which strut bar is better?

[240SXedUp]

What is the science between Oval-shaped, D-shaped, and Round-shaped strut bars. What makes the best one best? Im looking for some and when looking at Cusco and JIC they have several models. Thanks for help

[Nismo_Freak]

OS ... oval bars are stronger

[barrigas14]

you won't notice that much with a strut bar. so don't spend a ton on them. sways are where you are going to feeling more of an modification.

also if you want i know a company that sells soild bars. very stiff and very light.

[Exar-Kun]

elipses are stronger(ovals and circles)

pick one thats one of those ones (of the ones...one. har.)

-chet

[Gonad]

Best bank for the buck: CP-Racing Triangulated Front/Rear Barshttp://www.cpracing.ca/

[F4ucc]

Well, it's hard to tell which one is stronger as different shape result in different strength.

In general, bigger cross section area gives higher strenth in both compression and tesion. However, bending strenth might not be the case. to figure out the bending strenth you have to calculate the moment of inertia which involves integration of each given point with respect to center of mass. Well, assuming the material is uniform though.Tortion strength is a similar process. a general rule is a closed shape material would have higher tortional resistance.

Well, keep in mind unless you have the actual material property such as Modulus Elasticity or Z (section modulus) to determine its actual strenth for both elastic and ultimate limit . There is no way to really tell simply by looking at its shape.

For a fact, all Cusco products come with material test result. I choose Cusco because they provide something that I can read and trust.

BTW, any one likes to explore more about this topic, I will be happy to join.

Later

M.S in structural engineering.

[Nismo_Freak]

Ceterus Paribus, the actual geometry of the bar plays a role in the end strutural integrity.

Probably what you just said but it is hard to follow the way you typed it.

I'd still rate the Cusco OS bar higher than the CP Racing due to the actual width and thickness of the bar. The CP Racing appears to be too thin and the design of the bar doesn't appear to be anything far superior to the typical across the engine design. If it were to join the bars into an equal length triangle constructed of wide oval bars (increasing the cross section) you'd have a very rigid peice I'd think.

F4ucc ... email me please I'd like to pick your brain

[email protected]

[barrigas14]

again don't waste that much money on them. i don't think that you will be pushing your car to the limits that you would really need to worry about that kinda stuff. sways will help much much more than a strut bar.

[Dori Dori]

I've never been a fan of spending money on strut bars b/c I never saw any results with them. I was installing them on brand new cars though (g/f's integra and my WRX). I decided, what the hey, and bought the cheapo pilot sport ones off ebay. They made a much bigger difference than I ever imagined. The first time I drove off my driveway (at an angle and through the gutter) I could tell my car was much stiffer. The usual creaks that were once common place are now almost all gone. The car definately felt stiffer. I atribute this to the fact that the chassis' on our cars are worn and tired and on the new cars, they are not. Just a theory...anyway, I'm happy...best $40 I ever spent.

[dareo]

dont get the crap i got the front ones dont even fit. Dont buy bars from Megan Racing.

[chmercer]

if i was going to drop some sizeable cash on strut bars, i would go with okuyama carbing before cusco. But in reality, i would probably go with a cpracing front triangle bar and a piece of pipe welded between the struts in the rear.

[Holisticbeatz]

Not all strut bars are created equal, but they all do the same job. That's why I chose generic eBay strut bars for my S14. Nothing is too good for my car.

[93RPS13]

i want to get these... http://www.courtesyparts.com/M...3-STB

[BomexS13]

MIne's have a triangular front strut bar... and it looks thick(from the magazine.)

IMPUL and Nismo has thick oval units....

