To begin with, I give this product a marginal thumbs up. This is based from the whole installation experience to the actual drive and price.

Here is my review of the whole experience:

Install:

Removing of the stock bar was pretty easy, except from part where I had to disconnect a whole bunch of wires and hoses from the brackets that is part of the bar, including the freaking throttle cable. (at this point I was kinda worried because I don't see any brackets on the comptech bar for these wires to go on).

Some interesting things I noticed from the removal of the stock bar is that; 1. I never realized that the stock bar also connects to the firewall (I wonder why Comptech made such a big deal about the fact that theirs do?). 2. All of the bolts that was on the stock bar was not torqued very hard at all, it took no effort to remove them.. Made me wonder about whether or not if they needed to be torqued a little more to begin with? 3. All of the measurement on the Comptech instructions for the bolts were off by 2 mm.

Next is the install of the bar. This was very easy, took a few minutes to line it up just right, and it ready to be bolt down. Everything was straight forward, just make sure that you have a torque ranch that can handle 9 to 45 ft/lb torque, and make sure that you have a thin enough socket head to torque the bolts that tightens the bar itself. I had to use a regular hand ranch and guessed on the torque amount because none of my sockets fit in the very tight spot for tighten the bar.

Once I got everything bolt it down, I had to basically tie all of the loose hoses and wires up with a plastic zip tie thing.. very, very !! I still have to figure something out for that..

The Drive:

So after about a week since I had the bar installed, here are some of my thoughts on this product.

1. The steering feels a little tighter. I'm guessing is because this bar actually ties down part of the strut compare to the stock one. (Or it could be just all in my mind.. like the CAI effect)

2. Some of my high speed vibrations went away. Since I installed the Tein's with 19's C5 RH Evo, when I reach speed around 75 - 85 mph, I can feel the steering wheel vibrate, but it's gone since the install of the bar. Not sure why.

3. The drive around town is basically the same as stock feel, no difference at all, except for the fact that I sware my steering feels tighter now.

4. The twisties.. , this is where I notice a lot of difference. I took my car up to German Town Road, and Skyline (country road basically going up and down mountains with no traffic, Mattg, you know where I'm talking about ) At certain points when I pushed my car about 8/10th, I could really feel the car is holding on around the corners and the steering is a bit more precise, where as before, I feel like at some curves I had to constantly correct my steering to stay on the road. In addition, around all the hard corners now, the car definitely feels more solid than before.

So my overall impression of this product is pretty good, based on the fact that it seem to solved some of my annoying problems I had before, the car handles a little better around corners and it's definitely a nice dress up for under the hood. But would I buy it if I don't have the cool twisties roads to drive on?? probably not, like I said before, I really don't feel any difference at all when I drive around town with nothing but stop and go traffic, I'd put that $300 towards the sway bar first if you don't already have it.

Just my 2 cents, thanks for reading!

 

CLS2001_97124, this is off topic, but i was juss wondering, did you have to modify the TL kit at all in order to fit the CL? it looks freakin HOT... i wanna do the same mod if you don't mind..

 

Yep, you have to modify it, do a search for TL Body Kit, you should find Charles threads on this topic. He's got the original CL that did this mod. He did an awsome job of documenting it.

 

Nice review. The only complain I have is ~ I have to tie up the cables and hoses. Looks not pro.

here is mine

 

Thanks for the review! I am getting the sways installed today. I wasn't sure about the STB and decided against it for $$$ reasons. I have to see how I like the feel of the sways anyway before I reconsider. Since my car is 80% a commuter vehicle I think I should be fine with just sways.

 

after i got my comptech sways, i decided to also get the neuspped tie bar, and installed it together with the stock tie bar. the car is a lot stiffer now, and u can definitely feel it when going over bumps... but the ride is 100% better at speed and when taking corners, even if they are not very sharp

 

this thing looks like a total waste of money in my opinion....the car comes with a stabilizer STOCK...yes, one that attaches to the firewall.....personally, i dont beleive the neuspeed strut tower bar could possibly be effective either but fuck it, for that price, why not...the comptech however comes in at a comptech-typical outrageous price and most likey offers less stability than the stock + nuespeed combo......it may look pretty but fuck that, what a waste of money....

 

you'll pay more for a IS300 but complain for an over priced comptech product? lol

 

jimcol, I never seen the neuspeed strut in person, so I can't speak for it, but comparing the Comptect to stock, it was a huge difference in material.. the stock one feels cheap, and the whole bar is thin and very hollow, not to mention the ends are just the bar compressed so it could be bolt on.. compare this to the comptech bar, the base of the bar for tieing down both sturts are these thick heavy dutie metal material, feels very soild, same with the bar itself, it's much thicker and stronger.. So eventhough it might not be worth the money for most people, it's definitely not a waste of money.

 

i feel that the comptech stb is not a great investment. i believe the neuspeed stb will be perfect for our cars and would certainly complement the stock stb.

sidemarker

 

Is there any weight difference at all? I love the way it looks and if it cost $200 max it would already be on my car. Its just if I have to choose between the bar or the 03' tails for me Ill go with the tails for $350.

 

The STB is slightly lighter than stock. It's only 1~2 lbs different.

