strut tower bar

[Boogieman142]

Whats better for one aluminum or steel and how much of a difference will it be?

[turbovanman²]

Aluminium will be better, its lighter. As long as its rigid, doesn't matter what is used.

[Boogieman142]

ok, thanks. I just got one with shipping 22 dolla

[turbovanman²]

ok, thanks. I just got one with shipping 22 dolla


Good deal, :drum:

[Boogieman142]

and will that bend make any difference.

The one i got is ebay # 8070566057

[turbovanman²]

Nope!

[Garret]

but if you don't have a triangulation point you're not getting the full benifits of a strut tower bar, make another section that branches off to the firewall and connects to both strut towers. Then you'll have a solid bar

[GLHSKEN]

Look at Chris Still's (csracer) thread or post to se a great example of what Garret is talking about.. Awesome piece

http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4693

[GLHNSLHT2]

look closer Ken. Chris' strut bar ISN'T triangulated into the firewall. Nice bar though still and Steel is way better than aluminum. Square aluminum tubing is better than round by far but square steel tubing isn't much heavier. I have a set of old D&F bars for my GLH made out of round aluminum tubing. Even with them set as tight as I can get them they still flex. The square Steel tube rear brace in my ShelbyZ with the bolts not even tight won't flex at all.

[GLHSKEN]

LOL I realize that.. BUT, there are triangulation points for each strut. When it comes to strut bars, Chris is top notch

[GLHNSLHT2]

I agree it's stronger than most of the bars out there. But Garrett is talking about triangulating it into the firewall not just itself. Both strut towers now have to move together which is harder but they can still move. By triangulating it into the firewall they have a much harder time trying to move as the firewall is now restricting that movement as well. Chris puts a lot of time and energy into his work and the product looks great but the engineering level could be raised a bit and have some really awesome bracing.

[iTurbo]

I have an aluminum strut bar on my Shelby Lancer. The bar itself is nice, but I don't like the strut tower plates. Since my strut towers aren't completely flat on top, the cast aluminum plate will bust in half when you tighten it down. I managed to get it to sit a little flatter using a file on the plate, but I'm afraid to tighten them down to spec!

Where can one buy steel strut bar plates?

[GLHNSLHT2]

would love to be able to buy just the plates.

[Boogieman142]

if someone made some that are for our cars that can use a "universal" bar so that you don't have to redrill them,and you could just buy the plates.....

[Boogieman142]

so, where can chris's bars be had at? I see they are not on his site

[csracer]

so, where can chris's bars be had at? I see they are not on his site

I don't offer them because the front strut brace on my car is made to fit my camber plates and had to be custom fit and built on the car.

[GLHSKEN]

But the "regular" ones you offer are STOUT Pieces.

[Boogieman142]

just installed mine and it looks great

[Chris Faulk]

What did it take to make it fit? Re-drill any holes?

[91DSX]

What did it take to make it fit? Re-drill any holes?

Most adjustable strut bars for the 95-99 Dodge Neon work with only having to drill one or two holes, thats what I did for mine to fit. They are adjustable in almost every direction so only the plates need modification.

[Chris Faulk]

Most adjustable strut bars for the 95-99 Dodge Neon work with only having to drill one or two holes, thats what I did for mine to fit. They are adjustable in almost every direction so only the plates need modification.

Sounds good...I will start looking for one of those strut bars. :thumb:

[JMotorsprt]

One of these would fit on a GLH?

[mpgmike]

Here is an alternative. I've made 3 so far.
http://fueleconomytips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=2

Mike

[Johnny]

The thin wall alumnum (read cheap) strut bars flex to much to do any good. Make sure it is thick wall aluminum or use steel for the cross brace.

Johnny
http://polybushings.com

[JMotorsprt]

Johnny. Is there something you make in this arena? Answer me with PM if necessary.

Jason

[Chris Faulk]

Johnny. Is there something you make in this arena? Answer me with PM if necessary.

Jason

Not that I've ever seen (maybe someday?), but Turbos Unleashed does make one at a good price.

http://turbosunleashed.com/shop/index.php?cPath=122

[Wes85L]

Chris, I believe that is the same one Cindy sells with the cast endplates. I'd go to a machine shop and have some nice endplates custom made or better yet a complete assembly. Forward Motion makes a strut bar but I don't think I've seen any of them installed or any comments on them.

I'm pretty sure most bars will not work on L-bodies because of the drip pan. Also, the bars may not work regardless of the car if you have a 2-piece intake though I'm not 100% sure on that.

[Boogieman142]

What did it take to make it fit? Re-drill any holes?


I had to re-drill all 3 holes on mine to make it fit the way i wanted it to.

[JMotorsprt]

If Cindy had something I would order there. I just don't trust TU enough to even look to see what they have available. I will have to check with Cindy.

[Chris W]

If Cindy had something I would order there. I just don't trust TU enough to even look to see what they have available. I will have to check with Cindy.


We share the same vendor which means it is the identical product.

Chris-TU

[Chris Faulk]

We share the same vendor which means it is the identical product.

Chris-TU

Are the end plates cast?

[Chris W]

Are the end plates cast?

Yes, the end plates are cast.

Chris-TU

[Chris Faulk]

Yes, the end plates are cast.

Chris-TU

Mind posting in public what the coating fee is? And what colors it can be coated... :thumb:

Thanks man! :D

[Chris Faulk]

Chris, I believe that is the same one Cindy sells with the cast endplates. I'd go to a machine shop and have some nice endplates custom made or better yet a complete assembly. Forward Motion makes a strut bar but I don't think I've seen any of them installed or any comments on them.

I'm pretty sure most bars will not work on L-bodies because of the drip pan. Also, the bars may not work regardless of the car if you have a 2-piece intake though I'm not 100% sure on that.

http://www.forwardmotioninc.com/html/catalog/suspension.htm

You are correct sir, but ouchy on the price. High-end but ouchy! :o

[speedyshelby]

I like mine that I got. It made of steel and off a buick. I just made new end plates from 1/8 plate steel bent it and welded it to the buick mounts. Works great. I don't have drip pan anymore either but this one clear the hood just fine.

Btw this and old photo when I had it painted sliver.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/339000-339999/339160_222_full.jpg

[iTurbo]

I am unhappy with my Anders strut bar, which came from FWDP (same as TU). The cast end plates are very brittle and they will crack in half if you try to tighten them down to spec if your strut towers are not completely flat on top. Nice design, but cast aluminum plates don't cut it.

[Boogieman142]

i like mine

[iTurbo]

! This is actually the second Anders product I have bought. The first was a solid bobble strut and that busted in half too!