[2Point5RS]

Which one is the "bang for the buck" mod?? Sway or strut? People use these so freely and often get them confused, so I have no idea which one they're talking about. Maybe I have them confused?

 

[10th Warrior]

rear sway bar (aka anti-sway bar aka anti-roll bar aka roll bar). it is the thing that links your rear suspention laterally (side to side). when you turn, it twists and provides resistance. the thicker the bar, the more resistance, which means you can get rid of alot of understeer and provoke oversteer. overall, it makes the car handle much more neutral. a strut tower bar is a bar that connects the tops of the struts to one another. this decreases strut defflection and increases the torsional rigidity of the chassis. this will improve handling, but to a smaller degree than a thicker rear sway bar (due to several reasons, including the puny 13mm stock rear sway bar). however, the best bang for the buck mod to any car is tires

 

[spshultz]

First mod to my car was the sway bar. Definitely a great bang for the buck. Next up would be tires if you haven't gotten rid of the RE92's yet.

 

[2Point5RS]

Some people say the strut bar is the 'bang for the buck' and others say the sway bar is.. I just bought a cusco sway bar, so I'm glad I got what I needed. Thanks fellas.

 

[2Point5RS]

Well.. I just installed the sway and DAMN, what a difference. I feel like an idiot for waiting so long to this mod!

 

[Siper2]

You're not an idiot.

Next up, if you can afford them, get tires. If not, visit Tom and Mark Deadrick at www.kartboy.com and get a short shifter.

That you will NEVER regret.

 

[GarMan]

In terms of strut tower bars, which gives the biggest bang for the buck? Front for rear? I know most people install the front because you can show it off, but I remember hearing that the car can use a rear bar more than a front. Any thoughts?

 

[Siper2]

Dunno. The rear certainly benefits from SWAY bars more than the front does, but... I'm not sure about the tower bar. So I won't comment for sure, on that one.

I bought a front and rear set of Whiteline tower bars, but couldn't install the rear one... I had a brain fart and forgot that my stereo setup in the rear prohibits access to the strut tops, from the trunk. You can get at them only by taking out the rear seat. It's a custom enclosure, everything's fiberglassed in.

D'oh. :happynow:

-S2-

 

[landcruiser]

The front strut bar may or may not do anything on our cars. Because the front struts are mounted so close to the firewall (behind which is a large bar connecting the two sides of the frame), a front strut bar doesn't really accomplish much. However, some people say they notice a difference. And when I can afford one, I'll get one for the looks if nothing else.

The rear strut bar will have a difference because the only thing really bracing the rear strut topss against each other is the rear seat (foam and wood) and the the rear deck (which is rather thin too). It has a minimal effect on understeer beacause most of the force from one wheel to the other is transfered by the sway bar, (which is what actually affects traction.) However, the strut bar will help the chasis stay more composed under hard cornering, therefor, reducing body-roll and suspension bounce.

Basically, my plan is to get a rear tower bar after i get in my springs and strut tops (already have sway bar, endlinks, ALK, struts, and tires). And I'll get a front bar when I have some extra money floating around (yeah... right).

kevin

 

[2Point5RS]

So what if if you had a rear sway bar and rear strut bar installed?? Would you have a hard time keeping it straight?

 

[sarasube]

buying an 18 mm rear swaybar from a fellow i-clubber.
how much difference is there with endlinks and AlK?
and the sway bar install, any improvement with rear
strut brace ? any info is appreciated. new to rs25 site.

 

[Peaty]

I'd put them in this order. Rear Sway bar - 18mm if you aren't going to upgrade the suspenson and 20mm if you are. Some solid drop links too would be nice to make it come into play sooner. Rear strut bar next. If you upgrade the suspension then maybe a front strut tower bar.

Rear Sway bar

Solid End Links:

If you get the solid rear links the front link inserts are nice too:

Rear strut tower bar:

Front Strut tower bar:

And if you are feeling silly a lower arm bar:

 

[sarasube]

thanks Peaty,
slowly, but surely. hopefully after the rear sway bar,
SPT(eibach springs) and kyb agx struts. looking for minimal
drop and slight increase in handling. hopefully this is a good
direction for a small budget. constructive criticism or comments
are always welcome.

thanks all.

 

[ILPRocky]

As far as bang for the buck. I don't think the sway or strut bar is the best idea. I know it's a cheap mod. But so are door sills (sarcastic). Look, the sway bars control understeer and oversteer. Yes it is an improvement if there is a problem. Struts and tires are the best first upgrade to a suspension(period). Struts control your springs and keep your tires on the ground. Therefore, you go faster. Agx's are not the answer if you use aftermarket springs. It's a harsh bouncy ride because they are weak. Koni's are the best before you go to a adjustable coilover setup. Yes they are alot more money. But you get what you pay for.

Rocky

 

[obsidian]

Just thought I'd chime in with my first mods that I got about a month ago:

- Front sway bar 22mm
- Adj rear sway bar 22-24mm (endlinks, endmount)
- Anti-lift kit

== :biggest:

The difference is amazing!! I can do amazingly tight turns with no body roll whatsoever. It's a different car now!

Next on my list is:

- apex coilovers
- wheels/TIRES!!

Which I will also do at the same time. The new turnability of my car shows off the need for new tires, whereas they seemed fine before. Now the tires are the weak point, so while the body of the car has no problem turning, the tires give out way to easily. It's almost frightening how easy it is to squeel the tires around a turn now

Probably get a strut tower brace later on, too. And that should be about it for handling mods *crosses fingers*

Then onto power...... :biggest:

 

[sarasube]

yo rocky,
thanks for the insight. I'm on a limited budget and nothing
too outrageous for suspension. so minimal drop, hopefully
with spt(eibach) springs. now for the struts, if kyb's are
bouncy, then any other struts within the price range. If not
then how much are the konis?

thanks guys.