I know they aren't high quality, but I really don't think a strut brace should be capable of handling extreme forces. Anyways, what I want to know is FOR THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE USED THEM, what is your opinion?



examples:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...7944215398&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...7943900697&rd=1

screw the strut to strut bars, go wit the triangulated bar from mazdatrix , spend the extra cash and get the one with the toqure brace on it as well. i use it on my fc and noticed a big improvment in the cars turn in and genral cornering also with the brace for the motor helps keep motors still so no need to solid mounts or stiff urithain , just use the mazda comp hard rubber bushings and no vibration to ur wheel that way.

o ya last time i checked the mazdatrix bar was 325

i got one a long time ago when i first got my car. it fit, and seemed to work just fine. You can even adjust it for preload.



if you look at the mazdaspeed competition ones they are almost identicle to that one. I'll find a pic and post it.

here ya go 93 bucks. Not saying it's the same quality, but they sure do look alike.

I have seen knockoff tri point bars as well, I actually have a original Racingbeat one sitting in my garage I never installed.

After then engine swap my Cusco would not fit so I dont have one anymore. In all honesty I have not noticed a change in the cars handling w/o it.

they make me nervous, call me crazy but I feel if you have a accident on one side of the car you will be transferring some of the impact to the other side of the car possibly resulting in more damage

I have the racingbeat strut tower bar, the best bar you can buy. It is light, and strong.



I have to agree with Rob on that though. But if the car gets into any accident it won't come out very good and will probably get written off. I just bought the Corksport rear strut tower brace, and I must say it is as nice or nicer than the corksport rear brace.



I also ahve the cusco lower arm bar, and that thing is a peice of ****. The hole that the bolt goes through for the two mounting brackets are purposely sloted, oblongated, and oversized. So any shear force resisted by the bolt will cause the bolt to move laterally since the tension/clamp force will never be able to resist the lateral movement of the bar. I think cusco does it this way to try to compensate for each car being slightly different and preventing customers from bitching about why the bar doens't fit. THe proper way to overcome this should have been to make a properly clearenced class 3 hole, then make the bar slight shorter, and take up the inconsistency of cars with shim plates.

seems like the cheapy bars just bend, but the rb triangle **** will tweak the hell out of the car

I have one it seems to work, i kinda got it for looks but i did notice a slight diff in handeling. But it touches the heat resistant stuff on the bottom of the hood when u close it.

That's why I was asking about the cheapy bar.



I pm'd you awhile back about tips for getting started in auto-x, one of the things you said to do was get a strut bar. https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...1047683785.gif



<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>So what's the general consensus on results from the strut bars? Do most people see noticeable results, or are they another one of those non-functional-but-look-cool mods?</span>

I've always wondered about that. Some have even speculated that the triangulated types would transfer impact to the cabin.



Baaahhh, I hate that stuff anyway.

I bought one...didn't expect a lot, but it was worth $15-20 if you want to take the cheap route. I think mine cost about $20 shipping included. It's probably better than nothing.

In my oppinion it does make the front end stiffer. When you put it on make sure its a little wide then, bolt it down to the struts by doing that it will put pressure on the struts and make the front end stiff. once its on you cant adjust the tension across the struts. polish that thing up and you will get the looks too.

Thanks for all the info, guys. I always see "that's crap!" or "buy this!" speculation, so it's nice to have a simple resource of first-hand experiences.

I put one on by n/a, fit fine, looked nice, can't say I noticed a difference in handling. but the car was already very stiff, with rb springs and swaybars, and agx's turned all the way up

hay that is some cheap **** im getting a shitload of them

By the way, I had already purchased it before starting this thread. I'll let you know my reactions.

So, do you wanna sell that?

im thinking it would elimintate some of the slight cowl shake that verts have, just havent gotten off my ass to put it in yet.



Ill put it in after the engine swap.

I wouldnt say they are crap. All I am saying is I was bumed when I could not put mine back on and then delighted that I experianced no change in the cars handling.



But, over time, especially tracking the car a lot, the lack of the front strut brace will cause my chassis to flex. So to have one, in the long run will serve you well.



Just dont expect to feel a giant difference with or without it. I always thought it was a "must do" mod especially if your Autocrossing or tracking a car. I honestly cannot say I miss mine.



I will however be getting a custom one made in the future for my car. https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...DIR#>/wink.png

I have a cusco front tower brace. It cost a lot but i know that it wont break and go through the hood. THat was my fear about buying a crappy cheap one. It does rub on the hood heat lining but putting one on is for perfomance and not looks alone. The front end is stiffer because hard turns do cause the chasie to flex. But that is just from my experience.

i borrowed an R1 brace from a freind and installed it on my grey fd.... took it for a spin and noticed a definate difference in it. It wasn't a huge difference, but i could tell it was there....enough so that i have one of both cars now.

I'm thinking of getting this bar:

http://www.cpracing.ca/productimages/2gtri.jpg



only $150 from CP Racing.

check our site sponsor cpracing.. they have 4 point strut bars

Jackboots what bar is that?

That is a cpracing strut tower bar. I would do some research about it before buying though.



also those cusco/ebay style bars. I sometimes questions their effectiveness since the bar will pivot on the bolt that are loaded in shear.

Are the cp racing ones like not good or what?

if you use the ebay bar on a turbo with the stock intercooler, will it clear?