Which 'Brand' of strut bar to install?

[Ken1898]

Which prefer place to install and price wise??

 

Btw what are the pros and cons on strut bar?

 

Edited October 29, 2008 by Ken1898

[Solar]

couple of hundred depend on brand.

can diy. just screw yourself

pro is reduce body flex thus increased stability on cornering, but u may need to do it at high speed to feel it.

complements with other stability mods like coilovers and lower profile tyres.

[Yc86]

Brand.. all strutbars are basically the same. Some can be adjusted, etc but the function is the same.

 

Install is quite easy, can DIY but if you're getting a workshop to do.. wouldn't pay anything more than $20.

 

Main function is to tie the strut towers together and add rigidity to the structure.

On a stock car and normal driving cond, perhaps the gains won't be that obvious.

 

Cons: price, slight increase in weight.. more things to clean if u detail your bay.

[Mit81]

i onli trust cusco, proper r&d.

seen other brands break b4, hence no confident in them.

[Shull]

currently using HotBits engine strut bars..

 

would say it reduce the body roll significantly even under normal driving conditions..

[Diamondback]

i see bascially 2 type...

 

1 is no pivot points near the place that ties to the strut tower, ie 1 fixed bar.

 

The other is those that have a pivot point.

 

Can i know what is the different and which is better?

[Robo]

ultra racing...

[Yc86]

break?? means the strut towers collapsed?

Or vibrate until crack.

 

Was it in an accident..

[Shull]

both have it's pros and cons..

 

those with pivot points can adjust the stiffness of the bar..

 

but the screws at the pivot points tend to loosen over time..especially in the high temperature environment of the engine bay

[Yc86]

Pivot points? You mean the 2 bolts that tie the brace to the brackets?

Those are supposed to be tightened and can't pivot. If the bar pivots, then it's not really adding rigidity to the structure as the towers would still be allowed to flex laterally. =/

 

Or do you mean the bolted type vs the one-piece design.. I'd take the one-piece one anytime.

But it's usually more expensive as it is difficult to make and must be precise.

 

[inline StrutBar.jpg]

 

[inline carbing_type2.jpg]

Edited November 2, 2008 by Yc86

[Xspace]

If die die need to recommend, What brand would u chose?

[BMW320i]

Most people have misperceptions about the use of strut bars.

 

Strut bars does not necessarily lead to reduced body roll.

 

Strut bars are connected to the suspension pillars and not the chassis. The role of the strut bar is to reduce chassis contortion.

 

Under hard cornering regardless of high or low speed, under heavy load to either suspension pillars, both suspension pillars are moving towards each other because there are no direct physical links preventing the the movement of the suspension pillars themselves.

 

The strut bar's role is to prevent the suspension pillars from moving towards or away from each other although the latter is more common.

 

The rigidity of the chassis plays a role because a car without strut bars or low rigidity will experience more than usual chassis contortion as compared to a car with higher chassis rigidity.

 

Question is how would chassis contortion affect cornering characteristics ?

 

With chassis contortion, alot of factors play a part but I will just narrow it down to suspension element for the purpose of discussion. Chassis contortion takes place under heavy cornering. This is caused by high loads on either side of the car (usually the front), which is commonly experienced under hard cornering.

 

For example, imagine a car without strut bars, as the driver turns to the right under hard cornering, the tyres changes directional heading within its traction coefficient and translate the change of direction upwards to the suspension elements by increasing load on the left and relieving load on the right side of the suspension. This causes the suspension pillars to move towards each other and hence causing further chassis contortion.

 

The results of the above is chassis contortion and hence affecting turn in response due to all the flexing and twisting of the chassis.

 

With the use of the strut bar, this chassis contortion is reduced. Turn in response is sharpened under hard cornering. Also, you do not need high speed cornering to feel your strut bar's worth. Under heavy braking into a hairpin, the amount of load placed on suspension is just as immense.

 

For cars that come with factory strut bar, I hardly justify the cost of changing to aftermarket unless for the purpose of the added bling or reduction in weight.

 

When it comes to strut bar it is important to note if they are hollow or rigid as well as the composite and diameter or the composite. All of these factors can affect anything from weight to chassis rigidity.

 

Some strut bars are 2 points mounted while some are 3 points with one to the firewall. Some comes with addition brake cylinder stopper as well.

[Starsaaa]

Wat car are u driving?

 

If there is a original one try to go for the original one.(But the price will be ex.)

Cause sometimes there will be some problems arising from the engine cover cannot be removed with the strut bar on. Some models in the market may have this problem.

Thus one need to remove the strut then able to access the engine hood.

 

Reccomendation: Any brands would be okay, just don go for the 'Alxxxx' cause the brand crack easily. There are many complaints in the market.

Another one which can consider is the one offered by E rev Motorsports(Ultra Racing). Although it is made in MY, the build quality is there. The price is attractive as well.

 

Brands like Summit and cusco u can consider as well.

Edited November 2, 2008 by Starsaaa

[Ken1898]

Thanks for all comments. Which shop to go?

[Whambamtymam]

Mcwell carries cusco

[Starsaaa]

Hi u can compare prices b4 u make a choice.

 

http://www.e-revmotorsports.com.sg/

[Yc86]

If die die need to recommend, What brand would u chose?

 

Depends on what design the manufacturer has, and what car model (Usually big brands don't make for family sedans) + budget.

If have $$, probably Cusco, or Carbing

 

so far I've only used Hotbits before, but I guess they're all about the same.

[Yc86]

Nice writeup