Strut Bar Advice.

[*MAD DOG*]

Hey everyone,

I'm considering getting some front and rear strut bars for the Yaris.

I'm interested to hear your comments on these questions:-

Is there a performance difference between a strut that goes under the car (under engine or under hatch) vs one that goes on top (engine bay or hatch)

Are all strut bars created equal, is there any real difference between the expensive and cheap ones?

What would you recommend in front and rear strut bars and why do you recommend that particular brand?

At this stage i'm thinking of getting underbody bars as i like to be able to fold my 60/40 back seats down to put things in the back, so the cross brace in the back is a no.

Looking forward to your comments.

[BlackMan_Ink]

there is minimal performance gain when adding bracing bars. There should be no difference in the material quality of the pieces, but a good design is essential to proper chassis stiffening. The point of the bars is to make the chassis bend less during hard turns. If you notice when cornering the car seems to feel as if it is going to tip over, thas the body roll and the more bars you add the less the car will feel that way. I would think of it as adding bars to the top and bottom of the engine to turn the frame into a cube that is more solid. Adding bars on the bottom/top of engine only would give you less performance than putting a front under brace, and a front strut tower brace on at once.

as far as which one to get_ a bar that rests on three points is better than two, and usually the simplest design is the most effective.

[lilredrocket]

I'm looking to get some bracing bars and have been reading up on them. For the bars that go under your car I would go with the GT spec braces. As for the bars that are on the top almost any of the (engine bay) front ones are good. Now for the for the rear you can get one if you like but be perpared to get bashed by user Tamago because the rear of our car doesn't have struts and the way the bar bolts on to the car it sits on the shocks with the rubber bushings so having no real support

[spookz]

I've read that a rear sway bar for the Yaris is a good effective mod..

You have choices from Whiteline (Shelby), Ultra Racing, and TRD (USA)..

[lilredrocket]

Oh yea sorry forgot to add that one. While I'm adding GT Spec makes a rear lower strut bar too don't think I have read about anyone installing one.

[cali yaris]

Ultra Racing is as good or better than GT Spec for less money. I've used both.

The only two braces to start with are rear sway bar (which isn't a brace), and the front strut brace.

Other than that, I'll stay out of the "do they do anything, or not" discussion.

[*MAD DOG*]

Originally Posted by cali yaris

Ultra Racing is as good or better than GT Spec for less money. I've used both.

The only two braces to start with are rear sway bar (which isn't a brace), and the front strut brace.

Other than that, I'll stay out of the "do they do anything, or not" discussion.

Thanks Garm

[Tamago]

since you don't have struts in the rear.. i don't recommend wasting money on the spaghetti bar.. get the other X bar if you want something that actually stiffens

this is functional:




this is for looks:

[*MAD DOG*]

Originally Posted by Tamago

since you don't have struts in the rear.. i don't recommend wasting money on the spaghetti bar.. get the other X bar if you want something that actually stiffens

this is functional:




this is for looks:

Thanks for the post, however you missed an important part of my post. Here it is again in BOLD

Originally Posted by *MAD DOG*

.....At this stage i'm thinking of getting underbody bars as i like to be able to fold my 60/40 back seats down to put things in the back, so the cross brace in the back is a no.

[Tamago]

ok thanks, yes i skimmed what you typed

if you don't legitimately race the car i don't see the point of installing braces personally.... unless it wins you points at car shows ;)

[*MAD DOG*]

Originally Posted by Tamago

ok thanks, yes i skimmed what you typed

if you don't legitimately race the car i don't see the point of installing braces personally.... unless it wins you points at car shows ;)

So in your opinion i'd be better off spending that money on springs instead? I'm never going to race my Yaris. I think stock springs are too soft.

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by *MAD DOG*

So in your opinion i'd be better off spending that money on springs instead? I'm never going to race my Yaris. I think stock springs are too soft.

yes, absolutely

get the car lower first.. swaybar is a must.. skip the braces unless you have extra money to throw away

then again i'm in "saving" mode right now so i see almost ALL mods as useless.. .

[*MAD DOG*]

Originally Posted by Tamago

yes, absolutely

get the car lower first.. swaybar is a must.. skip the braces unless you have extra money to throw away

then again i'm in "saving" mode right now so i see almost ALL mods as useless.. .

What swaybar do you recommend and why?

[BrazdonW]

the rear tower strut does have an effect at high speed bends
all the weight is thrown to the rear end
the brace will do more but the strut tower isnt just for looks
under the car sway bars do more than the strut but less then the cross brace

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by *MAD DOG*

What swaybar do you recommend and why?

cannot comment, don't personally have a yaris.

i have a progress bar, it's a nice piece.

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by BrazdonW

the strut tower isnt just for looks

explain how it works please

[cali yaris]

Here you go:

http://www.ultraracing.com.my/template.asp?menuid=30

If front strut braces did nothing but add weight, race cars would not have them. Most of the Time Attack cars I've looked under the hoods of had them.

[SurfinYaris]

Since you are not taking your yaris on track or anything but daily driving and want sport feel and good handling. Get good lower springs plenty reviews here. I believe rear sway bar is only thing that is noticeable in handling even in daily too. Im gonna say nothing on strut bar thing, its each person own opinion but yes it can add weight or not.