I ordered a set!
Cant wait!

I've got them. Don't care whether they do anything or not - they look cool!

Just keep an eye on them, I had one replaced after the spring went in it.

For a TRD part they are actually one of the cheap ones.