Title: Cross-strut bars
Description: Yes, they do work
Description: Yes, they do work
greeneyes - November 21, 2004 07:06 AM (GMT)
Matt Frylai had three cross-strut bars in my lounge. Two for the 6cyl & one for the 3SGE.
I used to use them on the rally car, but that was gravel with yumps, and they were there to stop the strut towers breaking when the car landed.
We basically thought they were just flash bolt-on bits for bling kings on road cars, but we had better try them.
Matt phoned me the day after we fitted one to his car, and said 'hell yes, they make a difference, even at ordinary speeds!'
So when I went to Rotorua this weekend I had the mounts already bolted on, and after driving to Morrinsville via the Kaimai lunch run roads we bolted the bar across the top.
Yes, the car seemed to ride the bumps mid-corner better, and even the bumps on straight roads. But it was quite subtle and hard to pin down the difference.
On the way back to Auckland today (over the Kaimai Cafe roads beside the mountain and up through Miranda/Kawakawa Bay) we did the same. Ran with it, took it off for half an hour, put it back on again...
I think the car understeers a little less in a corner with the bar on, especially if it is bumpy and normally it would drift off-line. It seems to wallow less when there are bumps in a corner, and the steering feels a little more precise. With this comes a feeling of better balance, something the car is extremely good at anyway. The sidewall edges of the rear tyres are just as scuffed as those on the front tyres, so the rear tyres are working as hard as the fronts.
It seems quieter over hollows & bumps in a straight line, absorbing the shock better.
A nice addition, but not as marked an improvement as the stiffer rear sway bar.
On a depressing note, around the twisty bits North of Miranda an M3 BMW caught me up. He hauled past as we ran out of the 70kph area by the beach, and headed up the hill. I couldn't keep up, he blasted out of corners and pulled tens of metres on me, hurled it into corners at the same speed, (it was lowered and I'm on standard suspension!) and I didn't gain much under braking. Eventually he zipped past the only car we meet, on a tiny straight by Orere Point and I couldn't. We never caught up again! :(
Mind you, that was one of the times we DIDN'T have the cross-strut bar on!! :lol:
We need to test them on a track day!
keith
I used to use them on the rally car, but that was gravel with yumps, and they were there to stop the strut towers breaking when the car landed.
We basically thought they were just flash bolt-on bits for bling kings on road cars, but we had better try them.
Matt phoned me the day after we fitted one to his car, and said 'hell yes, they make a difference, even at ordinary speeds!'
So when I went to Rotorua this weekend I had the mounts already bolted on, and after driving to Morrinsville via the Kaimai lunch run roads we bolted the bar across the top.
Yes, the car seemed to ride the bumps mid-corner better, and even the bumps on straight roads. But it was quite subtle and hard to pin down the difference.
On the way back to Auckland today (over the Kaimai Cafe roads beside the mountain and up through Miranda/Kawakawa Bay) we did the same. Ran with it, took it off for half an hour, put it back on again...
I think the car understeers a little less in a corner with the bar on, especially if it is bumpy and normally it would drift off-line. It seems to wallow less when there are bumps in a corner, and the steering feels a little more precise. With this comes a feeling of better balance, something the car is extremely good at anyway. The sidewall edges of the rear tyres are just as scuffed as those on the front tyres, so the rear tyres are working as hard as the fronts.
It seems quieter over hollows & bumps in a straight line, absorbing the shock better.
A nice addition, but not as marked an improvement as the stiffer rear sway bar.
On a depressing note, around the twisty bits North of Miranda an M3 BMW caught me up. He hauled past as we ran out of the 70kph area by the beach, and headed up the hill. I couldn't keep up, he blasted out of corners and pulled tens of metres on me, hurled it into corners at the same speed, (it was lowered and I'm on standard suspension!) and I didn't gain much under braking. Eventually he zipped past the only car we meet, on a tiny straight by Orere Point and I couldn't. We never caught up again! :(
Mind you, that was one of the times we DIDN'T have the cross-strut bar on!! :lol:
We need to test them on a track day!
keith
SSML - December 17, 2004 12:57 PM (GMT)
Kieth:
I am waiting the arrival of JIC strut bar now. Can u give me some instructions on how to install the struct bar?
* Tools required?
* jack up the car?
* remove wheels?
* any precautions?
* does it affect alignment?
thanks!
I am waiting the arrival of JIC strut bar now. Can u give me some instructions on how to install the struct bar?
* Tools required?
* jack up the car?
* remove wheels?
* any precautions?
