Front Strut Tower Bars, worth it?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

12-02-2002, 07:50 PM

#16

adamsrs

Guest

Posts: n/a

I stand by Cusco all the way (except in the design of their front pillow mounts!!!) i own almost every brance that Cusco makes for the GC8..the only think i am lacking it the front Lower arm bar! And i will get that soon! I LOVE CUSCO! and it looks BEAUTIFUL!
adamsrs

12-03-2002, 04:24 PM

#17

KGB

Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2002

Location: Delta, BC, Canada

Posts: 99

Car Info: 2000 Impreza 2.5RS BRP

The front towers are quite close to the firewall so the effect is less. I would stiffen the rear first. Unless you are pulling some high cornering Gs, it's not as effective as you think with the front strut tower bar.

12-08-2002, 10:57 PM

#18

GDA-EJ20

Guest

Posts: n/a

Does anyone have the Cusco front lower arms(the 4 point one)?? They have it on vivid and i am wondering if it is worth it??? Does it make more difference than a front strut bar??

12-09-2002, 02:28 PM

#19

gtguy

Guest

Posts: n/a

Front tower bars on a Subaru put the "doo" in voodoo. The strut towers are right by the firewalls. If your body is flexing enough to have your strut towers bow in toward each other, you have bigger problems than a strut bar can cure.

You would get more handling improvement from a lower brace from STi or Cusco, than an upper brace. I have the four-point Cusco brace, and it is excellent. It adds a bit of understeer, but my wagon was a bit tail-happy, so the addition brought it right back to neutral. Stability is the biggest improvement wrought by the Cusco brace. The STi lower brace is also nice, but more expensive.

Kevin

12-09-2002, 09:40 PM

#20

GDA-EJ20

Guest

Posts: n/a

Thanks.. guess i am going for the 4 point cusco front lower arm......

12-10-2002, 08:05 AM

#21

Z1 Performance

Registered User

iTrader: (7)

Join Date: Nov 2002

Location: Long Island, New York

Posts: 745

Only downside to the Cusco bar is when it meets Mr. Pothole....otherwise, its a nice piece that adds good turn in response.

Adam

12-10-2002, 09:56 AM

#22

gtguy

Guest

Posts: n/a

Quote:

Originally posted by Z1 Performance
Only downside to the Cusco bar is when it meets Mr. Pothole....otherwise, its a nice piece that adds good turn in response.

Adam

Knock wood Adam, knock wood... Oh, it also picks stuff up. We were under the car, and discovered a soda can stuck in the bar, which also explained the metallic rattle that we were hearing. (d-oh!)

Kevin

Last edited by gtguy; 12-10-2002 at 10:18 AM.

12-10-2002, 09:24 PM

#23

Dolphin Overton

Guest

Posts: n/a

gtguy- is the lower brace you are talking about the small one that goes on the rear cross member? I was thinking of getting that and STI strut tops before the rear strut brace...

sound like a good Idea?

12-11-2002, 07:49 AM

#24

gtguy

Guest

Posts: n/a

Quote:

Originally posted by Dolphin Overton
gtguy- is the lower brace you are talking about the small one that goes on the rear cross member? I was thinking of getting that and STI strut tops before the rear strut brace...

sound like a good Idea?

The one that I'm talking about goes on the front, and makes a nice, snug little box of the control arm bushings and suspension crossmembers. Yummy! I believe that there is also one for the rear, but with all of the STi goodness that I have going on back there, it seemed overkill for my needs.

Kevin

12-11-2002, 08:31 PM

#25

Dolphin Overton

Guest

Posts: n/a

Where do you get this front brace, I don't believe I've ever seen it? I've had the STI V5 suspension on the car for a little over a year and need to stiffen the chassis up a bit...

I have a GC8 though... is there one made for the GC8?

12-12-2002, 08:14 AM

#26

gtguy

Guest

Posts: n/a

Try Teague's Auto, or MPJ Performance (where I got mine).

Kevin

12-12-2002, 11:39 PM

#27

Dolphin Overton

Guest

Posts: n/a

I saw one today at Flatirons(best dealership ever). The Whiteline. That is exactly what I need. Flatirons sells, prodrive, zero sports, STI, MRT/WHiteline as an authorized dealer. THey friggin ROCK.

12-18-2002, 09:10 AM

#28

nixx

Guest

Posts: n/a

All strutbars function practically the same.
Difference is in material quality. If you're going for looks AND functionality go with brandnames cuz they do justify the cost of looking 'cool'. If you're for fullout performance then just any generic brand will do. But generic brands will rust, ie. Ractive, etc

12-22-2002, 04:26 AM

#29

impreza2002

Guest

Posts: n/a

The front strut bar does make a difference! I have one on my car now and it makes the car understeer a lot. In my opinion, the gains is more controll of the car, and never worry about a tail spin (I tried every corner and it just wont oversteer). However, I notice that I got lesser speed in a cornering now. I usually can do a 80km corner easily without the bar, but now 70km is my maximum! I tried a few times doing over 70km and what I had found is lossing traction up in the front. The last thing I can say is that the bar does give you more confidence, but on the other hand you may have to sacrifice some speeed.

12-25-2002, 12:36 PM

#30

dcfireman

Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2002

Location: Washington DC

Posts: 36

Car Info: 2003 Impreza WRX

Gt Guy...

Golly! I just love a "snug little box"! I have got to find one of these! Yummy! anyone have any idea what the web address of this "Flatirons" place is? Thanks in advance....