Proper intallation and function of strut tower bars [Merged 1-7]

[toicy4ya]

Sup guys,

I dropped my spyder 1.2" yesterday and noticed that I feel a little body roll (I believe that's what they call it) when I make turns or switch from lane to lane. I thought of installing a front strut tower bar, Do they really make a difference?


Thanks

 

[scottigee]

What you really want to reduce roll is sway bars....or "anti-roll" bars as they're appropriately called. If you look at the suspension geometry in a roll you need more help underneath than on top.
Where strut tower bars and tie bars come in handy is in the rear when you're trying to dial out understeer.

 

[sherms_gsx_tank]

if you lower and stiffen your suspention it is a good idea anyway to get strut bars just cause there will be less wear and stress on your body. but yeah look for sway bars for the body roll

 

[projctWraith]

Yeah, over and under. Both really important. Also consider a floor bar.

 

[EclipseGSX012]

struct bar does help but it is good idea to get sway bar also. I'll tell you this much my friend were driving on a high way and he stepped on a brake on black ice and the car just did 90 degree and went straight to big pile of snow. Guess what the engine bay was stable and front end was pretty much damaged. I believe struct bar helps to hold the enginge bay together. That's what i think. If you want to get rid of body roll you want sway bar man.

 

[neuralracing]

Yeah, over and under. Both really important. Also consider a floor bar.

Floor Bar? I started a thread on that and most folks think it wont due crap. I think it will stiffen the body.

 

[Defiant]

We've repeatedly beaten this to death before.

Some claim huge differences. There's some debate whether they install in tension or compression.

I think they're pretty-much a waxed-car effect.

Refer to previous threads on the topic.

 

[mpb87]

I just bought a 1996 Talon TSI AWD. It has some performance mods but the suspension is totally stock. I wanted to buy a front strut bar so I could improve the handling a little bit and to make the engine bay look a little bit nicer.

I saw this one for only $40 and I am wondering if it is worth it or if it is junk, or if I should get something else instead.

http://www.dsmparts.com/customer/product.php?productid=320&cat=107&page=1

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[DGajre777]

A strut bar is a strut bar, that one looks fine. RRE makes some good ones www.roadraceperformance.com. I have the APR blue one because I wanted it to match everything in the engine bay when I'm done. I wrote a review about it on here yesterday. You can try ebay too.

 

[mpb87]

Thanks, I thought that might be the case, I wasn't sure if their was anything that I should watch out for

 

[jessebenner]

From what I've gathered from other AWD owners, you'll benefit more from a rear upper strut bar than a front one. Of course, having both is the best way to go, but your first addition might as well be a rear one. You'll just have to cut a couple notches in the little cover pieces in the hatch area - no big deal.

 

[MelloEclipse]

are these really worth it on a FWD N/T...or should i spend the little bit of money on something else?

 

[mitsuclipsegsx]

I think they are worth it on any car,you can get the front and rear on ebay for like 40 bucks.

 

[talonation777]

I agree, depending on what you have, you can feel the difference in handling. I had the aluminum one off ebay for awhile, it held up alright on my N/T. I recently bought a DC one simply becasue I got a great price on it. The ebay ones should do just fine. Perhaps you should look into getting some swaybars as well? Thats going to be my next suspension mod. Good luck man.

 

[Dragon TalonTsi]

They do help in cornering and such. I have the whole strut kit on my car. It rides like no other.... it is worth it regardless....

 

[MelloEclipse]

if i get the struts....will i be ok keeping everything else stock, or should i start to look at some other things?

 

[talonation777]

if i get the struts....will i be ok keeping everything else stock, or should i start to look at some other things?

What do you mean by "everything else" . If you want to do a full suspension upgrade you could look into getting a full set of shocks and springs, an adjustable camber kit, lower tie bars, etc. Theres alot you can do with suspension, it just depends on the type of budget your working with!
Remember that just because you have strut bars doesnt mean the rest of your car will be invincible. If you take corners too hard, it puts alot of stress on your wheel bearings and a couple months down the road, you'll start to hear it grinding. Good luck man.

 

[Dragon TalonTsi]

The suspension is just like your shoes and socks that you wear. It takes you where you want to go, and in the process, how smooth and comfortable it gets you there. You wouldn't wear a pair of football cleats do a formal dance now would you? Think of the principle of the matter, supsension does matter. I love my suspension, and some other DSMer's like my suspension setup over their own. "A journey of 1000 miles always begins with that first step." The strut bars are a start, then finish it up later....

 

[DGajre777]

Here is some more useful information.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/tuning-guide/2gturbo/suspension.php

 

[tsi4ya]

How hard is it to install the rear strut and front strut?
i have heard that its takes about an hour? is this ture? how many of you guys did it take that long?

 

[hewhoisknot]

Um, it took me about 5 minutes, it's only 6 bolts for the front one and 4 bolts for the back one. Plus I think this belongs in the newbie section.

BUN

 

[Defiant]

The rear's a bit of a bother, as you'll have to use some creativity to deal with how to cut the holes in the shock tower covers and not have them look like a chimp was back there with an axe.
And don't put the front one on backward, or you'll give your hood tits. Make sure the strut can't touch the positive terminal of the battery, and that you have the vinyl boot over the terminal with the battery securely bolted-down.

 

[tsi4ya]

what brands do u gentelmen have?

 

[slipstream808]

Ijust bought the RRE one. It has yet to come in but I'll let you know how it works!

 

[Defiant]

eBay, I had "Matrix" on the 1G, and no name at all on the 2G.
Earlier threads have said the "correct" way to install them is with the center of the car jacked up so they go in under compression. I don't think it matters, but I also didn't notice any marked difference in having them in the car. Other than being in the way over the engine, and in the 2G, taking up space in the hatch.
I was lucky enough to get a rear that didn't interfere with the hatch sunshade.