Strut Tower Bar

WS6RedDragon · 10-10-2005, 03:52 PM

Any one have any good recomendations on a strut tower bar? I was thinking hotchkis or BMR. Also is it hard to install, I was thinking it would be like unbolting 4 bolts and re-bolting them back.

**Hurley711** · 10-10-2005, 03:53 PM

easy install, but not worth the $$$ if you ask me. Makes for a good bar to grip when working under the hood and not much else. If you are looking for better handling from the front end the $$$ is better spent on a 35mm FSB or some aftermarket HD shocks

**Eugenio_SS** · 10-10-2005, 07:44 PM

have to agree with Hurley.
you are right about it being unbolting/rebolting 4 bolts and that's it, though.

WS6RedDragon · 10-11-2005, 05:23 PM

I didnt think that it did that much for the car interms of suspension, I was mainly gona do it for looks under the car but I may just wait on it and put that money towards a cam swap or something.

**FMagarin** · 10-11-2005, 07:17 PM

I would check out SLP's Strut tower bar. It makes a big difference making the front suspension more rigid. I didn't think it would make that much difference but it's worth the money. You should also consider upgrading the rear suspension at the same time so that the suspension is balanced(panhard rod read sway bar and control arms).

**02z28ls1** · 10-14-2005, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by FMagarin

I would check out SLP's Strut tower bar. It makes a big difference making the front suspension more rigid. I didn't think it would make that much difference but it's worth the money. You should also consider upgrading the rear suspension at the same time so that the suspension is balanced(panhard rod read sway bar and control arms).

I agree-you can feel the difference. I went with LG Motorsports bar that connects to the cowl also-it does make for a much harder install.

**GatorSS** · 10-14-2005, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by 02z28ls1

I agree-you can feel the difference. I went with LG Motorsports bar that connects to the cowl also-it does make for a much harder install.

Pic?

snowhownd · 10-15-2005, 09:45 AM

If you haven't done Panhard and LCA's yet, I'd spend the money there first... that made a HUGE difference for me... you could REALLY feel it... I couldn't really feel much with the Strut Tower bar

**NeeD4SpeeD** · 10-18-2005, 06:36 AM

So your saying that spending $175 from BMR for their strut tower bar is too much

I would say that all strut bars are the same and do about the same amount of work reguardless if you spend $80 or $225 am i correct??

snowhownd · 10-18-2005, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by NeeD4SpeeD

So your saying that spending $175 from BMR for their strut tower bar is too much

I would say that all strut bars are the same and do about the same amount of work reguardless if you spend $80 or $225 am i correct??

I'd say take the posts above for what they are - opinions... I would venture to say that functionally they are all going to be very similar... although some who use the 3-point bars stated above they felt a big difference... I can't say as I've never tried one. The difference otherwise is going to be cosmetic I would think... which one comes in the color style that you like? Some may have a higher quality finish on them. Do you want all the same company's stuff on your car... or could you give a crap about having all the same? I can tell you I'd never spend $225 on something like a STB... but thats just me. I don't know what you have for mods already, but my list of basic mods from most important to least would be:
Shifter (N/A for you obviously)
Exhaust
Intake
SFC's
LCA's
Panhard
STB
Sway Bars

I don't know if that helps at all, but I wouldn't stress much about a STB until you have those other mods (maybe you already do) - some may cost more than a STB, but save your $$ on the STB and save a little longer for a much more beneficial mod IMHO (SFC's, etc).

WS6RedDragon · 10-18-2005, 05:25 PM

WS6 A4 LT headers, ORY, custom tune, slp intake, flowmaster, removed EGR, QTP cutout

The Rookie · 10-18-2005, 05:29 PM

Well I got my Hotchkis STB for 50 bucks from my neighbor when I lived in Dallas. Didn't know what it would do, but it did seem to stiffen the front up a bit. I recently put KYB AGX shocks on the car and it is a hell of a lot stiffer now.

snowhownd · 10-19-2005, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by WS6RedDragon

WS6 A4 LT headers, ORY, custom tune, slp intake, flowmaster, removed EGR, QTP cutout

Absolutely spend the next few hundred bucks on Subframe Connectors then... after you get them on you will wonder how and why you ever drove the car without them.

Then do LCA's and Panhard, they will make a big difference in planting the rear tires and getting straight again after a turn (while nailing the throttle of course!)... the combo of those three will make the car handle so much better... that's what I'd do anyways!!

xoxo · 11-05-2005, 07:17 AM

My car has all stock suspension, and the Aluminum Hotchkiss STB helped noticebly on some of my favorite corners. Word is that some things could help more, and if you do all the other upgrades, then adding one after won't do much because you're already past that point. My SFC's haven't helped because they're sitting on a shelf . That's my winter project.

**Frosty** · 11-05-2005, 08:15 PM

My STB from Spohn made a noticable difference.

WS6RedDragon · 11-06-2005, 10:53 AM

Im gona be getting 315s put on soon would it be better for me to get an adjustable panhard bar or a regular one. And if so how do the work?

**screamin chicken** · 11-07-2005, 05:03 AM

I have the Hotchkis did not seem to do much for me, but again I have the SLP LCA's, and Eibach Sportlines, and front and rear extreme Spohn Swaybars, I do like the BMR Extreme STB I may just buy that too....

**Bowtie Guy** · 11-14-2005, 08:30 AM

Just got a STB from Maryland Speed. They have great prices on SLP stuff and they ship fast! Getting SFCs next!

**DragonsPhyre** · 11-14-2005, 09:32 AM

STB from Spohn.. 4 bolts and washers.. I have since polished all my aluminum.. so this picture is a few weeks old.. updated photos of before and after to come in the next day or two.