Strut Bar Thread
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 29
From: Jacksonville & Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Strut Bar Thread
I'm thinking we can possibly sticky this... I searched around but didn't find a definitive thread
Let's compare:
FRONT STRUT BAR
List:
a) design
b) clearance issues
c) ease of installation
d) type of metal used,
e) price
f) links for more info
g) which fit coilovers
ARC Bar
a) Three piece bar - engages three strut bolts on either side. Arch across the top of the plenum.
b) May interfere with coilover adjustment **** positioning - one of the bracket support bars crosses right where the hand adjustment **** should be. EDFC shouldn't be a problem.
c)
d) Titanium...
e) $1040 retail. $936 @ http://www.injectedperformance.com/e...t.aspx?ID=3820
f)
g) does it fit coilovers? need input!
Circuit Sports bar
a) One piece bar
b)It does rub the OEM engine cover and it even rubs the OEM engine hood insulation panel, but it does not cause any hood closing issues. Also due to its solid construction, no access holes are provided to allow access to hand-adjustable dampening suspensions.
c) installation is easy, move some brackets and tubes out of the way and it slides into place, bolt down with OEM strut bolts.
d) reinforced aluminum
e) $135 from Phase2 motorsports
f) http://www.phase2motortrend.com/strutbarbraces.html
g) does it fit coilovers? need input!
GT-Spec Bar
a) Three piece bar - engages three strut bolts on either side - one of the arms on the bracket has been moved to allow installs with most adjustable coilover systems.
b) It will clear the Motordyne 1/2" spacer (CERBERUSlucid posted pictures) also clears 5/16 spacer as expected (thelarsky)
c) user
d) Military-Grade 6061 aluminum
e) Retail $215
f) http://www.gtspec.com/index.php?nav=...id=282&cat=152
g) does it fit coilovers? need input!
Kinetix Bar
a) 3-piece
b)
c)
d) Kinetix Uses .188" steel powdercoated constuction with structural bracing throughout.
e) Retail $300
f) $259 @ http://www.street-power.com/kig35frsttob.html
g) does it fit coilovers? need input!
Richie's V1 bar (ARC Replica)
a) Three piece bar - engages three strut bolts on either side
b) May interfere with coilover adjustment **** positioning - one of the bracket support bars crosses right where the hand adjustment **** should be. EDFC shouldn't be a problem.
c)
d)
e)
f)
g) I attempted it with JIC FLT A-2 coils and it was a FAILURE - will not fit with the *****. I assume this would be the same for ARC since Richie V1 is a direct copy.
Richie's V2 Bar
a) Three piece bar - engages three strut bolts on either side - one of the arms on the bracket has been moved to allow installs with most adjustable coilover systems.
b) V2 was made to allow hand-adjustable coilover *****
c)
d)
e)
f)
g) the modification was made to allow coilover **** adjustability.
Relentless Auto Bar (same design as VRT)
a) three piece construction
- engages two of the strut bolts and the anterior A-Arm bolt
- must be installed with front of car in the air - active resistance once lowered
b) no plenum spacer issues, G/Ztube and Stillen Air intake and Stock box must be shifted towards the center of the car about an inch to fit.
c) probably the most difficult to install
d) "chromoly steel"
e) retail?
f)
g) from my VRT experience: it should clear coilover systems with the **** sticking out the top. I have VRT installed with Tein mono flex & EDFC. The bar avoids that area completely. RA should be the same since it is the same deisgn
Stillen Bar
a) Three piece bar - engages three strut bolts on either side
b) Will NOT fit 1/2" spacer (Confirmed by SteveZ) and <<will NOT clear OEM intake (Confirmation?)>>! it WILL fit 5/16" spacer
c)
d) 6061-T6 Billet aluminum
e) Retail $239.15
f) http://www.stillen.com/product.asp?i...odel=G35%202DR
g) does it fit coilovers? need input!
VRT bar (discontinued- a few in circulation - some are made to clear Stillen S/C) - the original design was made to fit JWT TT kit!
a) three piece construction
- engages two of the strut bolts and the anterior A-Arm bolt
- must be installed with front of car in the air - active resistance once lowered
b) no plenum spacer issues, G/Ztube and Stillen Air intake and Stock box must be shifted towards the center of the car about an inch to fit.
c) probably the most difficult to install
d) chromoly steel
e) $425-500 new
f)
g) it should clear coilover systems with the **** sticking out the top. I have it installed with Tein mono flex & EDFC. The bar avoids that area completely.
