How to install a Rear Strut Bar?

[toicy4ya]

Sup guys,

I currently own a 99 eclipse spyder and am considering installing front and rear strut bars. My question is the following;
1. How difficult is it to install a rear strut bar?
2. Is it something I can do myself?
3. Is it worth installing? (are there any notable differences?)
4. Is there a write up or site that offers instructions on how to do this for our cars?

Thanks

[kjewer1]

If you look at the strut bar, and look at where it goes, you'll think back to this thread and probably laugh It really is that simple.

As far as it being worth, rear bars are always helpful in DSMs, fronts less so. In a convertible though, both are probably very worthwhile.

[showstopperz]

I may be wrong but you might not need a rear bar seeing that you have a spyder. If you look behind your carpet covered cardboard in the trunk you will see that a crossmember support brace is already there. It looks like a big X and it is tubular metal. So to me it seems like it would be pointless to install a strut bar in the rear unless you wanted it for looks? But then again with a strut bar in the rear would the top go down into the spot where it sits correctly?
Like I said I may be wrong I never tried this with my spider because as I see it, it would be pointless.

[kjewer1]

Those are good points. I've never seen what the back of the spyder looks like either.

[vanilla gorilla]

You can't put a rear strut tower bar in a Spyder. Trust me, I know. But you can in the front.

[toicy4ya]

Actually you guys are right... It does have a rear cross bar just behind the rear seat.

What about the front strut tower bar, do those really make a noticible difference in car handling?

[SilvrEclipse]

Front strut bars don't seem to help that much, but it wouldn't hurt to put one on anyways. Why are you trying to add all of these handling upgrades? Do you not like the way your car handles now?

[showstopperz]

Ha I finally made a point +1 for me !!!

[ned032002]

I like the way that a strut bar looks so to me weather it improves the handling or not I just like the way it looks.

[vanilla gorilla]

Well, here is another point for you: In Spyders it doesnt matter if the car does or doesn't really need a rear strut brace, because you can't put one on it anyway.

[NOFX0617]

Originally Posted by toicy4ya

Actually you guys are right... It does have a rear cross bar just behind the rear seat.

What about the front strut tower bar, do those really make a noticible difference in car handling?

The differance made with a front strut tower bar is not that noticeable. I dont know about the spyders but I think the normal GS and the RS models dont even have a rear sway bar. So that is something that I would look into....Sway bars are much better for handling than strut tower bars....not sure if that is what you are going for but hope it helps.

[SilvrEclipse]

The GS did come with a rear sway bar, the RS didn't. Even if you already have a sway bar changing it out for a bigger one is going to improve performance. I am going to change mine soon because my car understeers some.

[vanilla gorilla]

Spyder GS's did not come with a factory rear sway bar. To install one you have to also buy the factory mounting hardware.