Hi guys, I am looking to get a new upper strut bar, who do you think makes a good one, $?, and where to get it? Thanks, have a good weekend.

 

Alot of people have the Cusco one....do a search and a bunch of pics will come ups and they aren't too pricy, check our vendors

Comptech has a titanium one too, and neuspeed makes one too,

 

thanks, anybody prefer one to the other?

 

I have the nuespeed. I like that it works with the factory bar, it's very strong and I noticed an improvement.

 

so the factory one stays in place?

 

^yes. there is a member on the black market that is selling a comptech strut bar. https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/sold-fs-2g-tl-cl-comptech-sway-ti-strut-bar-387417/

 

thanks man

 

I'm confused - why add one if there is already one there form the factory? It seems pretty solid?

 

because you have not looked closely at the stock one and where it bolts up- what its INTENTION is versus the action happening
compare with the addition of Cusco which uses the remaining 3 strut tower bolts and goes direct to the other strut tower- way better rigidity and locates the strut tops in relation to each other
The lower bar locates the lower suspension points and strengthens the lower frame rails and suspension mount points
I use the lower cusco bar- $85 and the upper cusco OS- oval shaped (pressed for better strength) $150
see vender MrHeelToe- www.heeltoeauto.com for both those items

 

1 + 1 = 2, 2>` so more is better!

no seriously... adding one instead of replacing it will increase rigidity..... equivalent to a larger thicker one which replaces the stock

 

good price for the cusco. you are happy with the upper?

 

You ~feel~ the immediate improvement with the lower bar- the car stops flexing into corners. and passengers dont feel an oppposite roll to the direction of the turn.
The upper is a definete help for those that push the car harder- or are doing shock/suspension upgrades. You need a stable base for the shocks and tires to do their work, a fixed spatial location to each other.

So my answer is Yes the upper bar is good, and combined with the lower is great.
If I had to make a choice of 1 to started- get the lower

 

well thats ood because the lower is cheaper too! thanks for oyur help. What does the lower mount to?

 

Comptech >*


BTW I know its off topic but I have both upper and lower (front and back) FS in the BST section ..

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=387417

 

back on topic:
The lower bar goes across the frame rails- right where they go from straight to curved around the engine and transmission.
There are 2 big bolts there- the bar goes across and fixes the frame in place relative to each side- to reduce flex.
Its cheaper because its flat steel and a simple design.
The upper is a far more complex piece of reformed round steel stock and thus cost more.

 

What's the total cost to purchase/install?

Anything I'd need to buy other then the bar?

 

You can install it yourself. I got my Neuspeed bar used for $85. You don't need to buy anything else, but it would help a ton if you had a hydraulic jack. Many people need to jack the car up from the front center jack point all the way on the stock jack to get it to fit.

 

the upper bar requires a socket set iirc 12 or 14mm- undo 3 nuts of the 5 on top of the shock tower. The ones the stock bar is not using.
install bar- replace nuts, tighten - may come with new ones- tighten adjuster ends of bar. Done
Total time 5 minutes
Lower bar- helps to own car ramps for oil changes- so I had those.
Drive the car up on them-place block behind rear wheel to prevent roll off!!!!
undo the 2 big bolts= need 3 or 4 foot long breaker bar- entension pipe like a jack handle to get enough leverage- they are tight tight tight
make sure they are like that once you are done as well~
Same thing- 2 bolts- put bar in place and re-install bolts- tighten fully- tighten end adjusters- drive backwards off the ramps- go drive and do some lane changes quickly and some cloverleaf on ramps- move on and off the line and feel the differance from before- the low cost is suddenly the best cheap mod you have done so far. You will tell your friends.

Sort of like a recent thread on Does Seafoam work???- the doubting OP came back and said mileage improved, car runs smoother- he is now a believer

 

Is this a better Mod than replacing the rear sway bar?

 

they do different things- sway bars are about weight transfer and body roll
In my opinion you need to stiffen the chassis in order for the suspension and tires to better and fully do their jobs.
I have not done the rsb so I cant say how much it helps. Been thinking of installing poly bushing on the stock bar- have to keep it wife driveable for now.
I do have a 1.5-1.75" drop on Tein SS and that rocks!

 

I'm in the same boat...wife compliable.

May be Tein SS in the future?
How easy are they too adjust and what settings are you currently
riding on..?(Wife compliable).

 

IMO, upgrading the RSB is #1 or #2 in the order of what suspension changes improve the handling (with dropping the car being the other one of the pair).

 

Comptech or Neuspeed. It has to either use the oem bar or its mounting locations or i wouldnt use it.

 

ended up being a good discussion, fasttyms not a fan of Cusco? what do you think of rear sway bar upgrade?

 

I don't know about on the TL, but the Cusco bar on the TSX seems flimsy, I can move it quite easily when pressing on it in the middle.

 

Who's FASTTYMS

 

He is! lol

 

Fast Times WON=
Our GURU and gen2 TL Moderator- he knows many things and has over 250,000 miles on his TL- not to mention some special mods to the car, like a different motor with manual trans

 

he is the god who has answered many of my acura questions so i dont have to go to a dealer. Many questions answered before I even had to be the one to ask them.

 

Its not that im not a fan, I would want a bar that utilizes the stock 4 point mounting, or a bar that mounts to 4 points like the comptech. That are more rigid and do a better job than those that just connect the 2 towers.

Rear sway bar upgrade But i personally would upgrade both ends.

 

who makes a good rear sway? where to start?? thanks again

 

And over 38k Knowledgeable posts... He's like a on gen2 TL forum..

 

Even tho the front SB is normally the same size as the OE?

What about changing the OE bushings to Polyurethane, Will this really make a difference?

 

so then I guess my only other question is who makes a good rear sway? and where do I buy it

 

Search is your friend

 

no me and search arnt speaking any more. hes kind of a d!ck.

 

MrHeelToe or Excelerate both are Progress dealers and other brands
See the Off Topic link at top of every page- click- then Sponsored Sales- there you go, everything you could want for your car!!

 

thanks guys