Front Strut Tower Bar Survey

[yhkwok]

Alright, you guys convinced me, installed mine today, I'll just take it off for next AutoX to stay in the HS class lol

Install was easy, my strut plate came right out, along with some paint near the bolt
Good that I have touch up paint ready, get that fixed, have those 2 lines covered, put in on, torque the bolts to just a little over 32 ft lb, install finished~

Now how do you guys experience the difference? lol

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[arpypat]

Alright, you guys convinced me, installed mine today, I'll just take it off for next AutoX to stay in the HS class lol

Install was easy, my strut plate came right out, along with some paint near the bolt
Good that I have touch up paint ready, get that fixed, have those 2 lines covered, put in on, torque the bolts to just a little over 32 ft lb, install finished~

Now how do you guys experience the difference? lol

+1 for the DC bar! I also have one.

Can't speak on what difference just the bar made, because I installed it at the same time as a Progress 22.2mm RSB and K-Tuned lowering springs. But steering feel is still pretty tight and precise.

 

[yhkwok]

+1 for the DC bar! I also have one.

Can't speak on what difference just the bar made, because I installed it at the same time as a Progress 22.2mm RSB and K-Tuned lowering springs. But steering feel is still pretty tight and precise.

Got to find more back roads to try it!

 

[xRiCeBoYx]

You'll notice it more on quick lane changes than anything. On my 2002, didn't notice a difference, changed to coilovers, decided not to reinstall, took for a test drive, and turned right around to reinstall it. Was driving down the road in my neighborhood doing that thing that Nascar drivers do to keep their tires warm when the pace car is out, and steering felt very noticably sloppier. Imo, it's one of those things you don't quite notice until you take it off

 

[yhkwok]

You'll notice it more on quick lane changes than anything. On my 2002, didn't notice a difference, changed to coilovers, decided not to reinstall, took for a test drive, and turned right around to reinstall it. Was driving down the road in my neighborhood doing that thing that Nascar drivers do to keep their tires warm when the pace car is out, and steering felt very noticably sloppier. Imo, it's one of those things you don't quite notice until you take it off

That's interesting...

 

[gtman]

Yep. With a one piece bar, quick lane changes feel more stable. Front end feels more solid over bumps and the steering feels slightly more precise.

You have to understand that strut bars and chassis braces are different than something like a rear sway bar. A bigger rear sway bar will reduce understeer and body roll and makes a big difference even when the car isn't being pushed super hard.

Chassis braces/bars generally do something else. By tightening things up and keeping suspension geometry where it should be, they let the suspension components do their job better, improving the car's overall handling and even safety.

Just keep in mind the differences are mainly noticeable when you start pushing the car hard. Which is why I see a lot of people putting in a strut bar and then taking a cruise and saying "it didn't do a thing". A lot of times they are expecting less body roll or drastic differences in cornering and not pushing things to at least 7-8/10th's.

Here's a great article explaining things in more detail: https://dsportmag.com/the-tech/chassis-101-performance-control-safety/

 

[kimtyson]

The directions from DC is to remove the OEM plates (If you have them. My coupe did not) when installing the strut bar. My reading comprehension has made it unclear if you are talking about the OEM plates or something that came with your coil kit. I would ask DC Sports what they recommend.

 

[saz468]

Yep. With a one piece bar, quick lane changes feel more stable. Front end feels more solid over bumps and the steering feels slightly more precise.

This is exactly What I experienced I also installed the bar around the same time I got new tires ( gripper tires) so I experienced all around better handling

 

[gtman]

The directions from DC is to remove the OEM plates (If you have them. My coupe did not) when installing the strut bar. My reading comprehension has made it unclear if you are talking about the OEM plates or something that came with your coil kit. I would ask DC Sports what they recommend.

He's talking about the plates that come on the hatches and yes you remove them before the install.

 

[DaiLo]

Ignore my caption lol, but where I circled is where I put protective covering that comes with the DC bar

With the DC Sports bar, I wanted some clarification about those hose protectors. Are they clip on? Or do you need to disconnect hoses? I see one is coming from the battery but what's the other? If you do need to disconnect them, from where and using what tool (size of socket?)?

Also, @gtman the plates you're talking about would be just after removing the nuts on the strut tower right?

 

[gtman]

The plates on the hatches come off before you install the bar. They would be redundant with the bar and the bolts would thread on even less.

The plastic protectors are optional as a measure of protection. No hose removal needed. Just put them where you think it's needed.

 

[shoegazer]

To my eye; the hose protectors are a long curly coiled spiral; like a coiled telephone handset cord. You just wrap them on.

 

[vandalSI]

do any of these bars allow for the camber adjustment? slotted holes?

 

[Si_NSX904]

Let's all agree a one piece is the best approach. But unless you are absolutely track minded, a strut tower bar isn't going to be the end all. Go with what you like and what fits your end goal. I'll never go to the track nor do coil overs. So mine are for looks and whatever help it provides, not forget, cost.

 

[tripodog]

Are strut bars necessary on the new chassis? Spoon has subframe collars that might be more functional

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