* does it affect alignment?
thanks!
Sirnixalot - December 17, 2004 04:02 PM (GMT)
you will need a deep socket 12mm
Undo the 3 12mm nuts on both front struts, drop strut tower brace in place over the strut studs (what you took those 6 nuts off of), screw the nuts back ont he studs and be on your way
Undo the 3 12mm nuts on both front struts, drop strut tower brace in place over the strut studs (what you took those 6 nuts off of), screw the nuts back ont he studs and be on your way
greeneyes - December 17, 2004 07:57 PM (GMT)
Yes, they are very simple to fit. I didn't have any deep sockets, but spanners did it.
You will probably have to unbolt something like the fuse-box to get the brace mount onto the top of the passenger's side strut, then bolt it back on again. I did that on mine. On Frylai's we unbolted some small electrical relay and put it back on afterwards.
Tell us what difference it makes!
You will probably have to unbolt something like the fuse-box to get the brace mount onto the top of the passenger's side strut, then bolt it back on again. I did that on mine. On Frylai's we unbolted some small electrical relay and put it back on afterwards.
Tell us what difference it makes!
?uestlove - December 17, 2004 11:40 PM (GMT)
Yeah, i had the rear on for a while only, and the back always wanted to "drift" until I put the JIC front, it evened out, good improvement, I put my TRD sway bars on, maybe 4 months ago, but I still havent had a chance to really test them out yet :(
I want the under bracing, anyone got those?
I want the under bracing, anyone got those?
Cashfree - December 18, 2004 08:51 AM (GMT)
Hey, I just installed the TRD front strut today. One of the bolts wouldnt budge - even broke my socket key. Finally installed - and will take it for a test when the road conditions become better...
greeneyes - December 18, 2004 09:33 AM (GMT)
C'mon Henry, they're great!!
Surely you like drifting on top of hailstones!! :o
Just put the heater up to max & enjoy the summer! :P
Surely you like drifting on top of hailstones!! :o
Just put the heater up to max & enjoy the summer! :P
Cashfree - December 19, 2004 07:05 AM (GMT)
haha, went for a test drive today. Im no professional driver but I can DEFINITELY feel the difference in the corners. However, I dont know how much difference the strut actually made because I also had Eibach springs installed a few days back as well.
So firstly, my impressions of the Eibach Sportline is that this is probably the best things I've done to my car. The ride comfort believe it or not actually increased - while in the corners, the car feels responsive entering turns and combined with the strut, glides in and out smoothly. There is a HUGE cornering improvement in my opinion compared to stock, but then again Ive never driven a car on coils before. Overall, the driving experience just "feels' better - e.g. try taking a round about in stock springs and then these and you can tell the difference as well. After the strut, the car feels rigid in the front but in a good way. I took it along alfriston as there was hardly any cars today, and what I noticed was that the car felt "steady" especially at faster speeds. In corners, combined with springs, you just point the car in the direction you want to go and it enters a steady turn right away (instead of getting that delayed change and wobble). I couldn't stop smiling after the drive :D
Oh, the ONLY thing that I didnt like about the Eibach's is that it hardly, if at all, lowered my car. I thought they were supposed to be at least 2inch drop, but the drop was more like a few mm. I was going for the "lower" look, but at least I dont have to worry about parking and speedbumps ;)
Hope my opinion helps anyone interested...
So firstly, my impressions of the Eibach Sportline is that this is probably the best things I've done to my car. The ride comfort believe it or not actually increased - while in the corners, the car feels responsive entering turns and combined with the strut, glides in and out smoothly. There is a HUGE cornering improvement in my opinion compared to stock, but then again Ive never driven a car on coils before. Overall, the driving experience just "feels' better - e.g. try taking a round about in stock springs and then these and you can tell the difference as well. After the strut, the car feels rigid in the front but in a good way. I took it along alfriston as there was hardly any cars today, and what I noticed was that the car felt "steady" especially at faster speeds. In corners, combined with springs, you just point the car in the direction you want to go and it enters a steady turn right away (instead of getting that delayed change and wobble). I couldn't stop smiling after the drive :D
Oh, the ONLY thing that I didnt like about the Eibach's is that it hardly, if at all, lowered my car. I thought they were supposed to be at least 2inch drop, but the drop was more like a few mm. I was going for the "lower" look, but at least I dont have to worry about parking and speedbumps ;)
Hope my opinion helps anyone interested...
