now if you wanted a crazy stiff chassis for raod racing, i could see someone making something similar, but it would probably be a lot beefier, and it would only exist to tie the tops of that part of the frame together just as the fctory crossmember does at the bottom.

but then again, you could probaby benefit more from having your roll cage extend through the firewall and span the length fo the frame.

again, i dont get it.

 

A welded in roll cage would help more than a strut bar, and the roll cage would not need to go through the firewall.

 

All a strut bar is for, is for bling and something to lean on when you work on your car.

 

glagola and eg...I agree with you 100%.

First of all, anyone who knows anything about suspension, knows that a REAL strub tower brace cannot be installed without picking the car off the ground. Most of these STB can be put on by simply taking off the nuts, sliding on the STB and putting the nuts back on.

A real STB actually pulls the suspension in about a 16th of an inch or so, and wont let it go. You can actually feel the tires get "locked" in when you install these. After which you need an alignment. Ive installed a number of these on bmws, and they are real stb....they dont allow one side to move. there is no give.

People want them cause they want to make their motor bay look cool, but I definetely agree with you that unless they are welded on are like the ones I am talking about, they do absolutely nothing.

 

Quote:
A real STB actually pulls the suspension in about a 16th of an inch or so, and wont let it go. You can actually feel the tires get "locked" in when you install these. After which you need an alignment. Ive installed a number of these on bmws, and they are real stb....they dont allow one side to move. there is no give. (end quote)


Stupid question: While I agree that it makes engineering sense that a welded, fixed brace should be more beneficial than a bolt on and hinged brace, what is the purpose of deflecting the chassis/suspension 1/16th inch? Is this something specific to the S2000, where a geometry defficiency has been identified, or is this a blanket statemet? If it's a blanket statement, what is the purpose of intentionally modifying factory geometry via this method? No flame intended, just an honest question.

Mike

 

its not 1/16th...its a tiny bit that takes out all the slack from it. I used 1/16th as a small incrememt. Didnt mean it literally.

 

[QUOTE=glagola1,Sep 21 2005, 01:14 PM] ... for the S2000.

 

Someone with an x-brace beat him at an autocross.

 

I guess you missed it when I said "get a front swaybar"? That's the magic part of the equation. You get a more roll resistant ride with better transitioning characteristic and you get the benefit of wider front tires for braking.

Nobody with a brace has ever beaten me. This, I'm sure of. As soon as anybody becomes serious enough about auto-x they sell their braces and learn to drive.

The point of this thread was really just to vent/rant and to possibly help those who do think there is a value besides looks to a bar.

Yum.... pissy cornflakes.