what does a Strut bar do?
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,353
From: Holding the detonator
well actually, a strut bar ties the struts together to stop the strut towers from flexing durring hard cornering. Sway bars are actually anti-sway bars. They tie the left and right sides of the suspension together to reduce body roll.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Irving, TX
i have a pet peeve with strut bars. i haven't seen a tC in person since they aren't out in dallas yet but from the pics, the strut towers look like they are built close to the firewall. if that's the case, a strut bar is NOT going to give you any noticeably better handling. They are nothing more than a bar to lean on when your working on your car. Now if you have something like a fox body or an old 280Z, then yeah, a stut bar would be worth the money since the strut towers are located so far away from the firewall.
my $0.02.
my $0.02.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Dallas, TX
Originally Posted by 05 Flint tC
i have a pet peeve with strut bars. i haven't seen a tC in person since they aren't out in dallas yet but from the pics, the strut towers look like they are built close to the firewall. if that's the case, a strut bar is NOT going to give you any noticeably better handling. They are nothing more than a bar to lean on when your working on your car. Now if you have something like a fox body or an old 280Z, then yeah, a stut bar would be worth the money since the strut towers are located so far away from the firewall.
my $0.02.
my $0.02.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Orlando, FL
Originally Posted by randode
well actually, a strut bar ties the struts together to stop the strut towers from flexing durring hard cornering. Sway bars are actually anti-sway bars. They tie the left and right sides of the suspension together to reduce body roll.
, not you) in hard turns, but does not reduce body roll. sway bars connect one side of the wheel then to the chassis then to the other side of the wheel distributing the weight almost evenly to both wheels instead of only the outside wheel in a hard corner. which gives it more balance and thus less body roll. as for my civic, i have front and rear strut bars, and front and rear tie bars. they did ok by themselves. i did notice better steering response. i have a 92 civic dx. didnt come with factory sways...
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From: Orlando, FL
Originally Posted by 05 Flint tC
just stating my opinion on strut bars when they are located so close to the firewall. i bet some of you guys would notice a difference in 2-3whp on the butt dyno huh? 
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From: McGeorge Scion (VA)
pic of Hotchkis strut brace
Reduce chassis flex on your Scion tC with the Hotchkis Tuning strut brace.
The Scion Hotchkis Performance three-piece brace rigidly links the top mounting points of the two front MacPherson strut towers. The extruded brace has a brushed aluminum finish.
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Scion Evolution
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 340
From: San Diego, CA
Ok, I've gotta ask... I just picked up my xA and the question is: do brands matter? Obviously, the material/style are important, but has anyone had any luck with any particular brand? I'm looking at something around $100, so possibly the JIC Type-I or ScionFx....
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Detroit Metro area
Originally Posted by jlaznlover
yup, the strut bar reduce body flex(as in the car , not you) in hard turns, but does not reduce body roll. sway bars connect one side of the wheel then to the chassis then to the other side of the wheel distributing the weight almost evenly to both wheels instead of only the outside wheel in a hard corner. which gives it more balance and thus less body roll.
as for my civic, i have front and rear strut bars, and front and rear tie bars. they did ok by themselves. i did notice better steering response. i have a 92 civic dx. didnt come with factory sways...
, not you) in hard turns, but does not reduce body roll. sway bars connect one side of the wheel then to the chassis then to the other side of the wheel distributing the weight almost evenly to both wheels instead of only the outside wheel in a hard corner. which gives it more balance and thus less body roll. as for my civic, i have front and rear strut bars, and front and rear tie bars. they did ok by themselves. i did notice better steering response. i have a 92 civic dx. didnt come with factory sways...
BTW not recommended for pizza delivery drivers...
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Orlando, FL
^^ yeah, the chassis should flex a tiny bit towards the center of the car when you lift the front wheels up(if i am correct) so it might be a little bit easier if the strut bar you are installing is nonadjustable.
hehe, i am not very good at all at explaining details...
and the adjustable sway bars?? i think you are refering to BMW. correct? man, they make some good stuff
hehe, i am not very good at all at explaining details...
and the adjustable sway bars?? i think you are refering to BMW. correct? man, they make some good stuff