Strut Tower Bar

[cmkelly]

Hey gang,

Are there any major differences in the various strut tower bars I see on eBay? I know AZHitman made one for a while that connected to the firewall but if I just want something to tighten up the front end a bit is any one brand better than another?

I'd love to get out cheap but don't want to buy crap.

Thanks, Mystery Trout (a.k.a. cmkelly - long story)

[DeXteR]

Mystery Trout (a.k.a. cmkelly - long story)

So are you going to explain it one of these days or what?

Anyways, all the ebay stuff is the same crap. It looks cool and adds some rigidity. For the price, they're not bad at all. Buy the cheapest one you can find if you want to go that route because they're all the same.

That one on Greg's car wasn't made by him, it was someone else - don't have time to search, but that's a very VERY nice piece. 3-point strut braces are far superior to the normal 2-point ebay ones. The price difference indicates the higher quality as well as actual increase in rigidity.

[cmkelly]

Thanks for the input. I kinda figured as much but the delta can be like $90!

When I first started putting a resume together I wanted to see how closely people really looked at them so under "Hobbies and Interestes" I would put Mystery Trout Dancing. No one ever asked and I typically got the jobs for which I was interviewing. So Mystery Trout and Mystery Trout Dancing has kind of stuck with me for years. I forget why I didn't use it for my handle - guess I was new to forums and didn't want to appear strange. Guess the "Sleekstack" Avitar ruled that out!

[Eikon]

I can change your username if you'd like. just let me know.

I have a Megan Racing strut tower bar. It's as nice as any of them. I think they go for $80 to $90 new. I'm not too sure what differentiates them from the ebay ones that you can get for $30 shipped.. ?

I would love to upgrade to the Rotorimp strut bar that you guys mentioned already>zerothread/270421

Interested in buying my Megan strut bar for a reasonable price so that I can upgrade?

[cmkelly]

Sure, but remember I'm a cheap s.o.b. cmkelly (at) mindspring.com

Maybe I should change my username...

[wmdavis007]

I have a Tanabe front strut bar. Looks great, not too much either...about $100 off eBay. Here is a pic:

[biggie]

Have the Tanabe^ on the Vert as well. Found it a while ago for $70 was the main reason. The 3/4 point ones are better though, just more money and a bit more installation.

Edit: Just noticed the Tanabe is $77 on MyNismo.com ( http://mynismo.com/products/?id=2805 )

[krash]

yea I myself am saving up for that brace that mounts up to the firewall. I'm sure its worth it. but either way the brace makes a good difference so just buy one off of ebay like everyone else said haha

on a side note, Eikon, do you think I could just be krash? or is that taken already

[onosqv]

I can change your username if you'd like. just let me know.

OOO! I wanna change my name :P "onosqv" please

But back on topic. As everyone has mentioned, a strut bar is a strut bar.

The only things you will need to really consider:

- Are you going to add a top-mount turbo? If so, there may be some clearance issues (usually not for most turbo setups)

- Are you going to be adding nismo motor mounts - for ka24de this isn't as bad, but still sometimes causes an issue - in this case, you will need either the discontinued cusco one like I have (bends backwards), or the one from rotorimp. The greddy ones may or may not clear. For the most part, the eBay ones may not clear (they didn't clear my sohc when I upgraded to nismo mounts - but sold them all before I put nismo mounts on my dohc).

[Eikon]

OOO! I wanna change my name :P "onosqv" please

Are you serious or joking? I'm not sure I can change your name.. you're pretty notorious/famous and if you changed your name that would really mess people up.

on a side note, Eikon, do you think I could just be krash? or is that taken already

Done

[krash]

sweeet, thanks man

[Loki]

Only difference among strut bars is whether they connect to the firewall or not. More work to get them installed, but it stiffens everything up more. I have a CP Racing firewall-strut bar (pic in profile if anyone cares). Dunno how much it cost.

[VERT240MIKE]

I have a greddy one and it doesn't move even if I jump up and down on it... stiffest I have ever felt...

[onosqv]

stiffest I have ever felt...

That's what she said!