custom strut tower bar

[scuba_sean]

im on an extreme budget with my car, and i was wondering if anyone has ever heard of doing a custom strut tower bar? my buddy is an incredble welder, and hw could do it. if i did, would we just want to make it stiff as hell while trying to make it light?

[daniel240]

i made my front and rear strut bars for my s14 in about 2 hours. it is very easy. i just got some 1' metal tubing for the front and 3/4' for the rear at the hardaware store. i used a pipe bender, or you can use anything, to make 2 slight bends towards the ends to clear the engine for the front bar. Then i flattened the ends of the pipe and drilled 2 holes in it. i then bolted it from the inside strut bolts. the back was even easier. no bends just drilled holes. i had to cut about an 1' of metal to get it to fit in the back. i polished them w some steal wool and mothers polish. they look like chrome. mine looks just like and aftermarked strut bar, you can hardly tell its homemade. and they work great. i could tell the biggest difference after i put them on. its like night and day and best of all it was only a couple of dollars.

[Aries]

Pictures please I haven't seen these home made bars before, but might be interrested in fabricating them myself

[specialkonrd]

what kind of metal did you use?

[daniel240]

i think it is the metal piping that you run wires through when wiring houses and stuff. i got it from my dad and hes an electrician. ill find out and try to get some pictures up soon!

[scuba_sean]

where did you attach the one in the rear?

[trpower7]

I custom made my rear S13 bar, go get one of those big lengths of 1-inch aluminum tubing from home depot ($2). Cut it to fit, flatten the ends down, drill large enough holes, be sure to do it kind of offset so that you can cut the end to clear the little rim that runs around the strut tower. Set it on, bolt it down. difference was amazing.

[Canadian 240SX]

I made both of mine on my s13. I used 3/8" thick by 1 1/2" flatbar for the main part. for the flat ends I used 3/16" Plate steel and I welded them together. I guess it helps that I have a steel shop at my dispoal. Handeling after I did that shocked Myself and all my friends with CRX's set up for auto-x (I know, I make fun of them for driving Honda's too). but It makes a huge differance, I'm thinking about making it spider across my engine bay from my firewall to my upper rad support.

[daniel240]

just make sure that you drill your holes Last!! After you have all your bends made and you know that it is going to fit. also DO Not make the holes too big. You want them to fit over the bolt stud very snug. Because when it flex's if the hole is too big it wont be helping anything.

[topless@vabeach]

Check out the FAQ area of this website.I found this info there----

FAQ is has a lot of good info.

I cant afford a strut tower brace. Is there any way I can make one?

Solution:

Yes. All you need to do is go to home depot, or a good hardware store and get some galvanised or aluminiumconduit. Theyre about 10ft long but it will fit in the 240(at least s14). Best of all they only cost like 2.00 bucks!Next, make your choice on diameter. 1/2 inch or 3/4. I did the front struts with 1/2 and the rear ones with 3/4.however, I think the 3/4 will clear in the front.

Next, measure the piece off for which ever strut(front or rear) youre doing so your piece wont be too long. nextdrill your holes. The fronts should be about 3/8 of an inch, or 14mm. It helps if you have access to a drill press,but you can do it with just a drill. Anyway, next you may have to slightly bend the bar in the middle to clear theengine, but it will work. I was only able to do the middle bolt, and the rear bolt in the engine, due to clearanceproblems. For the rear struts. Its really easy. Just cut away(s14 only) some of the metal(its okay its not structural)and measure. Keep in mind the bolts in the rear are smaller. I think 12mm. Anyway, if youve gotten this far, thenyoure done. Take it out for a spin and have fun! It works! My previous car was a sentra se-r and I had an OBXbrace on it(very solid). Its feels the same. Best of all, its only like $2.00 for each 10ft piece!

[singlecamhonduhkilla]

im really lazy and low budget.. and i have no skills.. will someone make me one and ill pay them plus shipping to corpus.78409joe

[daniel240]

what kind of car do you have? if its an s14 i could probably do it

[240FeVeR]

You guys honestly can't afford to buy one of the cheap strut bars on ebay? They're like $20 including shipping. Those bars are great quality, look good, fit perfectly, and cheap also..why in the hell people would still be trying to make their own to save a few bucks, I don't know or care to know.

It's good you have the skill to make your own, but when its already available for $20, save you time and effort and just buy it. I can tell you the ebay strut bars are a hell of a lot better quality than home depot aluminum conduit.

[Queamore]

I saw one on ebay for 14 bucks.