I'm thinking about getting a "Strut Bar" for my S2000 and am looking for some experienced feedback.
I'm really not interested in "pretty" stuff, if it goes on my car there has to be a functional reason.

Has anyone done any objective comparisons of having or not having this mod?

I use the car for both day to day driving as well as ocasional track use, so am interested in the performance over a wide range of usage.

Thanks Kevin

PS. I have a "Vortech" SC installation.

 

I have a Comptech Titanium Strut bar and a Spoon X Brace. My front feels tighter than cars that don't have these installed although i wouldn't say 40% stiffer or anything crazy like that (maybe 5-10%). I think the bigger change came with the X Brace and how the car handles bumps and railroad tracks.

 

The front strut bar is pretty much only good for use as an "icky bar". You can use it to hold onto and lean over the engine bay and your hands wont get "icky". I'm sure it helps some, but VERY little. It's mainly just to be pretty.

 

Since the S2000 doesn't have struts, and it has the huge H beam between the shock towers, "Shock Tower Bars" have minimal benefit. Although some S2000 track junkies do use them.

 

I noticed no improvement on how tight the car felt in turns with a STB, but I did notice a smoother ride going over pot holes, although it was minimal. I have since removed my STB to fit my aftercooler and do not notice that it's missing.

 

Get the X-brace first. The strut brace will do very little compaired to the X-brace. Keep the stock rear brace as it works very well, unless you want road kill to notice how good the replacement looks.

 

I couldn't feel a difference with the front stb, but the rear stb is a different story.

 

.

 

Didn't notice any difference with the STB, but I track my car, so I'll keep it on for the 1% difference it makes.

 

I just got an STB. I do not as yet have an X-brace (just ordered one). Installed the STB last night, and drove about 20 miles on the highway.

Things I noticed - butt dyno - not measured or quantified in any way.

1. Noticed more steering wheel feedback on undulating or uneven road surfaces

2. Front end felt more solid - kind of like it moved more as one piece then as an assembly of pieces

3. In fast sweeping turns car took a set and stayed. Didn't have to constantly correct

4. Pay attention - keep your hands still because it seems to exacerbate the "change lanes when sneezing" attribute of the car.

I have been told the x-brace is still the big hitter in stiffening the car, so I can't wait till mine comes in and I get it installed.