First I've heard TRD even had one in the works...

http://www.trdsparks.com/displayparts.php?Mdl_dtl=748&Part_cat=11&parts_id=3877

Am I missing something?

It's been on the Scion site under accessories for quite some time.

That's the thing that goes over the engine right? [noob]

Yep. Guess I haven't paid enough attention.

Coming soon.... :cool:

I talked to TRD today, and they told me April before it will be available.

what kind of impact will these make on the car? I was thinking about installing these and TRD springs at the same time since they share bolts.

And what's the difference between this and the sway bar set?

And what's the difference between this and the sway bar set?

the strut tower brace goes across the top of the front struts, in the engine compartment area where the top of the struts go through the body.

The sway bar set has one for the front and one for the rear, and goes at the bottom of the vehicle. You already have sway bars, but these are upgraded sway bars that work better, and of course are bright red in color. The front one goes across the bottom of the engine and will connect on both sides to the lower control arms. The rear one will also be below the car and connect to both sides. They help remove body roll from the car.

Good explanation, thanks! Does the strut tower brace provide somewhat the same effect as the upgraded sway bars?

Sway Bar Set Description from Toyota:

Engineered by TRD to enhance vehicle-handling characteristics, the front and rear sway bar set helps provide flatter, more stable vehicle cornering. Constructed of high-quality spring steel, the sway bars feature a durable corrosion-resistant, gloss red powder coat finish. The TRD sway bar set includes polyurethane bushings and brackets specifically designed to fit the Scion tC.

Strut Tower Brace Description from Toyota:

The TRD front strut tie brace mounts inside the engine compartment to help increase chassis rigidity. The result is reduced flex and increased handling precision during aggressive cornering and rough-road driving. Manufactured from lightweight, high-strength TIG-welded extruded aluminum, it’s powder-coated in a TRD red for maximum protection and durability, and features a bold TRD logo on a brushed aluminum plate. Plus TRD’s design mates with vehicle cowl for increased rigidity.

I've installed strut bars on my other cars and they do make a differance on the handling of the car. I will be getting this for my 2tC also. I looked at the installation instructions and I will be installing the TRD springs at the same time as the tower bar. The disks and the sway bars can be installed at any time without having to repeat work...

struts are in stock at trdsparks.

I've installed strut bars on my other cars and they do make a differance on the handling of the car. I will be getting this for my 2tC also. I looked at the installation instructions and I will be installing the TRD springs at the same time as the tower bar. The disks and the sway bars can be installed at any time without having to repeat work...

Tower bars make difference in most cars.

However, TC2 as-sold has 2 brackets, each bolted to strut tower and cowl (just like in Mazda3). That already helps to increase body rigidity and make turns sharper.

I doubt that removing these brackets and installing bar would make much of a difference.
Opinion from actual bar users in TC2 will be greatly appreciated - Vickat

^^^have you touched those brackets? Super flimsy, I couldn't see them actually doing anything to help the rigidity...

contacted my parts guy at local dealer and he was only showing em up to 2010 :(

gave em the part number off trdsparks and waiting to hear back tomorrow to see whats up

I doubt that removing these brackets and installing bar would make much of a difference.

Well then...don't get it.

2tCornot2tC,
it wasn't about get the bar or not. OEM brackets do feel flimsy, but they are still about half-way between nothing and real strut tower bar.
I'd like to know how much difference TRD bar makes - Vickat

I just got mine today (the tower bar)...with the springs...all TRD parts.

Hey, guess what I'll be doing this weekend.

I just got mine today (the tower bar)...with the springs...all TRD parts.

Hey, guess what I'll be doing this weekend.

cant wait for you to get em on :) write-up maybe? plan on tackling this myself with same stuff once i get money for it

They don't make a trunk brace do they? anyone know?:lalala:

I just got mine today (the tower bar)...with the springs...all TRD parts.

Hey, guess what I'll be doing this weekend.

Looking forward to pictures and opinions.

I just got mine today (the tower bar)...with the springs...all TRD parts.

Hey, guess what I'll be doing this weekend.

How did you get the tower bar already? I just looked this morning and it still shows as a stop sale from Toyota on the Strut Bar?

How did you get the tower bar already? I just looked this morning and it still shows as a stop sale from Toyota on the Strut Bar?

This is where I got it from...

http://www.trdsparks.com/displayparts.php?Mdl_dtl=748&Part_cat=11&parts_id=3877

Looking forward to pictures and opinions.

I just finished installing the springs and the tower bar...but it's raining and it is dark out...oh well, I got to wait for the morning.

Tower bars make difference in most cars.

I would say to all cars...

However, TC2 as-sold has 2 brackets, each bolted to strut tower and cowl (just like in Mazda3). That already helps to increase body rigidity and make turns sharper.

