I am new here and new to owning a Scion and something with actual sport handling, please don't bash on me too much but I'm looking into purchasing sway bars or a front strut bar, can't get a rear strut bar because I like folding my seats down and putting things in the back, well anyway, the sway bars go under the car of course, i know the front and the rear under as well? not in the trunk and my second question is how much better handling would I get with getting just the front strut bar? i know it would be better with a front and rear and would it be better to get the sway bar kit?? remember I'm new and I'm just trying to get as much information as possible from people who actually know about the car and know whats best, anything will help, thank you so much

 

strut bars provide mild handling improvements.

sway bars provide more dramatic handling improvements.

you can skip out on the strut bars all together and just get sway bars.

 

On the TC2 the fire wall is right behind the front struts so the strut bar provides a very minimal increase in handling. (the firewall provides plenty of support by itself) But the sway bars actually tie the suspension together near the wheels so there is a bigger increase in performance.

On another note, the strut bar looks good.

 

Hey, I know you :p As stated above, sway bars all the way. but the strut bar does look nice.

 

i do agree as well, the strut bar does look really good but id rather take functionality over looks because i love taking the car out for drives and especially love the twisties, I think that'll be a nice investment in the future, thank you so much!

 

haha yes you do! they are really easy to put on as well?

 

There are instructions on trdsparks.com. I took off the front sway bar last weekend and it would have been really easy to replace. The rear I don't know from experience but it should be just as easy.

 

alright thanks! i just checked out the instructions and it doesnt seem too hard at all, now i really can't wait to save up and get them, thanks!

 

People that tell you that a strut bar is for looks only have never pushed their cars to the limit (any beyond) nor have they ever tracked their cars. The steel TRD strut bar provides a noticeable improvement…and it’s cheap too.

 

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...or like you've just stolen it. I've had to show my pink slip several times to prove that I haven't stolen the car I was driving.

 

I know first hand that the strut bar I installed (Cusco) improved the handling greatly. I went to Asylum, up in Eureka Springs this past weekend and drove my car like a bat out of hell and she hugged the turns with ease. Next year I will have better tires, coilover and sway bars to take them at even greater speeds. What a blast!

 

I'd go for all 3, front and rear sway bars and front strut bar. They'll make a noticable improveent indeed and will be gretly complimented with some decent aftermarket coilovers or stiffer lowering springs. It'll also help with drivng confidence and since you're new to having a car with any sport like handling they will make the car feel rock solid to the road especialy with the oem wheels and tires. Just make sure you stick to the oem tires or get slightly grippier ones. A cheaper tire that I have personal experience with are the Falken Azenis RT-615K's. They handle better than stock and last close to nearly as long (logngevity to price, about equal) and are more affordable, but they make a little more road noise than the oems and I say wet handling is the same. Let me know what you go with.

 

Bringing this thread back to life...

So I installed my TRD springs and sway bars a couple months back and drove about 50+ miles a day with them before I purchased a TRD STRUT BAR. Found a good deal on the TRD Strut bar so I purchased and installed it last week...

IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. Overall front stability and turn-in sharpness is greatly increased. This car inspires more confidence in turns than my old STi with mods and the sticky stock tires.

The light weight wheels do help to though. I think the best way to improve handling by 5000% on the TC without purchasing sticky tires and destroying daily ride quality is TRD Springs, Swaybars, Strutbar, and light weight wheels. (Stock wheels weigh 26.5 lbs... finding lighter wheels arent difficult. lol)