[p00t]

I've never been a fan of spending money on strut bars b/c I never saw any results with them. I was installing them on brand new cars though (g/f's integra and my WRX). I decided, what the hey, and bought the cheapo pilot sport ones off ebay. They made a much bigger difference than I ever imagined. The first time I drove off my driveway (at an angle and through the gutter) I could tell my car was much stiffer. The usual creaks that were once common place are now almost all gone. The car definately felt stiffer. I atribute this to the fact that the chassis' on our cars are worn and tired and on the new cars, they are not. Just a theory...anyway, I'm happy...best $40 I ever spent.

hahah! i did the same thing, i looked through all the cheap bars on ebay, and the ones with a moderate price ($60 shipped for front and back) and that had a name brand associated with them (pilot) i chose. I just expected it to help *alittle* during very hard cornering. But like you i discovered their amazingness just by backing out the driveway!! The dead play at the center of my steering wheel was completely gone, and turning felt more smooth and linear. Simply amazing, best price per satisfaction item bought for my car yet :ylsuper

[240SXedUp]

I already got the Cusco and installed it. it feels great. totally worth the $150! thanks for the input tho

[tktrthomas1]

yeah i have the cusco also with the rear and rear triangle bar. and its really stiff and tighter . i mean the car that is that didnt sound right, but thats the only way i could put it.

[240SXedUp]

hmmm yes... its the car that is stiff. right. calm down buddy, i know its JDM tyte

[zEy]

yeah i have the cusco also with the rear and rear triangle bar. and its really stiff and tighter . i mean the car that is that didnt sound right, but thats the only way i could put it.

I like those cusco triangle bar (rear). But that's a lot of doh I was wondering how much more can the triangle part give? I plan on getting cusco 40D front and back. I like the Impuls but thats $310 too much!





Pics provided by http://www.nissanperformancemag.com

[Dori Dori]

hahah! i did the same thing, i looked through all the cheap bars on ebay, and the ones with a moderate price ($60 shipped for front and back) and that had a name brand associated with them (pilot) i chose. I just expected it to help *alittle* during very hard cornering. But like you i discovered their amazingness just by backing out the driveway!! The dead play at the center of my steering wheel was completely gone, and turning felt more smooth and linear. Simply amazing, best price per satisfaction item bought for my car yet :ylsuper

Yeah, I mean I had the Cusco before and the Spoon bars are currently on her Integra and I feel like it was just wasted money after I got these.

[tonyluvsilvia]

Who makes a good triangulated front strut bar similar to the CPracing units for the S13, and where can I see pics/buy them?

Thanks

[Shnitz]

i dont know if you are willing to settle for non-triangulated, but courtesy nissan in texas (http://www.courtesyparts.com for their parts department) can get you nismo parts, and the front strut bar for the s13 is on sale for $60, im going to call them on monday and jump on this myself, my first mod!

here is the link for the actual brace on their web page:http://www.courtesyparts.com/secondtier_s13.html

[Exar-Kun]

That strut bar is not a NISMO peice, FYI.

-chet

[Shnitz]

oh yeah, didn't pay close enough attention, i realized that today when i actually called them to order the part (along with my dimmer switch bulb, grrrr). i actually came here to edit my post. oh well, it isn't a nismo piece, courtesy gets parts from reputable sources, im sure they have to, when i go pick it up (thursday, if the bulb gets in by then) ill see if it has the brand name on it, or on the box or instructions if it comes with them, and keep you guys informed. still, for $60 seems decent, but like i said ill keep everyone updated.

[VitaminT]

Yummy, but sold. I just couldn't bring myself to spend the money with all the other things I need first.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...04579

[BomexS13]

Who makes a good triangulated front strut bar similar to the CPracing units for the S13, and where can I see pics/buy them?

Thanks

Mines

[Shnitz]

update on the courtesy strut bar, they are some cheapo made in taiwan, they're called top speed pro 1 performance, the ends screw out to fit both the s13 and s14, is this worth anything close to the $60 that they are charging? i dont know much about braces, is there any reason to go with a more expensive one instead of this one, or one that was specifically made for the s13? cool, thanks a lot guys.

[chmercer]

i would only buy a thick strut bar, preferably 1 piece. why skimp on a performance part when its only like 100 bucks.

[Exar-Kun]

Why skimp on a performance part period? If you dont want to modify it right....don't modify it.-chetI like cheeze.

[93RPS13]

That strut bar is not a NISMO peice, FYI.

-chet

how do you know that it isnt nismo??? thanks