suspension gurus!

[marko]

ok.. here is the question.
if a stress bar has nuts & bolt at each end - wouldn't that make it useless - considering that those 2 pivot points would allow each side of the car to go up & down?

or am I missing something??

ebay $49 - & I like the price...

[Maverix]

From what I hear, the hinged bars are not as effective as straights. Lemme see if I can spot the thread where this was discussed on bf.

And if the stress bar you're gonna get is exactly like the one in the picture, it wont fit. It wont clear the intake and the engine.

[marko]

yep.. thats what I thought of the hingdes too.

however, I think it would fit - I dont have an intake manifold anymore, & the dasc sits lower.

Originally Posted by Maverix

From what I hear, the hinged bars are not as effective as straights. Lemme see if I can spot the thread where this was discussed on bf.

And if the stress bar you're gonna get is exactly like the one in the picture, it wont fit. It wont clear the intake and the engine.

[mohaughn]

If you don't have aftermarket camber plates or strut tower reinforcement plates the strut bar can serve to reinforce the top of the strut tower, which is a known weak area and can "mushroom."

Just like people use the Z or e46 rear shock mount reinforcement plates, a hinged front strut bar can serve the same purpose.


But yes, a hinged bar is not as effective as a non-hinged bar. Honestly though, you probably get more visual gratification out of it than you do difference in suspension. If you like the way it looks, and you already have an x-brace, go for it.

The x-brace will do more to keep the front end from twisting than the strut brace.

[briansol]

strut bars, especially ones like this, don't do much.

[marko]

yep.. kinda got the picture.

[Maverix]

Originally Posted by marko

yep.. thats what I thought of the hingdes too.

however, I think it would fit - I dont have an intake manifold anymore, & the dasc sits lower.

I still don't think it will fit. The block will get in the way. You need something with a taller stand.

[gimp]

Personally, I don't think these bars do much to stiffen our cars. I run one, but it is to re-enforce the upper shock mounts. If you want to convince yourself, sign up for an autocross. When you get there, tie a piece of thread very tightly from one strut-mount bolt on the passenger side to one on the drivers side and then go make your runs. If it is broken, then you have enough deflection for a bar to make a difference.

Our strut mounts are close enough to the firewall that things just don't move that much.

[Jean H.318TI]

idk but i felt more difference with the strut bar than the x-brace just my $.1

[Maverix]

Originally Posted by Jean H.318TI

idk but i felt more difference with the strut bar than the x-brace just my $.1

You're doing something wrong then. Most people notice the biggest change from a x-brace, rather than a strut bar.

[Jean H.318TI]

Originally Posted by Maverix

You're doing something wrong then. Most people notice the biggest change from a x-brace, rather than a strut bar.

idk prolly, but that was just my opinion

[gimp]

Originally Posted by Jean H.318TI

idk but i felt more difference with the strut bar than the x-brace just my $.1

What order did you install them in?

[marko]

though I realize how important it is, based on physics involved, I must admit I did not feel too great of a difference when I installed my x-brace...

I felt more diffference in handling later on when I swapped the OEM sways with H&Rs.

[Jean H.318TI]

Originally Posted by gimp

What order did you install them in?

strut bar, then x-brace

[briansol]

do a blind test.


have a buddy set up your car while you're away.
drive it.

do that 3 times. each time, he will either add or remove the bar randomly so you don't know if it has it or not.

see if you can actually tell by naming which runs had it on and which didn't.