Notices
Series I Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension

Benefit of 4 Point Front Strut Tower Bar

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 09-24-2006, 06:42 AM
  #1  
Hmmmmmm.........
Thread Starter
 
auzoom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 3,564
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Benefit of 4 Point Front Strut Tower Bar

I am looking at getting a front strut tower bar, either the Mazdaspeed or Auto Exe but am confused as to what benefit the 4 point ones provides over the 2 point ones. I can only think that the 4 Point one provides some front-to-rear stability, I just cant imagine it would be much.

Cheers

Andrew

Mazdaspeed 4 Point
Auto Exe 4 Point

Mazdaspeed 2 Point
Auto Exe 2 Point
Old 09-24-2006, 07:49 AM
  #2  
Registered
iTrader: (4)
 
alnielsen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Buddhist Monastery, High Himalaya Mtns. of Tibet
Posts: 12,255
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
The 4 point provides more bracing to keep the shock towers from moving side to side by creating another attach point to the firewall. I installed this type of system on my first gen RX7.

Some bars have bracing for your master brake cylinder. Make sure this is setup for your right hand drive car.

On the other hand, I'm not sure that this is neccessary on the RX8. We don't have a MacPhearson strut suspension. We have an unequeal length A arm suspension. There is less stress to the towers generated. I am of the opinion that anything more than what is stock on the car is unneccessary. This mod would be for show. It will be one of the last that I make on my car, if at all.
Old 09-24-2006, 08:23 AM
  #3  
Hmmmmmm.........
Thread Starter
 
auzoom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 3,564
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
If I understand you, you are saying that the 4 point bars are not to brace additional movements, ie nose to tail flex, but to distribute the stresses on the strut towers caused by sidetower-to-tower flex (excuse my made up terminology).

Cheers

Andrew
Old 09-24-2006, 08:50 AM
  #4  
New Member
 
takahashi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 9,944
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
How about tortional (shear) forces when engaging hard cornering like on track?

I thought the advantage of 4 point strut bar is to put some force of the strut to the firewall so it makes the front struture stronger. It may not be necessary but anything helps.

Not getting too far ahead but what about the under member brace? I am sure it helps. I am tempted to get the few bars mounted where the shinka has... but it will mean stripping the car apart

BTW I could feel the increase braking pedal strength when the cylinder and the firewall "stiffened" by the MazdaSpeed 4 point strut with cylinder extension. It really really helps (and I am not lying).
Old 09-24-2006, 01:46 PM
  #5  
Registered
iTrader: (4)
 
alnielsen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Buddhist Monastery, High Himalaya Mtns. of Tibet
Posts: 12,255
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
The 4 point MS bar is not available in the US. The 2 point is available and I hear the brake brace works well. I believe that in the other 4 point aftermarket bars, the brake brace is setup for your right hand drive cars.
Old 09-24-2006, 07:21 PM
  #6  
I don't buy Kool-Aid
 
DOMINION's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Vegas Baby!
Posts: 8,823
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Thumbs up

Originally Posted by takahashi
How about tortional (shear) forces when engaging hard cornering like on track?

I thought the advantage of 4 point strut bar is to put some force of the strut to the firewall so it makes the front struture stronger. It may not be necessary but anything helps.

Not getting too far ahead but what about the under member brace? I am sure it helps. I am tempted to get the few bars mounted where the shinka has... but it will mean stripping the car apart

BTW I could feel the increase braking pedal strength when the cylinder and the firewall "stiffened" by the MazdaSpeed 4 point strut with cylinder extension. It really really helps (and I am not lying).
I'm doing the ms under brace front & back and front & back struts.
Old 09-25-2006, 03:23 AM
  #7  
New Member
 
takahashi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 9,944
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by DOMINION
I'm doing the ms under brace front & back and front & back struts.
Good on you. .
Old 09-26-2006, 04:33 AM
  #8  
Registered User
 
Fanman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Glendale, CA
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Negative is that a 4 point brace transmits a little more of the vibration into the cabin.
Old 09-26-2006, 05:44 AM
  #9  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
BoosTED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Fanman
Negative is that a 4 point brace transmits a little more of the vibration into the cabin.
That is true Fanman.



I have the Aluminum 4-point strut tower brace Revolution Motoring Communications. It only lacks the master cylinder brace, which will be remedied eventually...

I noticed the majority of difference when making turns. It feels tighter, more confidence in turns. When fray test drove my car he asked if I did sway bars because the steering seemed more responsive. (stock sways still)

I do hear a slight bit more noise from the road but it is hard to tell how much more. (high flow cat...)

The rear strut brace helps too.

