KidJustin
11-05-2011, 06:25 AM
I was thinking about it and I realized that my CUSCO Front Strut Tower Bar Review should have its own thread. So that people can search for it easily and it wont get lost with all the other things going on in my build thread. I don't think I'm violating any forum rules on this, but if I am I'm fine with this thread being locked/deleted.First I would very much like to thank the CUSCO (http://www.facebook.com/CuscoUSA) team down at Huntington Beach for the sponsorship, the great product, as well as the opportunity to just get to know a great bunch of guys really dedicated to CUSCO and providing the best aftermarket products someone can get for their vehicle.
It has been a while since I first met them to test fit the first prototype and throughout all this time it became very clear to me early on that with their skills, knowledge, and the effort they have put into designing this strut bar, it is perfect for our tC2s and I would say one of the best must have mods for the car.
Now onto the review:
No Competition (visually, comparing to what other struts are out)-
Since I have not experience the other struts available, I am only going based off the photos I have seen. By looking at other strut bars, they are one piece setups and the brace around the shock are not full circles (TRD (http://www.trdsparks.com/displayparts.php?Mdl_dtl=748&Part_cat=11&parts_id=3877)) or they have an adjustable preload (Tanabe (http://www.tanabe-usa.com/towerbar.asp)), which has its own controversy. This here is a clear indication that CUSCO's strut bar will more likely be more secure and offer even more rigidity to the chassis. Installation-wise, each brace can be easily secured first before putting it all together with the bar. The braces can be secured with a socket and the bar with a large hex key.
Also, CUSCO takes the cake as far as the high quality of the materials they used for the strut bar, as well as all of their products. Here take a look:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5690874895_9605943e3c_b.jpg
"Cusco makes their products into perfection. Most of the companies out there do not have any proof or show the materials used to finalize what they make. These three materials shown are different types and design of Strut Bars. You can see the crafting is absolutely in detail, such as the far left product which is 'twin layered oval sectioned lightweight aluminum shaft with carbon fiber'. The design is for proper fitment and most importantly, the rigidity. "The Look (for all those "Show>Go" modders)-
DAMNNNN...doesn't that just look sexy??
http://i.minus.com/irai1dgBl2Jd6.jpg
Chrome finish strut bar with CUSCO blue braces, a very nice touch to dress up any engine bay. The design of the strut bar is flat, which keeps with the sleekness of it all as well as the slim, lightweight feel of it. Don't forget the CUSCO racing sticker that comes with it. Line in up perfectly in the middle and represent the product! But maybe the sticker thing is not for you, well never fear because the bar comes etched with the CUSCO logo and added "Made In Japan" to let everyone know you got a legit product.
http://i.minus.com/ibtOILYLVfyacg.jpg
This part of the review might not have a lot of words, mainly because you have to see how appealing it is to believe it. Here is the CUSCO strut bar with a stock air box:
http://i.minus.com/irYxTtKIanVDQ.jpg
And with an aftermarket (Descendant) cold air intake:
http://i.minus.com/iu3JvFKOJ1ZIS.jpg
The strut bar only adds to the limitless possibilities a Scion enthusiast might have to dress up their engine bay. But what's really great about it is that it is not only visually appealing....
The Feel (What are the performance improvements?)-
The visually appeal the CUSCO strut bar also works well with the actual practical purpose of the product. The design is sleek and eye catching, but it is also meant to be like that to get the best improvements out of the bar.
Quickly in case you didn't know...
A strut bar is designed to add rigidity to the chassis and allow for better handling because the bar will keep the chassis from flexing and putting extra strain on the suspension. In addition to better steering it will also help keep the wheels aligned and pointed in the right desired direction. Right away from a non-AutoXer's perspective you will feel that the steering feels stiffer. Not the kind of stiffness when the power steering goes out, but the kind that just makes it feel like there is more grip on the front tires and you have more control on handling the car. In addition to that, the CUSCO strut bar is VERY sturdy but VERY lightweight. Not this bar particularly, but I know of examples of when cars with a CUSCO strut bar have gotten into an accident and totaled the car, the CUSCO strut bar was still near perfect condition. You can have the enhanced feel of handling without compromising added unwanted weight to the car.
Obviously this is best for those AutoXers out there because the most noticeable improvements come with situations such as hard cornering at high speeds, quickly weaving around cones, and all that good stuff. And am completely sure that the CUSCO strut bar will greatly improve performance, feel, and probably even lap times.
But what about those daily drivers? This is exactly my situation and I can say that for someone that never cared about doing a strut bar upgrade, I have no idea what I was thinking before and will always have a strut bar on my must have list for any future car I will own. While the improvement is not night and day...because well, the turning on a new car isn't (and shouldn't) be bad in the first place, the CUSCO strut bar just has that slight, fine-tuning adjustment to make driving just a little more enjoyable. To be real, some may notice it, some may not, but either way it is better overall for the car.
