STI flexible draw stiffener experience anyone?

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by norcalpb

The 15 and 18 TS only have the V bars, no tower brace. Is this a proper substitute for having stock v bars and the tower bar? Is combining all 3 of them
Overkill?

The V bars are a substitute of the tower brace, not the flexible stiffeners. DsomegaX has all 3. It is not that overkill. Maybe a bit more NVH.

[norcalpb]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

The V bars are a substitute of the tower brace, not the flexible stiffeners. DsomegaX has all 3. It is not that overkill. Maybe a bit more NVH.

So in theory the v bars provide the same rigidity as stock v bars + tower bar, but the v bars are more comfortable? Def looking for comfort here.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by norcalpb

So in theory the v bars provide the same rigidity as stock v bars + tower bar, but the v bars are more comfortable? Def looking for comfort here.

The '15 tS car was supposed to be more comfortable, so yes I think the v bars alone will be the best option.

[JDM4E]

Originally Posted by norcalpb

So in theory the v bars provide the same rigidity as stock v bars + tower bar, but the v bars are more comfortable? Def looking for comfort here.

well this thread is about the draw stiffener, but to answer to your question no it is not. Flexible V-Bar is substitute for solid V-Bar. logic dictates. Tower bar is to minimize flex between towers and flexible V-bar would do nothing in that department (if not worsen it by design)

[norcalpb]

Originally Posted by JDM4E

well this thread is about the draw stiffener, but to answer to your question no it is not. Flexible V-Bar is substitute for solid V-Bar. logic dictates. Tower bar is to minimize flex between towers and flexible V-bar would do nothing in that department (if not worsen it by design)

Oh thanks for this. But why do you think the 15 and 18 TS didn’t include the tower bar? So it could be sold as an acce$$ory later?

[nikitopo]

Guys, the tower bar is related with the v-bars. Both are mounted in similar position on the tower and have similar functionality. The tower bar was not included in the '15 and '18 tS cars, because the thicker flexible v-bars were giving better performance alone. I cannot find anymore the details of the '15 tS car in the STI page, but it stated clearly that the flexible v-bars were an improvement over the solid (thinner) v-bar and the flexible tower bar.

[norcalpb]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

Guys, the tower bar is related with the v-bars. Both are mounted in similar position on the tower and have similar functionality. The tower bar was not included in the '15 and '18 tS cars, because the thicker flexible v-bars were giving better performance alone. I cannot find anymore the details of the '15 tS car in the STI page, but it stated clearly that the flexible v-bars were an improvement over the solid (thinner) v-bar and the flexible tower bar.

Ok thanks this is exactly what I was looking for. As I’m sure you know, 80% of researching these is “flexible sounds counterintuitive”

[Leonardo]

So the TRD parts look bigger than the sti ones...






via Imgflip Meme Generator

[norcalpb]

Originally Posted by Leonardo

So the TRD parts look bigger than the sti ones...






via Imgflip Meme Generator

Yeah those are like $900 vs $400 for the sti ones. If money was no object I’d get these trd ones.

[Leonardo]

Thanks for the info. $900 just seems crazy to me!


I had just enough in my budget to paint and clear coat my OEM braces. LOL!

[Gunman]

Originally Posted by norcalpb

Ok thanks this is exactly what I was looking for. As I’m sure you know, 80% of researching these is “flexible sounds counterintuitive”

I know if I told my coworkers I put flexible braces in my car, to improve the handling, I'd be laughed at, and probably told to gather my stuff, LOL

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by Gunman

I know if I told my coworkers I put flexible braces in my car, to improve the handling, I'd be laughed at, and probably told to gather my stuff, LOL

You don't need to go extra stiff with this car. The flexible tower bar has been used even on the dedicated (Subaru sponsored) track car. It wasn't meant to be used only on road cars and it works very well:

[nikitopo]

On the other hand, I believe that the flexible draw stiffener is the icing on the cake ...

[wheelhaus]

This all sounds like marketing and voodoo. Anyone have any actual sources of test results or analytics that describe how flexible bracing actually works?

The grimmspeed bar is the only I've personally seen with actual testing, and it's as straight as a bar can get so it's absolutely as rigid as possible. It is on my car and the difference was noticeable. I cannot imagine any curved/arched/flexible bar being worth even half a pile of rat dung in the functionality department. (Just because it's on some car with sponsor stickers on the side doesn't convince me of anything). I am very interested to be proven wrong, however.