Rear Strut Tower Brace for S14 - Pics?

[s14=pimpin']

hi all,

ok, I'm going to buy a rear strut tower brace for my '95 240, just wondering how to mount them without making it stand out too much.

The rear tower mounts on the s14 are right by the rear factory speakers (not sure what the proper name is). You know, the piece above the seat that folds down? Anyway, I'd like to keep the rear carpet, was thinking of possibly cutting holes in the mat, or purchasing a rear cover and modifying it from there.

Sorry if this sounds vain, or ricey, but I've never seen a car with the rear brace in plain view from the rear window, find it a little odd. I mean, on the s13, its mounted behind the back seats, where it normally is. If anyone has a rear brace on their s14, and wouldn't mind posting pics or a link, that would be great. Or even a couple suggestions, or if there is a brace that goes under the mat (if possible?), please inform me.

thanks for your time and all replies

PauL

[Anand]

I actually wanted to know where you bought the rear strut bar and how much. Because I have been looking for one to put on my car...

[SWIFT_DRIFT]

Sorry if this sounds vain, or ricey, but I've never seen a car with the rear brace in plain view from the rear window, find it a little odd.

on my 93 rx7 it was out in plain view. stock rear strut bar too. looked badazz

[s14=pimpin']

LOL swift, you got me!! I was just thinking about it, and thought it would look pretty tough up there man, just didn't want to admit it! But I'm getting it to match the front one, hopefully it will make a difference regarding rigidity, the front certainly did!

black240, I contact http://www.pdm-racing.com, emailed Dom Nimi over there. They currently have a special right now, $40 US each (f & r), for s13 AND s14. Well, thats what he told me, the special for the s14 isn't advertised, so email him. Any idea on how to mount it, just hack up the rear carpet, or take the whole thing off and leave speakers and metal exposed?

what to do, what to do.........

[Anand]

I looked at it and all you would do is cut the board that sits on top of the speakers so that the bar would go through it and all you would see on top is the bar coming out of the cover...

[s14=pimpin']

yeah, thats what i thought. How do you think it will look, and are you getting one? Do you have a front one currently? This part is VERY hard to find, my shop was calling around and they found one for $500!! I think pdm has a very resonable price right now, I have the front one from pdm and it is great!

[Anand]

Yea, I got the front one off Ebay.. it works great. The steering changed like night and day. I just e-mailed PDM right now, so I will see what they e-mail me back with. But if that is the price that they are selling the rear upper one for then for sure I'm going to buy. Once I get it I will install it that same day! =) I found CUSCO rear upper carbon shaft one but it was like $200+. so I said hell no to that... $40 seems the perfect price.. could be cheaper but it;s ok since I can't find it anywhere else. I bought my front one for like $16 by the way..

[Anand]

I just recived this e-mail form PDM????????

"We do not sell anything for the rear S14. Whiteline does not make these.

don"

[s14=pimpin']

I'm going through my emails, bear with me, it was a while ago

[s14=pimpin']

here is a snip of my email.....

Paul B wrote:

OK, then i will order the rear camber correctionbushings from you, as well as the rear strut towerbrace ($40 right?).

correct. $60 US for the rear bushings, $40 US for the rear strut bar. ($100 total plus shipping)

strange, I'll email him and get back to you

[Anand]

Thanx... he might have thought that you have a S13 or somehting because he said he has nothing for S14...I don't know...if he made a mistake, let me know because I will buy the Strut bar today if they have it!..thanx

[s14=pimpin']

maybe its just a Canadian conspiricy thing, loose rear ends for American only!!! J/k, I remember when I first contacted him, i made it very clear that i was asking around for a s14 rear tower brace, because he didn't advertise it on his website. He said its not advertised, but he does carry them, and that they are on special. Well, you saw his reply, strange........

I sent him an email, unfortunately I'm leaving work shortly, so imight have to reply tomorrow.

just didn't want you to hold your breathe. I'll reply ASAP, I'm curious to know myself casue there is no way in hell I'm paying $500 for one!

[email protected] if you wanna chat or don't here from me 2mora

peace

[Anand]

Sure....If you don't post back here then I will go e-mailing crazy!! j/k thankx for looking into it!

[GodDrivesA240sx]

from enjuku:

http://w1.igateway.com/clients...=form

http://w1.igateway.com/clients...=form

**** 500 dollars.

[R240NA]

hi all,

ok, I'm going to buy a rear strut tower brace for my '95 240, just wondering how to mount them without making it stand out too much.

The rear tower mounts on the s14 are right by the rear factory speakers (not sure what the proper name is). You know, the piece above the seat that folds down? Anyway, I'd like to keep the rear carpet, was thinking of possibly cutting holes in the mat, or purchasing a rear cover and modifying it from there.