Here is what I did notice...
(disclaimer: I do not enforce reckless driving of any sorts and I do not and will not take any liability for any accidents happening after trying to mimic any of the driving conditions I am about to say.)
The closet simulation I had to weaving around cones was weaving around traffic. Before I used to be worried of fitting in a gap on a tight lane change because the car doesn't completely get into the lane fast enough and end up annoying the other car...or worse...But now it is as if I just think it and the tC2 knows it and does it with the exact reaction time as me. I have also weaved around cars that have cut me off...all the while nothing (packages or people) in the car felt any jerkiness or ended up flying across the car. It all felt very stable. On some turns I used to feel as if the car was pulling itself across and everything in the hatch would start rolling around like crazy, that is all gone now.
Then as for testing out the feel on some hard cornering, I went to some residential turns I knew are usually relatively clear. Before the CUSCO strut bar I usually found myself either 1) slowing down a lot before the turn or 2) found myself taking a super wide turn and basically driving on the wrong side of the road. But after the CUSCO strut bar, I feel like I am still in complete control while not having to sacrifice speed. This is very good for lopping freeway on-ramps. I can get on the ramp and immediately start to get the speed up so that I will flow with traffic (if not faster) for super easy merging. And if its one of those two lane on-ramps, I can quickly change to the lane that is clear and pass up those other cars slowing down on the turn.
The Conclusion (The Look, the Feel, and how it affects your Wallet)-
It looks cool, its designed and tested, its strong, it adds to safety, it gives you better feel behind the wheel, its made in Japan, its cheaper than TRD (CUSCO MSPR is $200, TRD MSRP is $245). What else can you ask for???
From daily drivers to full on racers, a strut bar is a must just for that better feel in handling and added quick response times, and CUSCO clearly goes above and beyond on their product. This is arguably one of the best products on the market and only a start of things to come. It's a simple fact, CUSCO makes great products and its is great for them to dip into the tC2 market.
http://www.cusco.co.jp/en/JPG/SCION%20TC%20Strut%20BarLetterS.jpg
-------------------------------------------
Other links:
Visit 1 (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204209) | Visit 2 (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3872897&postcount=27) | Visit 3 (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3903675&postcount=87)
Install Guide (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3905198&postcount=113)
Group buy organized by SL member biglilsteve (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207252)
Official CUSCO ad (http://www.cusco.co.jp/en/parts_product/scion_tc_tcii_strut_tower_bar.html)
It has been a while since I first met them to test fit the first prototype and throughout all this time it became very clear to me early on that with their skills, knowledge, and the effort they have put into designing this strut bar, it is perfect for our tC2s and I would say one of the best must have mods for the car.
Now onto the review:
No Competition (visually, comparing to what other struts are out)-
Since I have not experience the other struts available, I am only going based off the photos I have seen. By looking at other strut bars, they are one piece setups and the brace around the shock are not full circles (TRD (http://www.trdsparks.com/displayparts.php?Mdl_dtl=748&Part_cat=11&parts_id=3877)) or they have an adjustable preload (Tanabe (http://www.tanabe-usa.com/towerbar.asp)), which has its own controversy. This here is a clear indication that CUSCO's strut bar will more likely be more secure and offer even more rigidity to the chassis. Installation-wise, each brace can be easily secured first before putting it all together with the bar. The braces can be secured with a socket and the bar with a large hex key.
Also, CUSCO takes the cake as far as the high quality of the materials they used for the strut bar, as well as all of their products. Here take a look:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5690874895_9605943e3c_b.jpg
"Cusco makes their products into perfection. Most of the companies out there do not have any proof or show the materials used to finalize what they make. These three materials shown are different types and design of Strut Bars. You can see the crafting is absolutely in detail, such as the far left product which is 'twin layered oval sectioned lightweight aluminum shaft with carbon fiber'. The design is for proper fitment and most importantly, the rigidity. "The Look (for all those "Show>Go" modders)-
DAMNNNN...doesn't that just look sexy??
http://i.minus.com/irai1dgBl2Jd6.jpg
Chrome finish strut bar with CUSCO blue braces, a very nice touch to dress up any engine bay. The design of the strut bar is flat, which keeps with the sleekness of it all as well as the slim, lightweight feel of it. Don't forget the CUSCO racing sticker that comes with it. Line in up perfectly in the middle and represent the product! But maybe the sticker thing is not for you, well never fear because the bar comes etched with the CUSCO logo and added "Made In Japan" to let everyone know you got a legit product.
http://i.minus.com/ibtOILYLVfyacg.jpg
This part of the review might not have a lot of words, mainly because you have to see how appealing it is to believe it. Here is the CUSCO strut bar with a stock air box:
http://i.minus.com/irYxTtKIanVDQ.jpg
And with an aftermarket (Descendant) cold air intake:
http://i.minus.com/iu3JvFKOJ1ZIS.jpg
The strut bar only adds to the limitless possibilities a Scion enthusiast might have to dress up their engine bay. But what's really great about it is that it is not only visually appealing....
