stnwag0n

What do you guys think? Upgrading the stock gsr front tower bar to a aftermarket strut tower bar. Simply cosmetic? Do aftermarket strut bars actually make a difference?

DR3AM

I'm sure actual functional tower bars like Benen help.

stnwag0n

I think the tower bars that also connect to the firewall would make a difference, but I want to know if structural integrity of aftermarket strut tower bars are better than stock. The stock one looks pretty sturdy to me. Anyone have any opinions?

Understeer

I have an OEM ITR front strut bar. Noticibely stiffer when I added the bar.

The only bar worthwhile upgrading to is a 3-point such as Neuspeed, Rigig/Carbing, Benen or JG Edelbrock.

A couple of others to consider.

Mugen has no pivot points. High cost though.
Spoon. Has pivot points, doesn't look strong. High cost.


[Modified by Understeer, 12:47 AM 1/31/2003]

stnwag0n

Thanks for the input. Im looking for a non-pivot strut bar, but i dont want a crazy looking 3-point. Im getting the neuspeed rear tower bar because its clean and comes in black, thing costs as much as a JIC carbon fiber one though... Im still trying to decide on a clean looking front strut bar. I like the stock one, clean, black, unnoticeable. But if an aftermarket one can prove to be more rigid, i'll probably pick it up. Any other opinions are more than welcome.

PoW3l2BaN

i upgraded my stock gsr bar to the benen bar and boy does it make a huge difference...the only disadvantage to having it is that it isnt allowed in the SCCA which is the purpose i bought it for...the next best t hing to a 3 point bar is the neuspeed front bar...it have no pivots at all and it does come in black to satisfy your needs...think about it....75 bucks is way cheap..

M-Type

I've tried both the comptech and mugen strut bar. Both are good, and yes you can feel it. If you turn real hard you can feel the car respond faster. The stock GSR bar is a hollow tube, the ITR is slightly better

M-Type

neuspeed ?? really? I'm not sure about the rear strut but from the neuspeed front strut and rear tie bars i've seen, they suck. By the way do you guys the stift comptech sway bar/tie bar combo and a strong rear strut bar is too much? Last thing i want is the rear end breaking loose on my teg.

jeremyG2teg

Could you please elaborate on this opinion of yours?

Racer X

I just installed my Spoon stb a week ago. I honestly can't feel a noticeable difference, but it is just a tie bar. I don't think you ever really feel a big difference with tie bars. And as far as quality goes, it does have bling factor, and even though it does have pivots, it seemed rock solid to me when I installed it.

WhatThaFrig

I thought the GSR and the ITR were same. I just got an ITR bar from Acura and, if I remember correctly,the GSR was the same PN.

JL 74

Just install an ITR rear sway bar instead for about the same price.

benno

I would say unless you do plan on going autocrossing or such sports such as that...you shouldnt really bother with one unless it is one hell of a deal. If you can wait...go with a group buy.

Aaron M

I just picked up a brand new Neuspeed front strut tower bar from Rob @ Tornactive for $70 shipped, it was a deal i couldnt pass up. UPS should be dropping it off today, ill let you guys know what I think if it.

bri

the neuspeed bar is hard as heck to install.. how do you guys do the corner that goes under the ABS unit? temporarily remove the ABS?

stnwag0n

I think im going to get a benen 3-point now. I saw a picture and I dont think it looks too crazy when its the powder coated black version. Anyone know any sites with good prices? The one i found was $169 shipped at tornactive. Anyone else know any cheaper?

Regular Series

I can say this: I had a Ractive Type 8 bar on my car that made little to no difference. Now I have a Benen 3 point, and the difference is huge. Less roll on turn-in and a tighter front end in general.

I can't wait to put my summer wheels back on now.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I have an RS, not a GS-R. And no, the Benen piece is not especially crazy looking:



Contact Alex of Chapter Eleven (2kTypeRHatch on this board). He'll hook you up.


[Modified by Risingson, 10:34 PM 1/30/2003]

neo1z

where did you get the benen piece?

beaterman

i have a front and rear upper strut bar on my 99 ls. from the stock point to having them installed was a huge difference. i can take corners faster then before and i have no tire squeks like before. also mine are all aftermarket very cheap products. all strut bars unless 3 point all feel the same. its just a damn bar that stiffens the suspension and reduces body roll. go cheap and you came afford more.

Understeer

Strut tower bars do not reduce body rolls. Sway bars reduce body roll.

Strut bars only stiffen the chassis to reduce flex.

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

Well among different upper shock tower braces that are made, there are 3 different mounting methods. These theoretically should make a difference, but whether or not you can feel it is another story.

The stock GS-R bar is a hollow steel tube, while the ITR bar is a hollow reinforced rectangular extruded aluminum tube. Both attach to the 2 bolts in each shock tower.

The Mugen bar as well as a few others also attach to the same bolts as the OE GS-R brace. The Benen bar also attaches to these bolts as well as the firewall.

Most of the cheap adjustable bars attach to the upper shock bolts. Theoretically this should be the least effective, since the shocks do not receive direct lateral forces when the car goes through a corner.

The Neuspeed bar attaches to the upper control arm bolts. Theoretically this one should be the MOST effective (provided the bar itself is stiff enough) because these bolts receive DIRECT lateral forces while the car is cornering. You can also run this bar in combination with any OEM bar or most any bar that attaches to the shock bolts.

The new JG Edelbrock 3-point triangulated brace is probably the best one I've seen so far, since it attaches to both the stock brace mounting bolts AND the upper control arm bolts, PLUS braces all that against the firewall.

Of course the only bar I've had experience with is the OEM GS-R bar, I say all this just through my observations and my knowledge of how the suspension works and goes together.

Regular Series

Well, that's what it feels like, anyway.

boostdGS

how could u guys forget this...

should be ordering 1 of these mid summer


[Modified by boostdGS, 9:23 AM 1/31/2003]

beaterman

ok to your statement about the aftermarket ones bolting to the shocks. what the hell do you think the stock bar is bolted to some imaginary bolts. my friend has a gsr and his stock one is bolted the same place as my aftermarket.

Erik95LS

actually no it doesn't the factory GSR bar and Type-R bar, as shown here, mount to the two bolts just beyond the top of the shocks. THis is the only purpose these bolts serve.


Thanks to Tony the Tiger for the pic. I hope you don't mind me using it.