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Hi, I am looking for a strut tower bar and have narrowed my options down between Spoon Sports and J's racing. The J's racing offers a engine torque dampener, which has caught my attention. Although it is a bit pricer than spoon, I wanted to know anyone's thoughts on this dampener, and if it is worth the extra money, or would spoon just be the better option. Anyone who has experience with either item, any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I have pasted the links below if anyone wants to check it out and give their own opinion. Thanks!
Zero benefit on this car. We don't have struts, we have actual upper control arms. So load goes into frame differently. The bracing does nothing except lighten wallet, and act as arm rest when working on engine.
Some like the aesthetics. Even if I didn't think they looked stupid, I wouldn't pay that much for looks.
What CA wrote: Consensus here notes they do nothing for the car other than a place to lean on when checking the oil. Before I knew better I fitted one within in days of buying the car and it "looks good" under the hood. Fitted the K&N FIPK the same week but at least that may add 1 or 2 horsepower.
Hi, I am looking for a strut tower bar and have narrowed my options down between Spoon Sports and J's racing. The J's racing offers a engine torque dampener, which has caught my attention. Although it is a bit pricer than spoon, I wanted to know anyone's thoughts on this dampener, and if it is worth the extra money, or would spoon just be the better option. Anyone who has experience with either item, any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I have pasted the links below if anyone wants to check it out and give their own opinion. Thanks!
A strut bar is not a super effective mod on this car, but if you think it looks good, why not go for it?
I don't like engine torque dampers because they attach to a small little solid point on the engine head. If you get into an accident that jostles the motor hard enough, it can break engine mounts. So...what's it doing to that little cast mounting point on the head?
Probably reasons why this car (or virtually any car) hasn't come with one from the factory.
I don't like engine torque dampers because they attach to a small little solid point on the engine head. If you get into an accident that jostles the motor hard enough, it can break engine mounts. So...what's it doing to that little cast mounting point on the head?
Probably reasons why this car (or virtually any car) hasn't come with one from the factory.
You just gave me a reason to remove mine. Pretty sure I can get some good money for it - it's the discontinued Ingalls torque dampener. Initially installed it to pro-long the life of my engine mounts.
I didn't know it had zero benefit on this car, but it makes sense from an experience POV. After getting used to the driving dynamics, I never felt like the chassis needed to be stiffer or felt loose. I think the high X-frame design and double wishbone make a fantastically solid and responsive setup. For other non-sports cars, typically the strut tower brace added a lot of chassis rigidity up front.
I'd suggest the ASM GT Tower Bar, that bar also mounts to the rear of the steering rack and makes a noticeable improvement in steering feel. Although it is pricey I would recommend it over any of the other options. I have that bar and the CR front steering rack brace and my steering feels way tighter than any of my friends S2Ks.
You just gave me a reason to remove mine. Pretty sure I can get some good money for it - it's the discontinued Ingalls torque dampener. Initially installed it to pro-long the life of my engine mounts.
PM me if you decide to sell it.
Last edited by AngryTurtle; Jan 5, 2024 at 08:55 AM.
Reason: Not a FS thread.
Strut Tower Bar Recommendations
Fitted the K&N FIPK the same week but at least that may add 1 or 2 horsepower.
