Strut Bar

[Shane55113]

Originally Posted by Jakey

Was all the weight of your car on the frame rails when you installed it? I installed mine on my Laser simply because I was sick of it laying around the garage. When I get around to installing it correctly, I will put my car on a lift.

I don't understand what you mean? How would it be different if you installed it on a lift instead of on the ground? As long as its standing still there is no load on the top of the strut towers, so if anything it would be better to keep it off a lift.

Just to chime in here, if you want a strut tower bar that would work really well just look at the stock one from the Eclipse GT, it connects to both strut towers and to the fire wall. That is a good design.

[Jakey]

Originally Posted by Shane55113

I don't understand what you mean? How would it be different if you installed it on a lift instead of on the ground? As long as its standing still there is no load on the top of the strut towers, so if anything it would be better to keep it off a lift.

False. When your car is on the ground with the suspension loaded, the weight of the vehicle is placing an upward bending moment on the entire chasis of the vehicle resulting in chasis flex. With the car on a lift, the weight of the suspension will place a downward bending moment on the chasis but this is much less significant that the entire weight of the vehicle. So, to compensate for the upward bending moment cause by the weight of the vehicle, the proper way to install a strut tower bar is with the car supported by the frame only. Ideally, one would install strut bars with the suspension, brakes, and wheels removed but generally that's not realistic.

[Jakey]

Originally Posted by Shane55113

Just to chime in here, if you want a strut tower bar that would work really well just look at the stock one from the Eclipse GT, it connects to both strut towers and to the fire wall. That is a good design.

I agree. If I ever get around to it I'm going to design a strut tower bar that links the struts and the struts to the firewall. Check out the 1993 Archer Racing Talon:


More information about the car:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222227