frylai - December 19, 2004 11:36 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Cashfree @ Dec 19 2004, 07:05 AM) |
| haha, went for a test drive today. Im no professional driver but I can DEFINITELY feel the difference in the corners. However, I dont know how much difference the strut actually made because I also had Eibach springs installed a few days back as well. So firstly, my impressions of the Eibach Sportline is that this is probably the best things I've done to my car. The ride comfort believe it or not actually increased - while in the corners, the car feels responsive entering turns and combined with the strut, glides in and out smoothly. There is a HUGE cornering improvement in my opinion compared to stock, but then again Ive never driven a car on coils before. Overall, the driving experience just "feels' better - e.g. try taking a round about in stock springs and then these and you can tell the difference as well. After the strut, the car feels rigid in the front but in a good way. I took it along alfriston as there was hardly any cars today, and what I noticed was that the car felt "steady" especially at faster speeds. In corners, combined with springs, you just point the car in the direction you want to go and it enters a steady turn right away (instead of getting that delayed change and wobble). I couldn't stop smiling after the drive :D Oh, the ONLY thing that I didnt like about the Eibach's is that it hardly, if at all, lowered my car. I thought they were supposed to be at least 2inch drop, but the drop was more like a few mm. I was going for the "lower" look, but at least I dont have to worry about parking and speedbumps ;) Hope my opinion helps anyone interested... |
Yeah I have to say the turning was impressive after the Lsportline Springs were installed! We did the 180 degree turn on the South Eastern Highway on 70+ kmh...I was absolutley amazed those springs on stock shocks did that! I m sure if thsoe shocks were new we could of done even a better job. Yes I have to say most front cross braces works...some works better than others! I have to say the C-One brace is good but nothing beats the TRD (except for price!!!)
Matt =)
SSML - January 11, 2005 03:38 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (greeneyes @ Dec 18 2004, 07:57 AM) |
| Yes, they are very simple to fit. I didn't have any deep sockets, but spanners did it. You will probably have to unbolt something like the fuse-box to get the brace mount onto the top of the passenger's side strut, then bolt it back on again. I did that on mine. On Frylai's we unbolted some small electrical relay and put it back on afterwards. Tell us what difference it makes! |
Hi everyone.
Got my JIS strut bar arrived yesterday(thanks Frylai)
tried to removed the nuts from strut upper mount, but there were too tight!
I didnt have deep socket kit, I tried with adjustable spanner, but the nut didnt turn , instead the surface of the nut was slightly deformed.
nt sure whether the shop tightened the nuts too much when they install te Eibach springs ~ 14 months ago. ...
should I: (1) try deep 12mm socket ?
or (2) go to work shop to get pros fitted?
any other tricks I can loosen those nuts?
those nuts drive me nut :angry:
SSML
frylai - January 11, 2005 04:12 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (SSML @ Jan 11 2005, 03:38 AM) | ||
Hi everyone. Got my JIS strut bar arrived yesterday(thanks Frylai) tried to removed the nuts from strut upper mount, but there were too tight! I didnt have deep socket kit, I tried with adjustable spanner, but the nut didnt turn , instead the surface of the nut was slightly deformed. nt sure whether the shop tightened the nuts too much when they install te Eibach springs ~ 14 months ago. ... should I: (1) try deep 12mm socket ? or (2) go to work shop to get pros fitted? any other tricks I can loosen those nuts? those nuts drive me nut :angry: SSML |
get aq 12 mm socket man...1st it will be cheaper 2nd you can do it yourself when you take it off the car in the future....just my 02 cents...=)
Matt =)
black200 - May 19, 2005 05:41 AM (GMT)
where do i source one of these strut braces and how much for :D:D
FLEX - May 19, 2005 09:54 AM (GMT)
just got the car back from the workshop ...
had both the TRD front & rear sways in as well as the CUSCO strut bar - and man -watta difference it made!
driving was really "tight" i only just tested it in the dark around some BIG empty streets here and definetly well worth it !
had both the TRD front & rear sways in as well as the CUSCO strut bar - and man -watta difference it made!
driving was really "tight" i only just tested it in the dark around some BIG empty streets here and definetly well worth it !
beerbaron - May 20, 2005 12:39 AM (GMT)
Flex
did you get a rear strut brace too ? or only stuck one on the front ?
did you get a rear strut brace too ? or only stuck one on the front ?