Sorry if this sounds vain, or ricey, but I've never seen a car with the rear brace in plain view from the rear window, find it a little odd. I mean, on the s13, its mounted behind the back seats, where it normally is. If anyone has a rear brace on their s14, and wouldn't mind posting pics or a link, that would be great. Or even a couple suggestions, or if there is a brace that goes under the mat (if possible?), please inform me.

thanks for your time and all replies

PauL

I have both a Cusco and a Nismo rear strut tower brace. (I'm vain) The Cusco brace mounts below the deck, if you pull back the carpet on the shock towers you'll see a small opening, the endlinks go through it and attach to the bar. Cusco makes both the AS style, round, and OS style, flat. The AS is smaller, but adjustable. The Nismo bar runs up top above the deck, you need to cut 2 small squares out for the endlinks to pass through, it comes with caps to cover the holes up. They both look sick as hell, but I'd guess the Cusco does more since it's down lower on the same line as the top of the shocks. I've got several pics of them installed, but I have no idea how to host a pic. Your other option is in Japan, the Autech versions of the S15 came with a "trunk brace", this mounts in the very rear of the trunk where the bumper support bolts go through the floor. This looks sweet too, but doesn't offer much structure so far back on the car. I saw one on Ebay a while back and fought hand over foot to get it, guy waited until 3 minutes to auction end to throw his whole bank account on it.

[Anand]

e-mail me the pic's and I can put them on for you... pluss.. I would like to see them anyways...

[s14=pimpin']

GREAT!

Man, I told him I had a '95 s14 240, and he said we carry them for the s13 AND s14, I remember this clearly, although at my current state of mind, don't feel like hunting for the message! Dammit, no REAR STRUT TOWER BAR for $40. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is! Who would be capable of making me one?

And r240na, you gotta get those pics up, your set up sounds really nice!

**sigh**

cya

[Anand]

That sux.... oo well... I might try the home made strut bar thing I saw on the old 240 forum.

[s14=pimpin']

yeah, sorry to get your hopes up dude, but I honestly thought the deal applied to s14's, my bad.

A buddy of mine welded a bar behind the back seat, you know where you fold your rear seat down, there is an opening between the trunk and seat? The bar goes right through there, is that similiar to the mod you're talking about? In his opinion, it didn't make a difference, and he autocrosses so he should know. I'll ask him again, I think it made a very minor improvement, and looks like crap if you ask me. **sigh**

If I find anything for cheap, I'll post it, and vice versa please

thanks, and sorry again, I must have told at least 10 s14 owners to go order one from pdm. Got to hunt them

PauL

[Anand]

I got this off the old 240 website.... i'm gonna try to follow it and see how it works.... I mean for the price of what it will cost me... who cares if it doesn't work THAT great.. i can aleays take it out and go stock or something...

"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 aluminium conduit. 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. next drill 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 the engine, but it will work. I was only able to do the middle bolt, and the rear bolt in the engine, due to clearance problems. 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, then youre done. Take it out for a spin and have fun! It works! My previous car was a sentra se-r and I had an OBX brace on it(very solid). Its feels the same. Best of all, its only like $2.00 for each 10ft piece! "

[s14=pimpin']

Interesting, you gonna try it? Sounds like another winter project for me!! If you do fab one, mind posting pics, sounds like a really good alternative to a $500 mods, which, with all due respect, isn't worth no where near that cash ($500=whiteline adjustable sways)

[Anand]

for sure... i'm gonna try it out this weekend if i have some time... i will post th pics asap

[Lepchitz1]

just type attach file down below where your reply box is.....then find the directory and press ok...pretty easy

[Anand]

just type attach file down below where your reply box is.....then find the directory and press ok...pretty easy

who are you talking to about this?? because I know how to post a pic... I just don't have anything to post as of yet, since I have not done the installation

[slw240sx]

now are you talking 500$ for sway bars or strut tower braces ??? you do know that there is a difference right????/ just curious because i would pay 500$ for a set of fully adjustable swaybars in fact i will do so this winter, now strut tower braces id pay maybe 125 apeice an thats pretty steep in my book !

[R240NA]

Pics should be up tonight, soon as I get home. As for the Whiteline STB, I've dealt with PDM before and and know that it is not offered for the S14, I'd assume they made a mistake since they probably answer a lot of mail a day.

[Anand]

That's what we were talking about. Rear upper STRUT bars not swy bars. It is ridiculous to pay more than $100 for a strut bar

[s14=pimpin']

now are you talking 500$ for sway bars or strut tower braces ??? you do know that there is a difference right????/ just curious because i would pay 500$ for a set of fully adjustable swaybars in fact i will do so this winter, now strut tower braces id pay maybe 125 apeice an thats pretty steep in my book !

are you argueing with me, or just repeating what I said? No **** there's a difference sherlock, and $125 is a little steep for a strut bar, imagine how I feel about $500!!! I thought they were $40, I was mistaken, I apologized, was just trying to pass a good deal along, and they are $40 a piece for s13's. Please clarify your statement if you would like a reply.

thanks

[s14=pimpin']

Pics should be up tonight, soon as I get home. As for the Whiteline STB, I've dealt with PDM before and and know that it is not offered for the S14, I'd assume they made a mistake since they probably answer a lot of mail a day.

Where did you order your rear strut bar from, and what did you pay, if you don't mind me asking? And was it worth the cash, I really like the front strut brace, and I think its well worth the $40, not sure if the rear isworth $500 (one member located one at that price from enjoku or where ever in a previous post).

thanks

[Anand]

He got the Cusco/Nismo bars... so I'm sure he paid like $150+ for each...That is still a lot of money.. He is going to send me the pics tonight... as soon as I get them.. I will try to post them.