REAR STRUT BAR:
GT-Spec Rear:
a) Three piece with hinge-type connection points
b)
c)
d) Military-Grade 6061 aluminum
e) Retail $215 - Just found it for $190 shipped on the second link!
f) http://www.gtspec.com/index.php?nav=...id=294&cat=152
http://www.advancespeedshop.com/gtsp...4-p-11092.html
g) does it fit coilovers? need input!
Stillen Rear:
a) three piece
b)
c)
d) 6061-T6 Billet aluminum
e) Retail $195.47
f) http://www.stillen.com/product.asp?i...odel=G35%202DR
RareJDM rear brace
Rare JDM Rear Strut Tower Bar
a) ~1.5" dia. chrome moly tube mounted between two welded steel brackets. Bar is attached to brackets with threaded hardware, allowing user to adjust pre-load on the bar. The threaded hardware also allows the bracket to pivot slightly. Brackets are secured to the car through existing holes in the trunk. Bar sits slightly forward of where the Stillen bar sits and is centered between the shock towers.
b) See pix in this post. In a coupe, it sits 1-1.5" above the false floor, leaving the area above pretty open. You can still slide items through the backseat if you need to. The threaded attachments make it easy to remove the bar quickly if you need to - takes about 5 minutes.
c) Installation takes about 30 minutes, with the majority of the time spent cutting slots in the trunk liner so the brackets can poke through. Install time will be a lot shorter if you don't care about concealing the brackets or making clean slots for the brackets.
d) Chrome moly tubing & steel brackets
e) Initial run was at $350 shipped
f) https://g35driver.com/forums/picture...ar-teaser.html
Installed in my COUPE:
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...bigc/023-1.jpg
Installed in zackt69's COUPE:
http://www.rarejdm.com/photos/bar1.jpg
http://www.rarejdm.com/photos/bar2.jpg
Name more bars and some specs. I'll get some picture links and will update this first post.
and some info I saw that accordfreak mentioned
I'll clean up this thread as people respond and add info. I hope this thread will help keep g35driver more simple - ex: the shocks/coilover thread is MONEY! This will just complement that thread. :-D
Let's compare:
FRONT STRUT BAR
List:
a) design
b) clearance issues
c) ease of installation
d) type of metal used,
e) price
f) links for more info
g) which fit coilovers
ARC Bar
a) Three piece bar - engages three strut bolts on either side. Arch across the top of the plenum.
b) May interfere with coilover adjustment **** positioning - one of the bracket support bars crosses right where the hand adjustment **** should be. EDFC shouldn't be a problem.
c)
d) Titanium...
e) $1040 retail. $936 @ http://www.injectedperformance.com/e...t.aspx?ID=3820
f)
g) does it fit coilovers? need input!
Circuit Sports bar
a) One piece bar
b)It does rub the OEM engine cover and it even rubs the OEM engine hood insulation panel, but it does not cause any hood closing issues. Also due to its solid construction, no access holes are provided to allow access to hand-adjustable dampening suspensions.
c) installation is easy, move some brackets and tubes out of the way and it slides into place, bolt down with OEM strut bolts.
d) reinforced aluminum
e) $135 from Phase2 motorsports
f) http://www.phase2motortrend.com/strutbarbraces.html
g) does it fit coilovers? need input!
GT-Spec Bar
a) Three piece bar - engages three strut bolts on either side - one of the arms on the bracket has been moved to allow installs with most adjustable coilover systems.
b) It will clear the Motordyne 1/2" spacer (CERBERUSlucid posted pictures) also clears 5/16 spacer as expected (thelarsky)
c) user
Installing the mount on passenger side is very easy (~10-15 minutes with a breaker bar). Installing on the driver's side does require moving A/C lines which are in the way, but only until you get it seated. Everything you move can go back where it belongs once the bracket is installed. I think it took me about an hour, but only because I'd never done it and didn't know what to move where.
I have zero fitment problems with 5/16 spacer & no engine cover.
I have zero fitment problems with 5/16 spacer & no engine cover.
e) Retail $215
f) http://www.gtspec.com/index.php?nav=...id=282&cat=152
g) does it fit coilovers? need input!
Kinetix Bar
a) 3-piece
b)
c)
d) Kinetix Uses .188" steel powdercoated constuction with structural bracing throughout.
e) Retail $300
f) $259 @ http://www.street-power.com/kig35frsttob.html
g) does it fit coilovers? need input!
