Strut Tower Bars (reality check, please)

[T38]

Please excuse this complete newbie, but...

I have a '92 NT FWD, and was looking to add strut tower bars, as I've read that's one of the best bang-for-the-buck mods you can do on DSMs. I've always enjoyed building things, so I was wondering....the bars themselves appear to be structurally simple. Has anyone built strut tower bars themselves? Is there something more complicated to strut tower bars than a sufficiently strong and stiff tube mounted to the towers that I am missing?

Granted, they are not terribly expensive to buy, and RRE/Ractive/etc. probably build better looking bars than I could, but like I said, I enjoy building.

Thanks for the feedback!

--Mike

[AmericanEagle]

You could build your own, but it may be more exspensive unless you use junkyard steel and have your own welder. The only design that i truly think is worth the money would be the stock support for the EVO VIII or other examples like it. It's supported and braced in the middle, if your going to pay the bucks why not get the most ridgid support possible.

[BoostedSpyder]

i'm sure it would be a nice project, you would probly be better off buying one. use your building skills to piece together a custom exaust.

[rambur]

Look on ebay. There are LOTS of STB's on there going for ~$25 including shipping.

[T38]

Ahhh....E-bay good idea.

Okay, I just bought a Legend Racing front STB for my car. Anyone ever use these? Are they pretty good or did I just waste my money (not that I'm too concerned considering how little they cost--worst case, I'll use it as a model to build my own)

thanks, again!

--Mike

[rambur]

Originally Posted by T38

Ahhh....E-bay good idea.

Okay, I just bought a Legend Racing front STB for my car. Anyone ever use these? Are they pretty good or did I just waste my money (not that I'm too concerned considering how little they cost--worst case, I'll use it as a model to build my own)

thanks, again!

--Mike

I don't have a STB on my DSM yet. Please let us know how it works when you get it. I'm going to be getting one in the near future. Engine mods are almost done (for a while) so I need some things to help it stop and turn better now.

[duckydsp]

I got some no name strut bars on my car and the handling can't get any better!

[kjewer1]

On a 2g, I wouldnt waste money on a front bar. On a 1g I would do it. I think I explain why in a recent thread. On either car though, I would do a rear bar. That will make 10 times more difference than a front bar just because of hte general structure of the DSM chassis.

[T38]

I'm looking for a rear STB now...they just seem harder to find than a front bar for a 1G, unless you want to pay $$$$.

[kjewer1]

Often times the cheap bars are too weak and poorly designed to even add a noticeable amount of rigidity to the chassis. In my case I've held on on buying the bars for years, since the rear bar will be "included" in my 800-1000 dollar roll cage It really is that important, if you want to stiffen up the chassis. In my case it will not only help the car launch, but when I try my hand at road racing (perhaps this coming season) it will be indispensable.

[T38]

Front STB arrived and is installed (piece of cake!).

Unfortunately, it's icy this time of year in Anchorage, so I can't see if it made any difference for a while

[duckydsp]

Originally Posted by T38

Front STB arrived and is installed (piece of cake!).

Unfortunately, it's icy this time of year in Anchorage, so I can't see if it made any difference for a while

There is a difference. When I got my front one on, I felt a noticable difference for the better. Then it started to get icy in CT and it's kind of like the way it was before. But I'm sure it isn't as icy as Alaska.