jasestu - April 16, 2006 11:56 PM (GMT)
In case you need help justifying the purchase of some branded engine bay bling:
Zhaust.com reviews the Cusco Type OS Strut Brace on a Toyota Altezza
Zhaust.com reviews the Cusco Type OS Strut Brace on a Toyota Altezza
| QUOTE (http://www.zhaust.com/tech/0905/cuscobar/index.html) |
| You see many of the performance cars in the magazines sporting strut braces, especially at the front. Some people put them on to enhance the look of their engine bay and some people use them with the expectation of improved handling. But do they work? For our test we have selected the Cusco Type OS strut brace. Cusco has built an envied reputation for themselves in the segment of suspension and L.S.Ds. As such we have decided to go with them for the review. There are a number of things to look for when selecting a strut brace. Ideally one will wish to cop a one piece bar that has no moving parts for better rigidity but increasingly popular are the three piece braces which consist of a hollow bar with 2 end pieces, such as the one in our test, so we will see just how effective they are. Ultimately you would wish to get a brace which also secures itself to the firewall in addition to the shock towers. Secondly, if you are going to use a three piece brace you should ensure that the end pieces are made of steel or stronger material as opposed to aluminum. An aluminum bar is quite fine however. The design of the bar is important as well. Most bars are hollow but reinforced on the inside for increased rigidity of the bar and resistance to twisting. Manufacturers use different technologies to ensure that the bar stays rigid but to be sure that you get a performance enhancing product and not an engine bay ornament always purchase from a reputable manufacturer. Our test car is a Toyota Altezza, which is known to have a few issues of its own when it comes to handling. Installation of the Cusco brace was a snap. Installation time was less than 45 minutes. The package includes a bracket which repositions the throttle cable and protective loom that protects the cable from rubbing the brace. This is where merchandise from quality brands really shines. A point to note which is usually ignored or unknown by installers is that your suspension should be suspended when you are installing your brace. This ensures even balance and neutral suspension orientation when you tighten up. The moment of truth. Does this thing work or is it another marketing gimmick that we stupidly fall for like lemmings? What's the verdict?. HELL YEAH! Improvements could have been easily felt in the car's handling characteristics. Notably turn in is a lot sharper and the feedback to the steering is much more positive. This means a huge decrease in understeer and much better traction from the wheels now being firmly planted to the tarmac. Overall the car feels much more responsive and much less flexible, allowing the driver to feel more confident when attacking the corners. We give this product two smoking tires! If you can afford it, we recommend one for the rear and lower braces as well to keep your shizzle tight! |
NEIGHT - November 28, 2006 08:20 AM (GMT)
"Our test car is a Toyota Altezza, which is known to have a few issues of its own when it comes to handling"
What are these issues supposed to be? (just outta curiousity)
What are these issues supposed to be? (just outta curiousity)
greeneyes - November 28, 2006 08:40 AM (GMT)
Car magazine BS..
They quite liked it when they reviewed it here-
http://www.zhaust.com/features/0304/altezza/index.html
They quite liked it when they reviewed it here-
http://www.zhaust.com/features/0304/altezza/index.html
Brian_J - November 28, 2006 03:21 PM (GMT)
i found a increased stiffer front end produced more understeer
greeneyes - November 28, 2006 07:49 PM (GMT)
Yes, that makes sense.
That's why a rear one increases turn-in, like the rear sway bar I fitted.
(PS- Brian, they must have your parts prices on a ship to NZ!!)
That's why a rear one increases turn-in, like the rear sway bar I fitted.
(PS- Brian, they must have your parts prices on a ship to NZ!!)
DR-JEKL - July 2, 2007 11:11 AM (GMT)
Thread Bump!!
Has any1 here fitted the JIC magic to an IS? or Cusco lower F or R braces?
I am ready to install my polished JIC F S/B, Cusco lower F chassis brace, Trust rear lower chassis brace, & HKS rear upper braces this weekend along with my Tom's Advox coilovers.
Has any1 here had any installation difficulties, especially on the rear?
I have researched a lot of US forums and of all the S/B from Japan the JIC is best for clearing the 2JZ engine in the IS300, unsure if I will install my HKS brace until I decide on what sub box combo I choose to take.... Any1 wanna buy a HKS rear brace if I decide to go for a conventional wedge sub box behind the backseat leaving no space for my HKS rear s/b?!?! :rolleyes:
I'm currently looking into buying a cusco adjustable camber kit that replaces the upper wishbone, and some TRD sportivo 'blue' swaybars to top my suspension package off B)
Has any1 here fitted the JIC magic to an IS? or Cusco lower F or R braces?
I am ready to install my polished JIC F S/B, Cusco lower F chassis brace, Trust rear lower chassis brace, & HKS rear upper braces this weekend along with my Tom's Advox coilovers.