Richie's V1 bar (ARC Replica)
a) Three piece bar - engages three strut bolts on either side
b) May interfere with coilover adjustment **** positioning - one of the bracket support bars crosses right where the hand adjustment **** should be. EDFC shouldn't be a problem.
c)
d)
e)
f)
g) I attempted it with JIC FLT A-2 coils and it was a FAILURE - will not fit with the *****. I assume this would be the same for ARC since Richie V1 is a direct copy.
Richie's V2 Bar
a) Three piece bar - engages three strut bolts on either side - one of the arms on the bracket has been moved to allow installs with most adjustable coilover systems.
b) V2 was made to allow hand-adjustable coilover *****
c)
d)
e)
f)
g) the modification was made to allow coilover **** adjustability.
Relentless Auto Bar (same design as VRT)
a) three piece construction
- engages two of the strut bolts and the anterior A-Arm bolt
- must be installed with front of car in the air - active resistance once lowered
b) no plenum spacer issues, G/Ztube and Stillen Air intake and Stock box must be shifted towards the center of the car about an inch to fit.
c) probably the most difficult to install
d) "chromoly steel"
e) retail?
f)
g) from my VRT experience: it should clear coilover systems with the **** sticking out the top. I have VRT installed with Tein mono flex & EDFC. The bar avoids that area completely. RA should be the same since it is the same deisgn
Stillen Bar
a) Three piece bar - engages three strut bolts on either side
b) Will NOT fit 1/2" spacer (Confirmed by SteveZ) and <<will NOT clear OEM intake (Confirmation?)>>! it WILL fit 5/16" spacer
c)
d) 6061-T6 Billet aluminum
e) Retail $239.15
f) http://www.stillen.com/product.asp?i...odel=G35%202DR
g) does it fit coilovers? need input!
VRT bar (discontinued- a few in circulation - some are made to clear Stillen S/C) - the original design was made to fit JWT TT kit!
a) three piece construction
- engages two of the strut bolts and the anterior A-Arm bolt
- must be installed with front of car in the air - active resistance once lowered
b) no plenum spacer issues, G/Ztube and Stillen Air intake and Stock box must be shifted towards the center of the car about an inch to fit.
c) probably the most difficult to install
d) chromoly steel
e) $425-500 new
f)
g) it should clear coilover systems with the **** sticking out the top. I have it installed with Tein mono flex & EDFC. The bar avoids that area completely.
REAR STRUT BAR:
GT-Spec Rear:
a) Three piece with hinge-type connection points
b)
c)
d) Military-Grade 6061 aluminum
e) Retail $215 - Just found it for $190 shipped on the second link!
f) http://www.gtspec.com/index.php?nav=...id=294&cat=152
http://www.advancespeedshop.com/gtsp...4-p-11092.html
g) does it fit coilovers? need input!
Stillen Rear:
a) three piece
b)
c)
d) 6061-T6 Billet aluminum
e) Retail $195.47
f) http://www.stillen.com/product.asp?i...odel=G35%202DR
RareJDM rear brace
Rare JDM Rear Strut Tower Bar
a) ~1.5" dia. chrome moly tube mounted between two welded steel brackets. Bar is attached to brackets with threaded hardware, allowing user to adjust pre-load on the bar. The threaded hardware also allows the bracket to pivot slightly. Brackets are secured to the car through existing holes in the trunk. Bar sits slightly forward of where the Stillen bar sits and is centered between the shock towers.
b) See pix in this post. In a coupe, it sits 1-1.5" above the false floor, leaving the area above pretty open. You can still slide items through the backseat if you need to. The threaded attachments make it easy to remove the bar quickly if you need to - takes about 5 minutes.
c) Installation takes about 30 minutes, with the majority of the time spent cutting slots in the trunk liner so the brackets can poke through. Install time will be a lot shorter if you don't care about concealing the brackets or making clean slots for the brackets.
d) Chrome moly tubing & steel brackets
e) Initial run was at $350 shipped
f) https://g35driver.com/forums/picture...ar-teaser.html
Installed in my COUPE:
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...bigc/023-1.jpg
Installed in zackt69's COUPE:
http://www.rarejdm.com/photos/bar1.jpg
http://www.rarejdm.com/photos/bar2.jpg
Name more bars and some specs. I'll get some picture links and will update this first post.
and some info I saw that accordfreak mentioned
i just installed the powerlab 3/8" spacer and I have the circuit sport STB. clears no problem. 1 piece design is the way to go.
http://www.rogueengineering.com/Merc...uct_Code=RE_RB
"What to look for in a strut tower brace?
