OK we are going to try this again since the last one was deleted for being so far off topic.

Lets make this a thread to share opinions and ideas about a strut tower bar for the our sedans.

Do you have one? If so what do you think?

I know VRT has one that will fit and can be customized for the Stillen SC, Vortech SC, TT kits, etc. It seems like everyone that has it loves it and a lot of people who don't have it have a strong opinion on it. I for one would choose to listen to the people that have spent the $400 and can talk about how it is and not how think it is.

There is also another company coming out with one that will be the typical style but I have heard it will not support a plenum spacer or aftermarket plenum.

Note:
Please leave your negative comments about other members out of this thread. If you don't agree with an opinion that is fine; please share yours but don't attack each other. I understand you may feel passonite about a topic but waste everyone else's time by insulting each other.

 

Well I'll just say that if one must have to own a particular mod to know that it works or doesn't work, then you're going to have a pretty short thread with a very one-sided view. What's to stop companies from introducing "snake oil" mods and overstating performance gains. Must we have to buy the mod to know that it's bunk? I'm not saying the VRT strut bar is such a mod, I'm just making a point.

People have to learn not to be so damn sensitive.

 

Oh I agree that some things are obvious and we can make a decision based on what we think. I have no problem with people giving their $0.02 on it whether they have it or not as long as they stay on topic. I just have not gotten feedback from anyone who has purchased it and does not like it.

That last thread just turned into a cat fight between a few people and was a huge waste for the rest of us considering buying a strut bar. I don't care about the crap they were talking about and neither did most of us. This thread is about a strut bar. If that is too sensitive for some then don't post in here...

 

The bottom line is more bracing means better handling (there is such a thing as too much bracing as well). For a normal street sedan, STBs do enhance the ride. Even if the car is a solid frame, the sheet metal flexes more as you move up away from the frame. The further away you get from the frame, the more flex you get, period! Now, for the G, we have additional stiffening with the compartment wall. THIS IS NOT EQUIVALANT OF CHANNEL FRAMING!!! STBs serve only one purpose, it connects the 2 strut towers together (duh!). What does this do for you?
1. It helps to distibute excess load from 1 tower to both
2. It makes the towers stay squared to each other so you get both operating in unison. It takes a little bit away from independent and makes the towers team together if you will. Your towers will do this / / or \ \ or | | rather than / \ or / |. It's an exageration but you get the picture.

 

We all know that at the moment there are only two commerically available STBs for the G35. One is the VRT and the other is the ARC. I believe that both are better than having no STB at all even if the added benefit is marginal. The real question is how much does each one help and does it justify the high price tag?

 

What I would like to see is some way to measure the "deflection" of the shock towers in hard cornering. How can we do this? If we see substantial deflection, a bar would be in order, if you see very little...

 

I'd really love to see some track times. Say, Infineon before and after the brace. Of course, all other suspension components and tires must remain the same.

Do something like a best of 5 lap scenario, and average times as well. I highly doubt it would subtract full seconds off lap times by itself, but it may give the driver more confidence, equalling better lap times.

 

Sorry, but this thread will go nowhere....

Everyone that has one has stated their opinion already.
The rest is speculation

 

Yes they have but the owner of that thread deleted it so we are starting again. If anyone wants to continue the discussion they can.

 

I believe in Ian's caliberated butt dyno =)

well, let's put it this way, most sports car or sports + luxury car has the front struct bar as standard equipement..

 

I will do that for you this weekend. We are going to Willow Springs and I will run a car 5 laps with the brace, disconnect it and (changing nothing else) run 5 more laps. I know it gives a more sure-footed, confident feel to the cars. Not sure about lap time decrease, maybe more consistency though......who knows, we will see...................

 

Thanks Scott. That would be a great.

 

Most Ferrari's, Lambos, Porsches, Vipers, Vettes, AMG Benzs, M series BMWs, etc don't have strut bars.

 

I drove Scott's G35 out at Streets of Willow last weekend and loved the way it felt with the front strut tower brace. It felt like a Z which is awesome. I have a G35 as well, so I could tell the difference right off the bat. I was pleasantly suprised that I could actually feel that much of a difference. I thought it would be one of those mods that you can't really tell you installed when driving, but it was awesome. The G35 needed it pretty badly.

 

+1. But just to add to what you said. Those that don't have it only have an opinion, as you stated. Those that do, like the both of us, have a basis for evidence.

Lou