MechEng

Ok I know this isn't rocket science nor is it intended to impress anyone because it won't; but if you have a DC base model Integra you were probably wondering if and how can you install an upper strut bar. If you were like me, you weren't sure what bar would fit and if any modification was needed.

The following are instructions on the install. The strut bar is from a GS-R and it is being installed on a 94 RS coupe.

You will need the following hardware

M8 x 20mm bolts (Grade 8.8 or higher) = qty 4
M8 nuts with nylon lock thread = qty 4
M8 washers = qty 8

First remove the 4 (2 on each side) rubber grommets near the shock towers:



Then jack the car up on one side enough so that you have easy access to the 2 holes
as show in this picture.





Once the car is safely raised on the one side, position the strut bar so that the holes are lined up with the strut tower holes. Now install the washer on the bolt and insert the bolt and washer into hole. Keep your hand pressing the bolt through the whole and with your other hand insert the top washer and lightly screw the nut on.

The bolt from the bottom view should look like this.



To tighten the bolt assembly, hold the head with a wrench and tighten the nut with a socket. Do this for both bolts and repeat on remaining side.



If you have a welder it wouldn't be a bad idea to tack the bolt into place from the bottom. I believe GS-Rs have the studs welded in. Here is the final product.





Did I notice a difference? Yes, the turn in feels more responsive. Don't expect a huge difference. Once winter turns to spring and I can put my summer tires on I'm sure I can give a better evaluation.

SleeperGSR

your car has shocks not struts btw.

i think everyone knew what you ment tho.

db8int3gra

Where did you get your bolts from? Home Depo?

MechEng

I got them at a Canadian hardward store called Rona because it is next to my house. But I checked Home Depot in the past and they had them.

MechEng

True but they also call it an upper strut bar not an upper shock bar.

jrthestar

uhhh not to hate but you don't feel **** from any strut bar unless its one that has a brake thingy bracket then you can feel a difference in braking but as far as turning and blah blah blah a strut bar doesn't do n e thing. its all in your mind. its just creates a nice reinforcement for the strut towers thats about it

akandok

Then you are not pushing your car to the limits

D15Bbigred

always nice to see some new write ups. good job

julianbc2

what size bolts did u use?

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

He lists bolt size right before the pics.

What sucks about attaching the OEM tower brace this way is that you can't just unbolt the bar from above to remove it if you need to work on the engine. Either the bolt will spin while you try to remove the nut, or the bolt will fall through to the ground.

This is the main reason why I haven't gotten around to fixing the one broken tower brace stud in my engine bay.

akandok

You can always have someone put 1 or 2 spot welds on the bolt to stay in place.

slammedexv

Holy dirty engine bay. You should have sanded down the bar so the shiny black paint didn't look so out of place.

MechEng

It was mint before the winter, but stupid Honda didn't use a splash shield on this car and all the salt and sand gets thrown up into the engine bay.

It will be nice and clean come spring.

MechEng

Exactly, I need this done. What kind of welding system would work? Arc, MIG, TIG, or does it matter?

slammedexv

Depends on the metals of the bolts compared to the shock tower. Mig or flux-core would probably work.

akandok

I would just use a mig..