Strut Bar Opinions

[Marty Rogan]

I am considering putting strut bars on my '70. MSA's front strut bar is priced at $110. I had one of those on my '71 and thought it worked ok. They also list a Cusco strut bar for $215.

Has anybody had experience with the Cusco bar? Do they work any better than the MSA bar to justify the extra $100??

Thanks,

Marty

[siteunseen]

Sorry I couldn't find the thread on those. Seems like LeonV talked about one.

Edited April 12, 2013 by siteunseen

[LeonV]

Plain, straight strut bars are next to useless, if you're concerned about performance. Triangulated bars that connect to the firewall can actually be effective. I believe TEP sells one and there was a recent thread where a forum member detailed how they built their own.

If you're racing, check the rulebook on whether they allow triangulated bars for your class.

TEP Bar: Nissan Page

[surfer.tech]

I have the rear Cusco bar and I like it. Cusco does their R&D on their products over MSA.

Cusco bars look a lot nicer as well.

[grannyknot]

Top End 240Z Front and Rear Ultimate Strut Tower Braces | eBay

This one is worth a look

OOPS. just realized this one is the same as Leons

Edited April 13, 2013 by grannyknot

[Marty Rogan]

The Top End brace looks like a nice piece. I agree that the triangular brace would work much better.

The installation directions are not real clear, and the don't show a picture on how it is attached at the fire wall. Are they talking about drilling through the hood channel, right next to the weather stripping? Seems like that area would not be very strong. Anyone have pictures of an installed one, that shows that connection?

[CW240Z]

Get you a set of 90-95 Civic strut bars for around $30 on eBay. They require drilling out one of the 3 holes on the strut brace only (Not strut tower). You have more options in the Honda world, and for a fraction of the cost they'll look nice and provide the support.

Chase

[Jeff G 78]

Chase, do you have a link to the ebay Honda bar? It looks like there are many different styles and contours. Which style fits the S30?

[CW240Z]

Jeff,

The brace I've personally dealt with was one of this style:

JDM Civic CR x Del Sol Integra Front Upper Strut Bar Tower Brace | eBay

Here is a photo of the brace on a s30. Sorry for the poor quality.

This works for both front and back strut towers on the s30. A very cheap alternative, that did help out with minor body flex.

Chase.

[CW240Z]

You could probably use a number of different styles of braces that work for the Civic. As long as you have the correct bolt pattern and the bar has some bend in it to clear the valve cover, it's basically a matter of personal tastes of style.

Hope this helps

Chase

[Marty Rogan]

Jeff,

The brace I've personally dealt with was one of this style:

JDM Civic CR x Del Sol Integra Front Upper Strut Bar Tower Brace | eBay

Here is a photo of the brace on a s30. Sorry for the poor quality.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]62643[/ATTACH]

This works for both front and back strut towers on the s30. A very cheap alternative, that did help out with minor body flex.

Chase.

Thanks for sending this. It looks at least equal to the MSA Strut Bar.

[mlc240z]

Bought and installed front and rear from MSA. Easy install, decent fit and does stiffen the ride.

Definitely feels tighter, but then I don't track, just weekend driver. For the money, they work for me.

If you're running track days, then I can see the advantage of the triangulated bars.