The Feel (What are the performance improvements?)-
The visually appeal the CUSCO strut bar also works well with the actual practical purpose of the product. The design is sleek and eye catching, but it is also meant to be like that to get the best improvements out of the bar.
Quickly in case you didn't know...
A strut bar is designed to add rigidity to the chassis and allow for better handling because the bar will keep the chassis from flexing and putting extra strain on the suspension. In addition to better steering it will also help keep the wheels aligned and pointed in the right desired direction. Right away from a non-AutoXer's perspective you will feel that the steering feels stiffer. Not the kind of stiffness when the power steering goes out, but the kind that just makes it feel like there is more grip on the front tires and you have more control on handling the car. In addition to that, the CUSCO strut bar is VERY sturdy but VERY lightweight. Not this bar particularly, but I know of examples of when cars with a CUSCO strut bar have gotten into an accident and totaled the car, the CUSCO strut bar was still near perfect condition. You can have the enhanced feel of handling without compromising added unwanted weight to the car.
Obviously this is best for those AutoXers out there because the most noticeable improvements come with situations such as hard cornering at high speeds, quickly weaving around cones, and all that good stuff. And am completely sure that the CUSCO strut bar will greatly improve performance, feel, and probably even lap times.
But what about those daily drivers? This is exactly my situation and I can say that for someone that never cared about doing a strut bar upgrade, I have no idea what I was thinking before and will always have a strut bar on my must have list for any future car I will own. While the improvement is not night and day...because well, the turning on a new car isn't (and shouldn't) be bad in the first place, the CUSCO strut bar just has that slight, fine-tuning adjustment to make driving just a little more enjoyable. To be real, some may notice it, some may not, but either way it is better overall for the car.
Here is what I did notice...
(disclaimer: I do not enforce reckless driving of any sorts and I do not and will not take any liability for any accidents happening after trying to mimic any of the driving conditions I am about to say.)
The closet simulation I had to weaving around cones was weaving around traffic. Before I used to be worried of fitting in a gap on a tight lane change because the car doesn't completely get into the lane fast enough and end up annoying the other car...or worse...But now it is as if I just think it and the tC2 knows it and does it with the exact reaction time as me. I have also weaved around cars that have cut me off...all the while nothing (packages or people) in the car felt any jerkiness or ended up flying across the car. It all felt very stable. On some turns I used to feel as if the car was pulling itself across and everything in the hatch would start rolling around like crazy, that is all gone now.
Then as for testing out the feel on some hard cornering, I went to some residential turns I knew are usually relatively clear. Before the CUSCO strut bar I usually found myself either 1) slowing down a lot before the turn or 2) found myself taking a super wide turn and basically driving on the wrong side of the road. But after the CUSCO strut bar, I feel like I am still in complete control while not having to sacrifice speed. This is very good for lopping freeway on-ramps. I can get on the ramp and immediately start to get the speed up so that I will flow with traffic (if not faster) for super easy merging. And if its one of those two lane on-ramps, I can quickly change to the lane that is clear and pass up those other cars slowing down on the turn.
The Conclusion (The Look, the Feel, and how it affects your Wallet)-
It looks cool, its designed and tested, its strong, it adds to safety, it gives you better feel behind the wheel, its made in Japan, its cheaper than TRD (CUSCO MSPR is $200, TRD MSRP is $245). What else can you ask for???
From daily drivers to full on racers, a strut bar is a must just for that better feel in handling and added quick response times, and CUSCO clearly goes above and beyond on their product. This is arguably one of the best products on the market and only a start of things to come. It's a simple fact, CUSCO makes great products and its is great for them to dip into the tC2 market.
http://www.cusco.co.jp/en/JPG/SCION%20TC%20Strut%20BarLetterS.jpg
-------------------------------------------
Other links:
Visit 1 (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204209) | Visit 2 (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3872897&postcount=27) | Visit 3 (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3903675&postcount=87)
Install Guide (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3905198&postcount=113)
Group buy organized by SL member biglilsteve (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207252)
Official CUSCO ad (http://www.cusco.co.jp/en/parts_product/scion_tc_tcii_strut_tower_bar.html)