cusco strut bar vs. Stock R1 strut
 

Hey guys,
I was just curious which strut bar is acutally better? It would help out a lot if you could list out the pros and cons to each one. Thanks a lot guys.

strut bars work the same. however, some are better made to stand from bending and breaking

They'll function the same. I bought an R1 shock tower brace because I prefer the oem value of it (rx-7 plate on it, painted red) to the universal looks of the Cusco. Either will work great. I'm not sure of the clearance differences, if any.

The R1 brace (not R2) has a length adjustment. This allows the brace to have a pretension put on it and allows a simple install.

Braces are loaded in tension, a long skinny bar wouldn't do much to strengthen the body in compression.

R1 brace is steel, steel is stiffer than aluminum Cusco brace. Length adjustable is a bonus for R1 bar. Looks, R1 bar wins hands down IMHO.

Bottom line, either brace will work fine. You won't be able to tell the difference between having the bar and not having it, despite what some others will say.

Jeff

Stut bar is a strut bar...as long as it's not plastic :D...the OEM R1 Bar sure does look nice though

I installed the Cusco strut bar about two years ago on my '95 PEP. Installed without issue. Noticed an immediate improvement in initial turn in when entering a corner (street driven). Car feels much ‘tighter’.

The chrome and finish have held up well, and there has never been any additional squeaks or noise that I could relate to this bar. I think this is because of the nylon inserts between the cross bar and the brackets.

The PEP model only came stock with the rear strut bar, which I still use.

If it was chrome you didn't get a cusco. think only the bolts are chromed. the body is aluminum.

Thanks Brentis, your correct that the Cusco cross bar is aluminum not chrome. My mistake. So I should have said that the aluminum is still polished and shiny.

Just to be the antagonist here I did feel a major difference when going in and out of driveways or other types of un-even pavement. The car is a lot stiffer. I never raced the car without it so no comment on its effectivenes there.

when I got my car, it already had a cusco so I couldn't tell a diff. on my mkiv supra, i noticed a HUGE difference. I guess b/c the suspension and chassis is made from marshmellows.

are those any diff. from marshmAllows? :D:D:D:D

hehe

paul

yeah - they aren't as uptight. :)

hehe, im kinda torn on this issue as well. im probably just gonna get a cusco due to the polished look (red doesnt go to well with mbm IMO), and price as well.

paul

I prefer the circular brackets of the cusco over the "C"-shaped ones on the R1. Just a matter of taste. I painted my brackets(they come black).

http://strages.homestead.com/files/bar2.JPG

i have a copy scoot hood.. does any bar fit my car???

Actually, i remember a proffessor saying before that the shape of the bar itself does have an impact on the rigidity. He compared the ovals ones, d-shaped ones, and the rectangular ones. Can't recall anything else tho :)

I agree with almost all of your posts but not that one. I definitely noticed a difference. It makes the front end feel like one piece. I actually noticed less rattles from the dash and the steering felt better, especially on rougher surfaces.

smerkinseven: Do you have the rotaryextreme scoot copy? I believe any brace works with that hood. Give Chuck a call.

Everyone always says this, maybe it is a difference car-to-car. I've driven my R1 with and without the brace, I've also installed a couple different braces on project cars, Ractive and a Cusco brace. Never could tell a difference.

I auto-x my R1 heavily (1 set of R-compound tires/yr), I do know how to drive it hard. I haven't raced it without the brace and I imagine it does something good but I've never felt a difference.

Opinions vary, but I just can't feel the difference on more than one FD, more than one type of brace.

Just FYI.

Jeff

The original R1 bar does.

I have a M2 tower bar, and it's the nicest looking one other than the stock R1 strut tower bar. Nice mandrel bends and robotic Tig Welding. With Red brackets, and a nice polished finish! It's actually a very nice unit. I got mine at a super deal! I got mine for only $20........I got the hookups!

If im not mistaken thats not the cusco bar. im not sure what brand, but i have a cusco and it looks nothing like that.:confused:

I purchased a CUSCO off the forum just because of the availability. I would have preferred an R1 just for the OEM look. The polished aluminum does look cool.

I noticed a difference right away. Much stiffer in the turns and less rattles. One of the best mods if done. I recommend it.

the only reason i would get rid of my R1 bar is to get the FEED titanium bars. just so i can say i have titanium strut bars LOL

in theory this is correct because the shock towers only locate the shock and not the control arms. so flexing of the towers (if any) does not change the suspension geometry like it would on a strut car like the fc.

mike

its been many years and many more people discuss the usefull/useless ness of the shock tower brace does it really help at all ? (PERFORMANCE WISE I DO KNOW IT HELPS WITH NVH)

I'm curious if it does make a difference for performance when driving hard .




EDIT: I just now realized I posted this in the wrong thread but oh well I guess its sort of related .