We'll after much research, including an e-gangsta match which ended up with 4 pages of **** talking, I'm trying to find out if a Miracle X bar is worth the price and hype compared to just a rear strut bar...

I am building a strictly road course/circuit car (NO STREET USE) and i would like some recommendations about some rear setups. My setup inside the car will consist of just a recaro SRD drivers seat, Autopower bolt in roll bar with optional cross bar (B pillar), takata long harness, dash, doorpanels, centre console (no armrest portion). So my questions are:

1. Are Miracle X bars better than the Rear strut tower bars
2. How about the replica X bars (fit abit better in the budget, but quality), how do those compare to the miracle NEXT bars
something along the lines of the TDM X bars...They are like the version 2 Next bars, and they include ALL optional bars..but i dont want to purchase it if it wont do anything substantial
https://honda-tech.com/forums/wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-48/tdm-x-cross-bar-super-sale-dc-ek-chasis-integra-civic-2053462/
3. If the X bars are not recommended, what are some setups/brands in the rear that would prove better results
4. is there any other brands that are abit within the budget rather than the $600+ pricetag of the Miracle X bars

 

I would recommend the X bar design simply because it connects more points on your chassis to each other than the traditional strut tower bar design. I have the godspeed x bar set up on my integra and the fitment is great. Quality wise, when put side by side with the Next brand miracle x bar the metal appears to be the same, all the hardware is the same, bends, etc etc the only real difference is the quality of the welds and a sticker. I got the full godspeed set up off a vendor on here for 250 shipped which was a no brainer, functionally it is exactly the same as its the miracle x version counterpart (imo). Another company you might want to look in to is EM racing, I've used a couple of their bars before and was impressed with the fit/finish of their products as well. Also, since you are building a strict track only vehicle, have you considered getting a custom chromoly cage built? It might suit your needs better than all the bolt in stuff.

 

I think you'd be MUCH better off having a cage welded in. Safer AND will provide more than enough rigidity. I mean geez, $600 for a couple of bars of metal? Give me a break.. Not to mention looking like you have a fancy jungle gym in your car lol.

 

Thanks for the quick response...

I dont want to have a cage built due to the fact that I am trying to work within my budget and be able to offset the prices with being able to re-sell the parts I will be utilizing. A custom cage would probably run me $1000+ and it would be really hard to sell to see abit of a return on the cost I payed for the labour, parts etc.

I was thinking strictly Autopower bolt in and TDM X bar setup. But how about the Carbing bars or anything similar? from my research, carbing is abit pricey, but i know...."you get what you pay for" but doesnt seem that way with the TDM bars, everything looks the same except for the welds compared to the NEXT X bars

 

I have a Carbing front bar in the rear I went with EM racing lower "Z" I also have the rear pillar and the other bar to make that upper "Z" but I didn't want my back seat to sit funny. The X bar is nice but I'm not sure it make that much of a difference for the price.

 

FWIW I'd say just get a one piece solid bar and be done with it. Just about w/e will do. I find it hard to believe the effect of a solid 2 point bar is significantly or noticably different than some 4+ point bar. Invest more time and money on more important things like springs/shock, swaybar, tire..etc tuning and get out on the track.

 

would just the rear strut tower bar be enough if i will be using the Autopower bolt in roll bar, or should i look at the full X bar or Z bar setup...

would you guys recommend the EM Racing products like their "Z" bar kit which includes the strut tower bar, C pillar bar and triangulated bar, or the TDM X bar with optional bars. Im seeing alot of excellent reviews on EM products

please help me out, im looking to purchase soon, and dont want to have any regrets

 

I'd recommend either the 'Z' or 'X' style. Not only do they look better, but the provide a lot more support then just a single bar would.
I think the 'X' style would be the strongest, seeing as it makes your car's centre of gravity well, in the centre of the car.

 

You're getting the bar because you want to stiffen up the back end of your car. In my opinion, the 'X' shaped bar would do you the most justice seeing as it brings all the force of you taking a corner to the middle of your car, so there's very little give.

 

Have you ever gotten into a honda with a roll cage? I know many people that had the same opinion as you, but only after they spent 1000$ did they realize that they no longer had head and foot room.
Plus you can achieve the same rigidity by getting the right strut and tie bars (which I think looks much better than a cage any day)

 

I don't think Sol is questioning the "x" concept...we're questioning how the "x" brace has anything to do with center of gravity as mentioned in your previous post? Why would purchasing this bar have anything to do with the center of gravity...thats what I'm interested in knowing...

An x or z brace is for chassis rigidity, not keeping "your car's centre of gravity well, in the centre of the car" as you mentioned.

 

lol bars do not change the car's center of gravity, other than maybe raising it up a bit because of the additional weight you added to the car.

And no, bolt-in bars will not make near the difference of a welded-in cage as far as chassis rigidity is concerned.

IMHO all this bolt-in bar crap is worthless for a street car or even a weekend race car. And if it's strictly a race car it should have a cage anyway.

 

Yes I have been in a couple hondas with cages and numerous other cars with cages. A properly designed cage shouldn't have any serious troubles with the driver, esp something as important as head room...

And strut bars definitly don't give the same rigidity as a welded in cage.