Is a strut tower bar worth it?

[JBones81]

Couldnt find much good info on this part for the latest model WRXs...

Id like to do just a few things to the suspension. Was thinking of swaybars and endlinks, and the strut tower bar. Is the front bar worth doing? It's under $200 and supposedly a very simple install, so I'm very tempted. But, if it's just a waste of money, please let me know!

Thanks,

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[ronnieallor]

Yes definitely worth it you will tell the in your handling for Sure

[vision.dynamix]

The front strut tower bar doesnt do anything but make your wallet lighter.

[gmhracer]

Unabomber's - "Strut Bars

Sometimes referred to as strut tower bars.

The technical reason strut bars are desired is that vertical loads from the wheel pass through the strut and spring up to the strut top and towers, which leads to flex in the sheet metal around the strut tower and inner guard. Chassis flex is not conducive to firm response in a vehicle. Installation of a strut bar between the front and/or rear strut towers eliminates this flex. The result is faster and firmer response to steering inputs. Most users report this to be a very minor suspension modification ranked further down on the suspension modification path. On the other hand, the proliferation of inexpensive replica/eBay bars and aesthetically pleasing strut bars make this a common modification.

Wagon owners: Whiteline makes a specific rear strut bar with a quick release coupling that allows easy removal for times when you want to utilize the extra space that folding down the rear seats provides.

Whiteline article on strut bars

Strut bar manufacturers:

Though too numerous to fully list, here are the major manufacturers:
eBay
STi
Cusco
Whiteline"

[luvless2620]

Originally Posted by ronnieallor

Yes definitely worth it you will tell the in your handling for Sure

-1

Its a waste of money as strut bars are more cosmetic than functional but if you find a used one at a good price, then it can't hurt any to get one to complete your engine bay.

[imprezafreak3]

Originally Posted by vision.dynamix

The front strut tower bar doesnt do anything but make your wallet lighter.

^^ This

[pezcore]

what other car parts does ebay make?

[Unabomber]

I have one. It cost me $0, so it was well worth the price I paid. Was pink, then I rattle canned it black. If it costs under $50 get it if you like the look, if over $50, then no. Unless you have a wagon and you are talking about the rear one, then get one, but only if you REALLY need it as in you autocross. Then the only one worth a hoot is the Whiteline one with quick disconnect fittings so you can remove it with no tools when you are hauling 4x4 fence posts.

[HinshawWRX]

Front no, rear kinda.

Simply a strut tower bar is designed for old school cars where the strut towers are located forward in the engine compartment vs. most unibody cars where they are directly mounted to the firewall. (The firewall is the most rigid part of the body, a cheap bar won't help anything) The "cool" thing in the tuner world is to get one and say it helps.

Pro tip: Go to ebay and get the cheapest one you can find. Put it on (if it fits), post in the appropriate thread complaining about Ebay parts in the GENERAL COMMUNITY, and enjoy your cheap bling.

[JBones81]

ok, so seems like my money is better spent elsewhere...swaybars?

[HinshawWRX]

Sway bars are the single best thing you can do (money wise) to improve a car's handling.

[Unabomber]

I'm gonna trump my fellow mod and go with tires as the best handling mod. He's still a youngster and doesn't know better

[Mr Wrex]

strut bars are probably the last thing that should be upgraded. even then, the front one is mostly eye candy... the rear one helps wagon/hatch subies more than the sedan models. you seem to be set on sways and endlinks, which is good. I'd suggest getting those first, drive it around a bit, then decide from there if you need to upgrade your suspension or not.

[JBones81]

Yes, tires are huge...but will cost me a grand, and the stockers only have 4k on em...Hard to justify that switch!

Suggestions for swaybars/endlinks?

[Mr Wrex]

whiteline 24f/22r, kartboy endlinks. you might want to drive around with some locals to see which size sways you want though

[JBones81]

i don't auto x the car or even drag race...Its my daily, that I just toss around as desired. So nothing too crazy. I just want something that I'll notice when I'm hitting a familiar off ramp, etc.

[daseca07]

strut bars used to be a cool thing to do. thought that trend died off. I would just do sways and endlinks as a start.

[bobby17772]

I noticed strut bars do help a little bit, but not night and day. but like others said sway bars is where it's at

[cmiovino]

I had the steel adjustable ones from eBay on my old GF wagon. Made a world of difference on the rear of the wagon. The front you could feel too.

With that experience, I ordered the aluminum eBay ones that have the pink ends from eBay for my WRX. Completely garbage. Didn't fit at all... plus the metal was super light and bendable. fought with the company and got my $50 back for both, no return shipping costs to me.

Do not pay $200, $300, etc for Cusco, Whiteline, etc. It's a name brand thing. I really with they had nice steel ones for the WRX that didn't cost an arm and leg.

Raceland does have a front one for about $60 that looks very nice and sturdy. It does not have the hinges like the junk eBay ones. VW guys love them and the pics look legit. Someone from NASIOC needs to get this and test it out. I'd trust Raceland for this... but their coilovers... eh, probably not. $60-70 is justifiable. $300 is not.

P.S. Swaybars rock and are much better.