Strut Tower Bars...

[RogueCustoms]

Hey everyone...

What are you all running for strut tower bars (front, rear) and how has it helped your handling???

AND.... I've seen the TRD strut tower bar for the MKIV on the MKIII. Does anyone have this set up and or know how to customize this to work for my MKIII?

http://www.japanerfusk.dk/CIMG0801.JPG

http://www.earnhardttoyotaparts.com/trdstrutbar.html

http://intensepower.com/trdstruttowb.html

 

[GrimJack]

Useful for leaning on when working over the engine bay. Other than that, completely pointless. This is not a McPherson Strut suspension.

 

[gurley0916]

Ive read you jack up the front, bolt it onto one strut tower then the other you lower the strut a little bit and line up the bolts and then tighten it up. This is if my memory serves right.

 

[Jayhall]

I think they look cool too, and they make bitches panties wet. Other than that Im with Dave

 

[RogueCustoms]

So.... A Cusco set of strut tower bars would probably be a better go?

Or do you have any other recommendations?

 

[Poodles]

IIRC the TRD bar won't fit over a stock 7M, you'd have to go FFIM. It's probably one of the only ones that would do anything as it doesn't have any rotation points.

 

[Dirgle]

Like Grimjack was alluding to, "strut tower bars" are not a performance upgrade for our cars. It's merely a "gee doesn't that look cool" accessory. And like gurley0916 mentioned there is some inward flex when you load the shock towers. However on an independent double wishbone suspension with a modular suspension sub-frame this flex does not change the suspension geometry. On cars that use McPherson struts, where the struts are a stressed part of the suspension, this flex can change the geometry of the suspension, and affect the cornering performance. So Honda’s need strut tower bars, Supras don't.

Now if your looking for straight up chassis stiffening, and not looking to strengthen weakness in the suspension, then you can use a tower brace that triangulates at the firewall with reinforcement.

Something like this:


But I'm not sure of anybody that makes one like that for our cars. But you get the idea.

 

[jdmfreak]

I run a strut bar lol even tho we, dont have struts ........ no performance increase just the illusion of awesomeness

Sent from my C771

 

[IJ.]

Wotam

 

[ifyouaint1sturlast]

Sorry but, any idea whose car that is in the first pic? It's a 100% perfect 2JZ stock swap. Down to the cruise control, and small details like the brake booster vac port. I'm dying to see more.

 

[gurley0916]

Sorry but, any idea whose car that is in the first pic? It's a 100% perfect 2JZ stock swap. Down to the cruise control, and small details like the brake booster vac port. I'm dying to see more.

No no 99% the heater hose is coupled together

 

[RogueCustoms]

@ ifyouaint1sturlast

Hate to say it... But I just found on Google images... Look up TRD Strut Tower bar and you might be able to find the source.

Sorry but, any idea whose car that is in the first pic? It's a 100% perfect 2JZ stock swap. Down to the cruise control, and small details like the brake booster vac port. I'm dying to see more.

 

[RogueCustoms]

@Grimjack and @Dirgle

Thanks. You've saved me money.

 

[shaeff]

Like Grimjack was alluding to, "strut tower bars" are not a performance upgrade for our cars.

Agreed.

Now if your looking for straight up chassis stiffening, and not looking to strengthen weakness in the suspension, then you can use a tower brace that triangulates at the firewall with reinforcement.

Something like this:
View attachment 57070

But I'm not sure of anybody that makes one like that for our cars. But you get the idea.

I doubt even that would do anything. The firewall is just stamped steel. Any load that would potentially flex the towers enough for the bar to actually do anything would probably just tear it right out of the firewall.

Want rigidity? Cage the car like the Group A Supras. THAT will make a difference.

 

[te72]

Wotam

Wotam? Acronym, or are you being cryptic again Yoda?

Now if your looking for straight up chassis stiffening, and not looking to strengthen weakness in the suspension, then you can use a tower brace that triangulates at the firewall with reinforcement.

But I'm not sure of anybody that makes one like that for our cars. But you get the idea.

I've seen ONE like that, I believe it was a Cusco... I have a picture of it at home somewhere, however...

I doubt even that would do anything. The firewall is just stamped steel. Any load that would potentially flex the towers enough for the bar to actually do anything would probably just tear it right out of the firewall.

Want rigidity? Cage the car like the Group A Supras. THAT will make a difference.

This. I have reason to doubt that the firewall itself is strong enough to hold chassis flex...

That said, our cars have a pretty stiff chassis to begin with. Pick up behind a front wheel on my car, and the rear wheel comes up with it. Haven't seen too many cars with a wheelbase this long that do that.

Sorry but, any idea whose car that is in the first pic? It's a 100% perfect 2JZ stock swap. Down to the cruise control, and small details like the brake booster vac port. I'm dying to see more.

If you look at the address of the link, it has .dk in there. I think this is a website originating in Denmark. I could very easily be mistaken though... Beautiful swap for sure.

 

[jdmfreak]

Wotam = waste of time and money


Sent from my C771

 

[goliath]

I would have to agree, from a suspension and handling stand point there is very little benefit. However I noticed a sizable improvement in the amount of body flex after I installed my bars. My RBX was a significant part of that improvement though.

 

[T701jz]

Been there done that....I won't do cyns/autocross with out it.

Looking to modify their FCB
http://aprperformance.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=112&Itemid=53

 

[Supra28]

Useful for leaning on when working over the engine bay. Other than that, completely pointless. This is not a McPherson Strut suspension.

Newbie question alert; Does this also hold true for the rear strut bar??

 

[Dirgle]

Agreed.
I doubt even that would do anything. The firewall is just stamped steel. Any load that would potentially flex the towers enough for the bar to actually do anything would probably just tear it right out of the firewall.

Want rigidity? Cage the car like the Group A Supras. THAT will make a difference.

Completely agree, just look how much the firewall flexes from pushing on the brake pedal. It's the reason I mentioned reinforcement. I suppose I could have been clearer.

Newbie question alert; Does this also hold true for the rear strut bar??

But, there isn't even an engine to look at back there.

Joking aside, both front and back are double wishbone modular suspension setups. We're fortunate to have a car like that. No McPherson struts to deal with.