S13 trunk bar from Project Car magazine

[94_240sx]

I bought the magazine and saw the trunk bar on there project s13 hatch. Since rear strut tower bar is not available for vert, I decided to give it a try. Holes didn't line up as I thought, so I had to dremel them a little bit. Still installation was a breeze and hopefully this will stiffen up the rear end more.

[wirelessalpha]

Dude, I want to hear results in the next few days.

[Ihiryu]

hmm where'd you get that? looks bad ***, how much it set you back??

[AZhitman]

I'll bet it does next to nothing.

The strut towers on a vert are COMPLETELY boxed on 3 sides... That's more rigidity than ANY strut brace can offer.

[ishkabibble]

Hey 94, you have a G-Timer? You could measure lateral G's with and without the bar.

[94_240sx]

Hey 94, you have a G-Timer? You could measure lateral G's with and without the bar.

No, I don't have it. I'd like to do 5 speed swap first before I get into all that.

hmm where'd you get that? looks bad ***, how much it set you back??

I got it from phase2. P2M carries all the Circuit Sports stuff and they are one of NICO sponsors. http://phase2motorsports.store....htmlTook this pic before installation. Nice quality and finish, so I was very impressed.

Here's the deal. Whenever I wash my car, I noticed these paint peels, so I touched up the spots as usual, but I always see them again later. I was wondering what was going on and finally figured out that it was because body flexes and they rubbed the body although there's 2-3mms gap. Here's some pics for your guys.

This is a trunk lid passenger side. It looks always like this no matter what I do.

As you can see, gap is not that small.

Another spot that I always see paint peel. Yeah, I love my bling Nismo gas cap.

When door's closed.

I've done rear tie bar, aluminum subframe collars and trunk brace so far to stiffen up the rear end. Rear sway bar will be the last piece to come in. I've been trying to source rear ladder bar, but no one carries them anymore. Anyone knows where to get it from? Cusco is good, but don't mind cheaper brand.

I'll do the review soon. I'll touch up those areas, drive around, make some hard turns and see what happens. With collars and tie bar, it still handles like dream. Since 240 vert is fairly long unlike Miata or s2000, I definitely had noticeable body flex in the rear before.

[ishkabibble]

The insides of your wheels are spotless? Are you really that obsessive?

[madcowvert]

this may be a reasson why you had to use a dremel to make it fit.. if your car has been crashed before i might not fit right.

[wirelessalpha]

dude I thought I was the only one that noticed that. Like seriously 94_240, you might have a disorder.

[AZhitman]

This piece is actually worthless on a S-chassis. It's a mod primarily designed for Honda-style rear suspensions, and will do next to nothing for your car.

I have F & R ladder bars and love them...

Those areas of paint peel are NOT from flexion, especially not the gas filler door.

Have you done a triangulated FSTB yet? That's going to be your single-most beneficial addition to the structure of the car.

[94_240sx]

I saw the tie bar from write ups in suspension forum. A couple of guys had it on their cars. Asked and it was $19 shipped, so I got it from this eBay seller. Well, I thought there was not much to lose for $19. You can't beat the quality for the price though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

My rear end is stiffer than before now, and I think aluminum collars are doing the most job. My subframe bushings were in good shape, but noticed small cracks here and there, but nothing major. At least, they won't go bad anymore since I installed collars.

I've been looking at this NRG 3-point STB on eBay. It looks damn good, but I'll pass it for now cuz I want to move on to the next projects s15 Helical, z32 brake swap and 5-speed swap. Yeah, it'll be nice someone tries this NRG STB and give us review, tips and such.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

Quote »this may be a reasson why you had to use a dremel to make it fit.. if your car has been crashed before i might not fit right.[/quote]I got rear ended slightly once by a lady, and holes were 1-2mms off. But, I got to paint my rear bumper cover for free. I also painted front bumper at the same time cuz it had paint chips and cracks all over on it. It wasn't fun to take them on & off. I found some old pics.



ish & wireless,I just got those wheels last summer when I was on vacation and installed them last December. I had to save up money for tires. Over the winter, my car has been on jack stands for coilovers, small replairs and other parts that have been sitting in my garage for a while. In the past, I had crank seal leak and 3 power steering leaks(from regular hose, high pressure hose and the pump itself) This time I had coolant leak from the water pump, so I had to fix it. Also installed Nismo thermostat, new steering boots and new belts. I completely tore up the front side of engine bay and worked little by little everyday after work. While I was at it, I used simple green, degreaser, WD-40, soap, brake cleaner, gumout and wax to clean up all the mess. It took fairly long, but came out really nice at the end. These are some before & progress pics. Enjoy!!

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

dude I thought I was the only one that noticed that. Like seriously 94_240, you might have a disorder.

I've got a disorder too.

[positron1]

I've been trying to source rear ladder bar, but no one carries them anymore. Anyone knows where to get it from?

JSpec sells the rear ladder bar and Raretrick does as well http://www.raretrick.com/index.asp?cat=335 I've been scoping the trunk bar too. Let us know how you like it after you've put some miles on it.