When looking at a strut tower brace to give you the most benefit, it should have the following features:
-Sufficient protection of the strut tower top (to prevent "mushrooming")
-No pivots or heim-style joints to allow the bar to flex or bend, but adjustable, to allow for intention suspension changes.
-Center bar with minimal bends or kinks (straighter is stiffer!)
-Provide adequate underhood clearance (so not to dimple the hood)
-Allow for suspension changes (for those that frequent the track)
-Made from the best materials available (for lightweight, coefficient of thermal expansion)
-Even BMW applied many of these traits to their own strut tower braces when they offered them. For the E36 and E46 models, both used cast aluminum strut tower plates and matched them to tubular steel center bars. "
http://www.rogueengineering.com/Merc...uct_Code=RE_RB
"What to look for in a strut tower brace?
When looking at a strut tower brace to give you the most benefit, it should have the following features:
-Sufficient protection of the strut tower top (to prevent "mushrooming")
-No pivots or heim-style joints to allow the bar to flex or bend, but adjustable, to allow for intention suspension changes.
-Center bar with minimal bends or kinks (straighter is stiffer!)
-Provide adequate underhood clearance (so not to dimple the hood)
-Allow for suspension changes (for those that frequent the track)
-Made from the best materials available (for lightweight, coefficient of thermal expansion)
-Even BMW applied many of these traits to their own strut tower braces when they offered them. For the E36 and E46 models, both used cast aluminum strut tower plates and matched them to tubular steel center bars. "
Last edited by Jamaica2G; Dec 15, 2010 at 09:30 PM.
What about the kinetix strut bar??
http://www.street-power.com/kig35frsttob.html
Can we add a topic of actual functionality and stiffness (handling improvements, chassis stiffness) as one of the categories?
http://www.street-power.com/kig35frsttob.html
Can we add a topic of actual functionality and stiffness (handling improvements, chassis stiffness) as one of the categories?
What about the kinetix strut bar??
http://www.street-power.com/kig35frsttob.html
Can we add a topic of actual functionality and stiffness (handling improvements, chassis stiffness) as one of the categories?
http://www.street-power.com/kig35frsttob.html
Can we add a topic of actual functionality and stiffness (handling improvements, chassis stiffness) as one of the categories?
Trending Topics
Circuit Sports bar
a) One piece bar
b)It does rub the OEM engine cover and it even rubs the OEM engine hood insulation panel, but it does not cause any hood closing issues. Also due to its solid construction, no access holes are provided for adjustable dampening suspensions.
c) installation is easy, move some brackets and tubes out of the way and it slides into place, bolt down with OEM strut bolts.
d) reinforced aluminum
e) I paid $135 from Phase2 motorsports
f) http://redirectingat.com/?id=42X119&...barbraces.html
a) One piece bar
b)It does rub the OEM engine cover and it even rubs the OEM engine hood insulation panel, but it does not cause any hood closing issues. Also due to its solid construction, no access holes are provided for adjustable dampening suspensions.
c) installation is easy, move some brackets and tubes out of the way and it slides into place, bolt down with OEM strut bolts.
d) reinforced aluminum
e) I paid $135 from Phase2 motorsports
f) http://redirectingat.com/?id=42X119&...barbraces.html
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 29
From: Jacksonville & Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Added Circuit info... Also began adding rear strut braces - GT Spec & Stillen
Added Kinetix info
Guys, I need your feedback on the bars listed above. Need to know installation problems and fitment issues!
Added Kinetix info
Guys, I need your feedback on the bars listed above. Need to know installation problems and fitment issues!
Last edited by Jamaica2G; Jun 10, 2009 at 11:09 PM.
I'd also like some feedback, especially as to which one is more than just for looks and actually provides noticeable rigidity. I had a DC sports one on my prelude back in the day and I felt a difference once I put it on, but have heard that they don't do much for the G. Please prove me wrong, I would like to get something that's worth my money (more than aesthetically)!!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 29
From: Jacksonville & Ft. Lauderdale, FL
I 'm running the VRT bar. I have tein flex coils w stillen sways and just installed the VRT last weekend. It makes the car feel completely different. Whether driving 10mph and turning or 70mph, it's noticeable. I'm impressed.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 29
From: Jacksonville & Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Keep the info coming. What else is there?
Anyone have a chart of metals - to know which alloy or which is the strongest?
I need to find my materials friends... hmm
Anyone have a chart of metals - to know which alloy or which is the strongest?
I need to find my materials friends... hmm