Old 09-26-2006, 06:28 AM
  #10  
Hmmmmmm.........
Thread Starter
 
auzoom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 3,564
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Yep makes sense.

Where did you get that bar 4?
Old 09-26-2006, 07:27 AM
  #11  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
BoosTED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
A Guy that sold his 8 back in December of '05...

He had it imported from Japan and for all the times I have attempted to find where to get it I can't... quite a few people have asked where I got it.
Said he paid $480 for it plus shipping...

It may be the only one in the U.S.

Anyone else have this strut brace?
Old 09-26-2006, 07:40 AM
  #12  
Hmmmmmm.........
Thread Starter
 
auzoom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 3,564
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Hmmm I did a quick Google and the best I could find was a guy who was trying to sell one on eBay December last year.
Old 09-26-2006, 07:48 AM
  #13  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
BoosTED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts


I found that too. .. . ...

Someone on here?
Old 09-26-2006, 08:14 AM
  #14  
Rotary baby!
 
tpodowd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Tokyo - Japan
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Revolution have 2; one Aluminium and the other titanium. The titaniam is expensive ~1250 Austrialian big ones. The Aluminium sells for ~500. That's the equivalent of the Japanese price... I saw 2 Revolution demo cars on Sunday at Super Autobacs. Looked great. Lots of blue and metal under the bonet.

I picked up a new Autoexe sports tunable suspension for myself :D They had to cut out a piece on both sides of the stock strut tower bar for the adjustors so I'm looking at strut tower bars/braces now too as they may have weakened it to stock one???

Tom.
Attached Thumbnails Benefit of 4 Point Front Strut Tower Bar-revolution.jpg  
Old 09-26-2006, 08:16 AM
  #15  
Hmmmmmm.........
Thread Starter
 
auzoom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 3,564
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
mmmm titanium!!!! Any links to a website?
Old 09-26-2006, 08:18 AM
  #16  
Rotary baby!
 
tpodowd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Tokyo - Japan
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sure :D http://revo-tune.jp/catalogue/list.php?category=4&ve_w=RX-8(SE3P)

Tom.
Old 09-26-2006, 08:28 AM
  #17  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
BoosTED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Nice wide open engine bay. Amazing how much room there is without the battery and airbox...

Nice that the Revolution bar is modular. Can be 4-point or 2.

Quality is excellent!

Was even able to mod the engine cover to fit on top of it too.
Old 09-26-2006, 08:30 AM
  #18  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
BoosTED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Titanium is light but not as rigid as aluminum.

titanium exhaust is used to cut weight and it does not transfer heat well... nice for shift ***** as well
Old 09-26-2006, 08:57 AM
  #19  
Rotary baby!
 
tpodowd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Tokyo - Japan
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yeah, I love that engine bay... Eventually maybe mine might look like that! Oh to dream!

Originally Posted by 4 years to Supercharge
Nice wide open engine bay. Amazing how much room there is without the battery and airbox...

Nice that the Revolution bar is modular. Can be 4-point or 2.

Quality is excellent!

Was even able to mod the engine cover to fit on top of it too.
Old 09-26-2006, 06:41 PM
  #20  
I don't buy Kool-Aid
 
DOMINION's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Vegas Baby!
Posts: 8,823
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
^I hear that!
Old 09-27-2006, 02:57 AM
  #21  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
BoosTED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Now thinking about the Titanium it is more springy than aluminum but it always returns to the same place. It will be less stiff or rigid than the aluminum but it is more resilient and will displace the energy smoothly.

Those that have ridden a titanium frame bicycle should be able to tell the difference between the harshness of ride between a titanium and an aluminum frame. Aluminum is less forgiving and harsh.
Old 09-28-2006, 08:57 AM
  #22  
I'm Kind of a Big Deal
 
success07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 918
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just purchased/ received a JIC 4-pt. aluminum strut tower but have yet to it put on. Brian at Good-Win Racing has them. I paid $360 or so including shipping. Looks great and seems to be well made. I have the rear on order as well with Jason at the RX8Store so I'll wait till that comes in to install them both.

Last edited by success07; 09-28-2006 at 08:59 AM.
Old 09-28-2006, 09:54 AM
  #23  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
BoosTED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
And pics will ensue, I am sure
Old 09-28-2006, 10:02 AM
  #24  
I'm Kind of a Big Deal
 
success07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 918
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, Sir!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Modified Dave
Canada For Sale/Wanted
9
09-19-2015 08:58 PM
Solidtrance
Series I Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension
22
09-04-2015 12:47 PM
beastman_5
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
0
08-30-2015 10:22 AM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Benefit of 4 Point Front Strut Tower Bar



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:20 PM.