[94_240sx]

JSpec sells the rear ladder bar and Raretrick does as well http://www.raretrick.com/index.asp?cat=335 I've been scoping the trunk bar too. Let us know how you like it after you've put some miles on it.

Yeah, I'll definitely let you know, but the problem is I've installing all these parts at the same time before the alignment, so I won't be able to tell you exactly what this trunk brace does. I'm hoping that all the upgrades add up and stiffen up the rear end. I still think that subframe collars and rear sway bar will play the main part.

Thanks for the link. I know Do-Luck is good stuff, but $228 is steep. TopSpeed used to make this knock off, but they replied my email last week saying that it's been discountinued. It used to be $109. IIRC, jspec only sells it to the local people and you have to come in for the installation. BTW, rear ladder bar disappeared from their list a long time ago.http://www.topspeedauto.com/Pr...y=130

They have front ladder bar available for s13. Does this look right?http://www.topspeedauto.com/Pr...=1403

[positron1]

Hey I've got one of those front ladder bars/tunnel braces and they ARE worth it. It definitely stiffens up the front and you can feel and hear it. A little extra vibration in the cabin.

[AZhitman]

Hard to tell from that pic.

I have the Do-Luck front and rear ladder bars, and they're way cool....

[onosqv]

Did you have to modify the front & rear ladder bars in anyway to get it to fit our cars? I remember reading about the rear ladder bar before, and the ends had to be cut/modified...

And why are you guys making it so difficult, for all the money you spend on those bolt-ons to stiffen up the rear, you can spend a lil more & do it right - kit is debuting very soon :

[positron1]

The front bolts up to stock mounting points/holes.

[AZhitman]

Yeah, the front bolts up easily... the rear one I have hasn't been installed yet (gotta drop the exhaust).

[ishkabibble]

And why are you guys making it so difficult, for all the money you spend on those bolt-ons to stiffen up the rear, you can spend a lil more & do it right - kit is debuting very soon :

Because some of us are concerned about appearance.

[94_240sx]

Did you have to modify the front & rear ladder bars in anyway to get it to fit our cars? I remember reading about the rear ladder bar before, and the ends had to be cut/modified...

And why are you guys making it so difficult, for all the money you spend on those bolt-ons to stiffen up the rear, you can spend a lil more & do it right - kit is debuting very soon :

Yeah, I've seen write up on rear ladder bar also and end had to be cut. Write up is still there, but pics are gone unfortunately.

Props on developing the kit. No doubt about it, but sorry, I'm with ish. I don't want to go that far. If I can achieve certain degree of stiffness with some bolt-ons, I'm fine with them. I guess I'll be okay after f & r ladder bars and sway bar. Thanks for the input guys.

[white90esex]

Hey are those benz rims? they look like it but idk cause the bolt pattern is alittle off on the benz, just wanted to know cause i have oportunities to get some and they are a decent offset. Just wondering how they fit.

[FRSport]

Hey are those benz rims? they look like it but idk cause the bolt pattern is alittle off on the benz, just wanted to know cause i have oportunities to get some and they are a decent offset. Just wondering how they fit.

Work Barosso, 16x8 +6 5x114.3 all around on 225/50R16 tires. I have heard of ppl redoing the lug holes to make it fit 240's... but that's sketchy.

They may be for sale , but will prob end up around $1k w/ shipping. I'll run down the tires first and sell them a lil lower, haha.

[94_240sx]

Hard to tell from that pic.

I have the Do-Luck front and rear ladder bars, and they're way cool....

Found Do-Luck catalog. They still make both front and rear ladder bars. Pics are for s14, but description at the bottom says 'RPS13/180sx.' I'll definitely add these to my to do list. $228 is not bad at all considering original price is that high.

[ishkabibble]

Just made an arrangement to get a new rear ladder bar for $65 shipped

I'm sure it's a knock-off, but whatev. Will post pics about the install when it happens.

[AZhitman]

I have a front strut tower brace, that ties into the firewall, that you vert guys are gonna LOVE.

The prototype is done, I'll post pics soon. I LOVE it.

They'll be available for sale in a few weeks.

[94_240sx]

Just made an arrangement to get a new rear ladder bar for $65 shipped

I'm sure it's a knock-off, but whatev. Will post pics about the install when it happens.

You gotta tell me where you got it from. So far I've found SPL carries Do-Luck rear bar at $229.

[ishkabibble]

You gotta tell me where you got it from. So far I've found SPL carries Do-Luck rear bar at $229.

Got it from a private party on a forum. Looks like the JSpec bar, but not sure exactly who makes it. I'll post a pic of it when I get it.

Greg, looking forward to seeing that bar. I nearly bought a Tomei 3-point STB, but rerouting the brake lines didn't appeal to me.

[onosqv]

I nearly bought a Tomei 3-point STB, but rerouting the brake lines didn't appeal to me.

What do you have to redo w/ the brake lines... from the pic, doesn't look like you have to do much of anything... I could be wrong, please correct me if I am:

[ishkabibble]

I think on the USDM S13s the brake lines run right in front of that mounting point. At least that's what I heard and it's what it looked like when I checked under my hood.