They do not mount to the cowl, they only hold up the drip pan/tray under the windshield. They are not there to stiffen the chassis, but to hold up the drip pan.

I doubt that removing these brackets and installing bar would make much of a difference.

There is a significant difference in construction between those drip pan brackets and the tower bar.

Here are some shots of the TRD Tower Bar...
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2626&pictureid=9963

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2626&pictureid=9965

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2626&pictureid=9962

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2626&pictureid=9964

looks nice, was wondering if it would cause ony clearence issues with an intake. since it looks kinda low and forward.

I don’t think that there would be any issues with a CAI or an SRI…I’m a little concerned because I’ve just ordered the Descendant CF Engine cover and think that it might be tight installing it.

Well then...don't get it.

if in doubt of specific mod, ask somebody who has done it already, and that's what I's doing. some cars show no improvement from bar,
good example are Imprezas, where tower brace adds nothing to performance, as towers are very inflexible to begin with.

still, have you seen tangible steering improvement from having addedd TRD strut tower bar? what was it like?

thanks, Vickat

I've done two mods at the same time...so, that is NOT the way to make good evaluations. You've got to make one change and then evaluate that change. Since the tower bar and the springs require a duplication of work (up front only…but that is the major part of the work), I did it all at once. The springs lowered the car 1" (I measured before and after from the garage floor to the chassis) and these two mods transformed the car. It's like a completely different car…handles so much more precisely. Now I can’t wait for the sway bars to be released.

Looks good. Thanks for posting pictures.

I've done two mods at the same time...so, that is NOT the way to make good evaluations. You've got to make one change and then evaluate that change. Since the tower bar and the springs require a duplication of work (up front only…but that is the major part of the work), I did it all at once. The springs lowered the car 1" (I measured before and after from the garage floor to the chassis) and these two mods transformed the car. It's like a completely different car…handles so much more precisely. Now I can’t wait for the sway bars to be released.


many a thank. I'll go for the bar, for starters - Vickat

The springs lowered the car 1" (I measured before and after from the garage floor to the chassis)

When we measured, we used the centre line of each of the fenders to record a 1.18" drop both front and rear. I'm not disagreeing with your results, simply providing an alternative measurement for people to use. :wink:

When we measured, we used the centre line of each of the fenders to record a 1.18" drop both front and rear. I'm not disagreeing with your results, simply providing an alternative measurement for people to use. :wink:

That's some tape measure you've got there...to 0.01"!

That's some tape measure you've got there...to 0.01"!

Well, it measured just shy of 1 3/16"...

3/16 = 0.1875...

round to 0.18"... (because it wasn't quite 3/16")

total drop of 1.18"

I don’t think that there would be any issues with a CAI or an SRI…I’m a little concerned because I’ve just ordered the Descendant CF Engine cover and think that it might be tight installing it.

Interested to see how it fits when it arrives! Let me know if I can provide any measurements of mine to help before yours arrives!

looks good! i want one!!!! lol

I like it!

Man was it ever tight! I had to remove the nuts for the front tower brace to install the CF engine cover…my suspicions were correct. There are bumps in the back that just clear the brace. Engine vibration is probably enough to bang the two parts together. Two paper towels thick drags and three will not pass at all.
http://scionlife.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2320&pictureid=10000

http://scionlife.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2320&pictureid=10001

Got strut tower bar from TRDSparks (thanks for the tip!) installed in my Gen2 TC.
first impression being that car feels better composed on bumpy roads (less body flex?).
steering felt a bit livelier, too, but still not as it did in my dear departed RSX.

Maannnnn i really like the TRD red... a CF + trd red engine bay would be so epic!

so is a strut bar specific for the 2011 only because on this site ( http://www.dealershipaccessories.com/scionaccessoriescheap/?i=2&id=37845&rmake=560&rmodel=1035&ryear=2011&rpage=0 ) shows it fitting for 09-11 and same with the sway bar ( http://www.dealershipaccessories.com/scionaccessoriescheap/?i=2&id=34484&rmake=560&rmodel=1035&ryear=2011&rpage=0 )

My guess is that that website has made a mistake...

But, you could try it, and then report to us your results.

TRD says the tower brace and the sway bars are different. My tendency is to believe the manufacturer.

i agree with you. the manufacturer is more than likely correct i was just wondering if anyone else has heard of the 2011 fitting with previous years

Here are some shots of the TRD Tower Bar...
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2626&pictureid=9963

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2626&pictureid=9965

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2626&pictureid=9962

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2626&pictureid=9964

Hi there,
in my TC2, this bar is close to air filter lid.
Any problems with filter replacement 'cause of that?
Thanks, vickat
2011 TC2 cement, 28K miles since Feb'11

^^^Can you post a pic?

will do - vickat

^^^Can you post a pic?

here we go - please see attached
best, vickat

you will be ok

thanks!