 

So whats the real performance advantage beside looking great under the hood? I know this bar is stronger and made out of Titanium and all but the stock never had a problem of cracking. I think this is like the Comptech exhaust it doesn't really give you any performance but it looks great and you can tell people yea I have a performance exhaust. Don't get me wrong if the bar was $200 just on looks alone I would of bought it put for $379 more power to you all who can afford it.

 

by the way you got pics it just might just look good enough for me to hit it

 

Lou - I believe it's worth it. But I don't know what's the difference between this one and Neuspeed, cause I have never tried the Neuspeed one.

 

How much did you pay for it and why do you think its worth because of the performance or looks or a little of both? So you think its worth $379 hey maybe you would be interested in my AEM CAI Ill sell it to you for only $399.

 

But what does it need to be? Does the appearance of toughness (you mention compressed ends seemingly not =tough) actually equal better? I totally trust Comptech generally because of this forum but don't get fooled, they are in this game for $ the same as 100 companies (that may not make CL stuff). I stepped over the edge and went for the Comptech sways and springs (I pick up the car tomorrow with them) because I had a Prelude before the CLS and I wanted to try and get back to that athletic feeling...will the STB be a big difference over stock plus spring and sways? I come off sounding negative but I just don't know where the car flexes and when and which brace is most important...

 

yep, thats just down the street from me


i want to meet up w/ you soon and check out your new mods. maybe next weekend or something.

 

Sure! I've been wanting check out the UR Pollies you have on anyway, just let me know.

 

NO shit!


I think every board member should take a vote to ban this troll from the board!

 

jim must be coming out of the closet.

 

Great review, overall it makes me want to get one. We love the twisties in Sac Town and that's where you felt the most difference. In my opinion, if it removed the vibration you had at over 75 mph, then that was worth it alone !! Hey Mattg, if you drive it, post your impressions.

 

Damn, I wish I still lived in Beaverton. Is that road you're talking about the one you take heading south from Hillsboro going towards Newberg?? That road was fun...even though my car was stock at the time.

 

Hey Seattle, I know the road you are talking about, but it's not German Town, but it's just as fun to drive on. When I go to the coast, I would take that way sometimes. It's a bit out of the way, but the twisties are well worth it.

Blackmagic, I know what you are saying about not knowing if these mods are worth the money. But all I can say is that I took the car up to some nice/fun roads before and after the installation of the Front S.T.B. and I noticed a great deal of difference in the "feel".. The car feels much more stiffer around hard corners, and the steering feels more precise compare to before. So I would definitly say that if you upgrade everything, springs, sways, and the strut, you car will feel even better than a Prelude!

 

Maybe this is a dumb question, but is there any down side to tightening the car up too much ? I had a Taurus SHO and after i did the front strut, it felt more twitchy, is that possible ? With that said, i would do this if most people agree it's good for handling with no downside, any opinions ?

 

you might as well have everything comptech makes, Red

i think this may improve the car a little, and improve the looks under hood alot.

then all you need is the sc and b-pipe. you'll be done by the next time i see you

 

Hey Redrider I personally think you should try it because you have the Sactown Motoring you guys do like every week. So you would thoroughly review the bar under extreme testing like your drives through the Hills at like 70 MPH. If you agree that there is a noticeable improvement in handling then I would consider looking into this product.

Not only that but you have the complete package with the lightweight rims and Toyos T1 if anybody will feel the difference it would be you. So watcha say?

 

I agree with what lou said.. By all means, I'm not a perfessional driver, therefore the review is only based on a novice driver going through the twisty roads, so I'm not exactly sure what Redrider means by the car feeling more twitchy.. Hopefully when Redrider gets one, he can give his impressions as well.

btw, if we decides to do another West Coast Meet this spring (after allmotor gets the turbo installed ), I will not miss it for sure!!

 

I think the twitchniess involved is due to the stiffening of the chassis at a weak point. A stiff chassis can easily overpower the tires that we use...which are relatively skinny compared to most sportier cars of our size....ie, mid-sized sports sedans and coupes. You might wanna dial in a lil negative camber to help compensate in the corners.

 

Hey. Yes, there is a downfall to tightening the car. Your ride is less comfortable! Many modern cars today (including Honda) have independent suspensions that give much better ride quality than older solid axle/leaf-spring and other heavy-duty suspension designs. When you start adding reinforcing members and tighten the chassis up, you'll give up some comfort for added rigidity.

Take for example the new BMW 745i. The 745 has an active anti-roll system where in lower speeds and cornering, the bar is dialed up for high stiffness to eliminate body roll. At higher speeds, the stiffness is dialed in less and less so that the vehicle doesn't get tricky or twitchy to operate. But in straight driving, the anti-roll system is disabled to give you the full benefit of an independent suspension. So at up to around 30 MPH, the car exhibits almost 0 degrees of body roll around turns while enjoying no anti-roll effect in straight driving. Now, THAT should be on every car.

Anybody who rode in a 745 care to comment on the body roll of that car?

 

LOL Matt I'd get the damn SC if they ever release it !! Hey, before you know it, it will be West Coast Meet time, maybe the Oregon Coast this time

 

You convinced me, i'm goin for it !! If nothing else, for the good of my Acura brothers