TeamCapri

Tech, Repairs, Upgrades => Aftermarket => Topic started by: squaretwo on May 05, 2009, 04:42:00 AM

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: squaretwo on May 05, 2009, 04:42:00 AM

I found the strut brace bar on tunerfixx.com and midcomustang.com and I was wondering if its worth the $80. Does it really increase your handling? thx.

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: Phillip on May 05, 2009, 05:25:00 AM

This will work.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda-323-LX-DX-1986-1994-Front-Polish-Strut-Brace-Bar_W0QQitemZ170326496130QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item27a8401382 &_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1171%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda-323-LX-DX-1986-1994-Front-Polish-Strut-Brace-Bar_W0QQitemZ170326496130QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item27a8401382&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1171%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)

or this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Front-Strut-Brace-Bar-Mazda-323-86-88-89-90-91-92-93-94_W0QQitemZ350196846289QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item51895bced 1&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1171%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Front-Strut-Brace-Bar-Mazda-323-86-88-89-90-91-92-93-94_W0QQitemZ350196846289QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item51895bced1&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1171%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)

or this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Front-Strut-Brace-Tower-Bar-Mazda-323-Base-DX-LX-86-94_W0QQitemZ230340464885QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item35a15c90f5 &_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1171%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Front-Strut-Brace-Tower-Bar-Mazda-323-Base-DX-LX-86-94_W0QQitemZ230340464885QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item35a15c90f5&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1171%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: bhazard on May 05, 2009, 06:13:00 AM

Those look kinda flimsy.

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: yen on May 05, 2009, 12:09:00 PM

Depends how the car handles currently. You'll notice the difference as soon as its installed but whether it's benificial or not is another concern.
For $80 and absolutely no labour cost it's quite a reasonable mod. I got one from PJ at Midcounty Mustang. At the time they were probably one of a few brands available on the market but since I've notice a few new manufacturers. Basically they would perform as good as eachother and I've yet to find a 3 point brace (firewall) that would increase rigidity further.

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: David Young on May 06, 2009, 02:08:00 AM

I have to say YES!  I drove out to Mid County here in PA and spent a couple of hours talking to PJ.  Hea has a wealth of knowledge.  Some of his prices are a little high.  I purchased one and installed in on my 92 XR2.  It handles a lot nicer in the turns; no more torque steer; the entire front end feels tighter.  I am very pleased.  If you call him and talk to him, (he loves to talk), he sometimes gives you the internet price.  This is a nice relationship to build.

David

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: Gus Kelley on May 06, 2009, 06:57:00 AM

Hey Guys!  Installing a strut bar will help stability of the car when doing some driving thru turns and will help reduce torque steer under hard accelleration, especially with a modified car. If the torque-steer continues then have the wheel alignment checked and corrected as needed. That should take most of the rest of torque steer out.  Gus

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: yen on May 06, 2009, 12:05:00 PM

The statement about stability is very true. The front end will feel alot tighter and a whole lot more predictable in turns.
I can't break traction so I have no experience with torque steer.
What I've become aware of is that the brace increases sweep angle on tight turns but it is much, much more predictable.

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: Gus Kelley on May 06, 2009, 01:05:00 PM

Hey Yen!  I'm not sure what you mean by increasing sweep angle but the bar stiffens the uni-body structure, especially the strut mount area. This stabilizes your cars steering so that extreme flexing doesn't occur and your car is true thru turns.  Gus

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: STE_6000 on May 06, 2009, 02:56:00 PM

i'd say forget the bar and get urself a week worth of grilled steaks ^_^ YUM

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: Gus Kelley on May 06, 2009, 03:27:00 PM

Hey Anthony!  Add a grilled lobster. Double umm  umm!  Gus

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: yen on May 06, 2009, 05:16:00 PM

Grilled steak would make you handle better.
Love handles better  =)

Ohh yeah, about the sweep angle.
Because there's less flex in the strut towers (and to a degree in the firewall) the car pitches and wallows less through tight cornering.
The natural flex actually contributes to midcorner traction.
Once the brace is installed it reduces the flex and its effect.

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: Gus Kelley on May 06, 2009, 06:27:00 PM

Hey Yen! Really-------Gus

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: yen on May 06, 2009, 07:26:00 PM

Hey Gus,
Not sure if you meant really as in a sarcastic tone but yes!
...From what I've experienced anyway...

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: STE_6000 on May 06, 2009, 11:43:00 PM

Be nice Gus, Yen is not catching on quickly  (http://smile.gif)

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: Gus Kelley on May 07, 2009, 03:58:00 AM

Hey Guys! I just a crusted-over old man that has seen too many miles go under his ass and too many ex-wives fly off on their brooms. But are always an optimist.  Gus

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: Gus Kelley on May 07, 2009, 05:02:00 AM

Hey Yen!  Thanks for the compliment! you tell me that I was actually able to express myself over the computer. My eyes did roll when I read you post. We all have our feelings and opinions, it's what makes us all appealing and not so boring. Don't let this little incident put any space between us though. I'm sure there were impressions made when I was finally able to meet some of our fellow forum members a few months ago. I really enjoyed myself. Hopefully I'll be able to make your aquaintence soon.  Gus

Title: Strut Tower Brace Bar worth it?
Post by: yen on May 07, 2009, 11:50:00 AM

No offence taken,
Like I always end up saying "You can't keep everyone happy 100% of the time"
Looking forward to meet you too, Gus.