I'm still looking at parts for a WRX, and I'm come to strut bars. It seems like a very good thing and they are not that expensive. But I have just done some quick searches and was wondering is one any better than another?

I saw this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33591
I think that's nice because you get both the front and rear...


Then I saw this: Says it's genuine STI :-) Plus it's carbon fiber.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2416604121


Then I see this: From the two above this one looks like crap, so I can expect people to say not buying it..lol

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33591


From all the pictures I have been anilizing there are 3 bolts on each side that you unscrew then put this on and screw back on... is it really that easy? Probably wouldn't take more than an hour to install... As for the rear strut bar how do you go about installing it if you don't have a lift to lift the entire car off the ground?

Thanks :-)
-Nigel

 

Cool thank you for the reply.

I was always under the impression that carbon fiber is as strong as steel but 1/3 of the weight... :-)


-Nigel

 

dont buy one of the cheap ones off ebay, spend a little more money and buy a good, name brand one. you can probably find a name brand one on ebay for cheap. that sti one looks like the real deal. i dont have any experience with racesonic, so i cant give any good info on them but, the cheap $30 one will bend the mounts and will be useless.

 

Thanks for the replies :-)

mysubaruimp:
If you don't mind me asking what are good name brand parts? I know AEM is good for intakes.. my friend has an intake by them on his civic... other than that JDM is another one that I have heard that make nice upgrades. Or maybe a better question would be which manufactures to stay away from...lol :-)

Also is there anything special when you install a part like that? I don't own torque wrenches or anythiing major like that, but from the pics it looks like they are easy to install.

Thanks,
-Nigel

 

I like the ones that can be pre-loaded VS the solid ones myself.

Like this here:



Or this:



Peaty

 

Peaty:

What does that mean?
I thought the whole point of a strut bar was when you would turn the actual body of the car doesn't bend inwards so to speak.. From the pictures if you turn those out wouldn't you make the body bend outwards?

If I am incorrect please correct me :-) I'm still trying to learn what each part or an upgraded part does and how it benifits the car.

thanks :-)
-Nigel

 

The whole idea of a strut bar is to prevent the body of the car from flexing. Putting a little outward tension on the bar (just a little mind you) will "take up the slack" so to speak. When the car flexes it will push against the bar and puts force on it, the bar will push back preventing the flex. Pretensioning makes it that much stiffer. Not sure that makes sense or not.

 

The whole idea of a strut bar is to prevent the body of the car from flexing. Putting a little outward tension on the bar (just a little mind you) will "take up the slack" so to speak. When the car flexes it will push against the bar and puts force on it, the bar will push back preventing the flex. Pretensioning makes it that much stiffer. Not sure that makes sense or not.

 

cusco is one of the top brands as far as i know

 

is gab still around? i use to have one of those in my rx7, made a big diff. in chasis stiffness

<))><

 

in the rx7 i could see how it would, the strut towers are almost a foot and a half away from the firewall. but in a subaru, they are so close that a strut bar doesnt do much, but they are still cool to have, and i admit to having one, but it doesnt really make a difference in handling

 

Very cool about the rear strut bar! Does it take a way alot from the trunk then as far as space wise?

What name brands do you perfer and where are some sites that sell good quality parts like strut bars for the rex?

Thanks,
-Nigel