Has any1 here had any installation difficulties, especially on the rear?
I have researched a lot of US forums and of all the S/B from Japan the JIC is best for clearing the 2JZ engine in the IS300, unsure if I will install my HKS brace until I decide on what sub box combo I choose to take.... Any1 wanna buy a HKS rear brace if I decide to go for a conventional wedge sub box behind the backseat leaving no space for my HKS rear s/b?!?! :rolleyes:
I'm currently looking into buying a cusco adjustable camber kit that replaces the upper wishbone, and some TRD sportivo 'blue' swaybars to top my suspension package off B)
xnickx - July 24, 2008 02:43 AM (GMT)
Yes they do work!!!
Only got to giving my car a good drive last night with the new Greddy strut brace.
Loving the shaper turn in, might just be me but made the steering feel more responsive too!
Now its tossing up losing my sub for a rear strut bar, or just go with front and rear lower arm bars
Only got to giving my car a good drive last night with the new Greddy strut brace.
Loving the shaper turn in, might just be me but made the steering feel more responsive too!
Now its tossing up losing my sub for a rear strut bar, or just go with front and rear lower arm bars
Distrb - July 24, 2008 03:36 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (xnickx @ Jul 24 2008, 02:43 PM) |
| Yes they do work!!! Only got to giving my car a good drive last night with the new Greddy strut brace. Loving the shaper turn in, might just be me but made the steering feel more responsive too! Now its tossing up losing my sub for a rear strut bar, or just go with front and rear lower arm bars |
leave sub in for the street, take it out and replace with strut brace for the track ;)
Barryogen - July 24, 2008 04:26 AM (GMT)
redo the sub box so you can have both... thats what I'm just planning for mine.
alimac - July 24, 2008 11:21 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Barryogen @ Jul 24 2008, 04:26 PM) |
| redo the sub box so you can have both... thats what I'm just planning for mine. |
my thoughts as well
E910 - July 26, 2008 06:06 AM (GMT)
I just picked me up some HKS Kansai Front & Rear tower bars. Has anyone fitted a rear to theirs? Are there any tricks to removing the boot trim & any advice for cutting out appropriate holes in it, maybe someone knows of a template or the likes?
*EDIT*
Finally got around to installing my front brace. Makes the front end noticeably firmer. Worthy mod. Now to get the rear one installed
Got the rear one in a few months ago. Combined with the front brace the car is so tight now & corners like an absolute dream. A must have IMO
*EDIT*
Finally got around to installing my front brace. Makes the front end noticeably firmer. Worthy mod. Now to get the rear one installed
Got the rear one in a few months ago. Combined with the front brace the car is so tight now & corners like an absolute dream. A must have IMO
lonestar - April 30, 2009 11:43 PM (GMT)
I just picked up the TRD Front Strut brace, when come to bolt it on, im caught out by the L shaped pipe that sits over the passengers side housing... any tips to get around this issue?
cheers
cheers
xnickx - April 30, 2009 11:52 PM (GMT)
Remove the fuse/relay box, bolt the bar on, and fit the box ontop
lonestar - May 1, 2009 05:39 AM (GMT)
wow... the response is incredible.. good buy imo... just need to look at buying the rear one now as when driving at speed around corners the rear has a tendency to slide away from you.
xero - May 1, 2009 07:42 AM (GMT)
I've also got a front, I had just the rear in the old tezz, having the front is so much better. Now looking for the back... Might just grab the one off nick. :D
Nick if your reading this...
Nick if your reading this...
lonestar - May 1, 2009 08:03 AM (GMT)
lol... dont get me started into a bidding war their xero
xero - May 1, 2009 09:31 AM (GMT)
War's already won friend. ^_^
xnickx - May 1, 2009 10:32 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (xero @ May 1 2009, 09:31 PM) |
| War's already won friend. ^_^ |
Your name is on it first Mark, got one left at the old yen buy price ;)
lonestar - May 1, 2009 12:23 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (xnickx @ May 1 2009, 10:32 PM) |
| Your name is on it first Mark, got one left at the old yen buy price ;) |
which is how much
xero - May 1, 2009 11:04 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (xnickx @ May 1 2009, 10:32 PM) |
| Your name is on it first Mark, got one left at the old yen buy price ;) |
thanks mate, ill give you a call on monday.
xero - May 7, 2009 09:57 AM (GMT)
And here it is. :P
Thanks for all your help Nick and for the wicked deal! What a champ!
Thanks for all your help Nick and for the wicked deal! What a champ!