now i know STBs dont make much of a difference for S2000, but which one is the stiffest? Cusco is known in the RX-7, Supra, and AE86 world to be strongest, and by design, it looks to be the stiffest out there for the S2000.

any thoughts?

 

The bolts on each end of the spanning bar allows motion around the bolts. I think the Comptech bar achieves more stiffness in its design. I felt improvement with the Comptech bar in place, as has cdelena, I seem to recall.

I think that the reason most people do not feel too much improvement with these bars is because most are of the Cusco design.

A full race 944 I saw at West End Alignment had a strut bar with no bolts or pivot points whatsoever; it seemed to be a 'homemade' bar welded to the platforms attached to the strut towers.

 

Get an X-brace, and skip the STB. An X-brace combined with the huge I beam in front of the engine will strengthen the chassis much better than an STB.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gernby
[B]Get an X-brace, and skip the STB.

 

thanks for the response, Prolene.

i know the X-brace is a better mod, but the question was "which is the stiffest STB out there"...not " STV or X-brace?"

 

Seeing as there is almost universal agreement that STB's on the S2000 are almost purely cosmetic, how could anyone compare the perceived "stiffness" of the bar, or for that matter care how stiff it really is?

By the way, I chose the Spoon STB. It looks nice in the engine compartment, along with my RM Racing injector cover. My two underhood vanity upgrades

 

You answered your own question. The STB is useless so stiffness is moot. You could use a wire coat hanger for all the difference it makes. I have the comptech bar and it makes a conveinient place to lean on when bending over the engine.

 

my roll actually make my car stiffer....

 

The STB aids in stiffening 3 axis of flex: torsional, lateral inward/outward, and lateral up/down (very little torsional and lateral up/down). It's primary usefulness is lateral inward flex under braking to reduce dynamic toe changes. Due to this, the "stiffness" really isn't a concern since torsional and lateral up/down movement is so trivial. However, like mentioned, the x-brake is placed at a much more efficient pickup location. I would argue with the notion that it is "useless". I believe it's performance advantage is just best exploited at the limits of the car. Engineers excuse my vernaular.

-- Chris

 

Your roll?