Strut Bar....when and why?

[Tim Gedney]

A "For Sale" thread got me thinking about add-ons....

2002, AEM intake. Still new to the car (< 1 month) and loving it. Still increasing my speed around the corners to test the limits. Under what conditions does the strut bar come into play? Is it only a track thing, or will I notice a diff taking the street corners at 35 miles per hour? Thanks in advance....

I don't think I'll ever S/C the car....after all, how fast can I go without landing in jail or the ground. But HANDLING improvements....perhaps.

Oh, and coming out of a drift: step on the gas? I have to come clean.... On a test drive earlier this summer, had a young salesman with me who let me put the car through it's paces. Made the loop once, he offered to drive it again. I got a little too aggressive around a corner, the rear broke loose on a downhill curve, I hit the brakes, and slid across the road, impacting the opposite embankment at about 5 miles per hour...just enough to scratch the bottom of the front cowling...and thank God there wasn't a car coming the other way. Guess I need a HPDE course (anyone know of one coming up in SOCAL?).

Sorry for the length...and the ramble. Tim

[gomarlins3]

Most people will tell you that a strut tower brace on the S is a waste of money. I have one and have had a few over the past 4 1/2 years and I like them. Does it make a difference? Who knows, but I like them.

As for the drifting question, I have no clue and really don't care to know.

[Halo]

I find the strut bar is very useful... for resting my hand when I'm working under the hood. I got one for basically nothing from a friend who parted out their car so I couldn't say no.

[Tim Gedney]

Thanks, guys. Seems like very few folks advocate making any significant improvements to the car. Seems like those who have wish they didn't, and from what I've read, very little of what's out there really makes much of a difference. So, looks like enjoy it like it was built...which I'm doing to the max! Thanks! Tim

[gomarlins3]

I have had one since the start and I like them. I just don't think it makes a big difference in performance. I don't regret having one though, that's for sure.

[s2000isu]

i never used one in the s2000 so you can take what i say with a grain of salt. I believe in some cars the brace will help however the s2000 has such a stiff chasis to begin with the benefits of a brace like that will be very hard to notice.

[Java Junky]

"the s2000 has such a stiff chasis to begin with" (quotin' s2)
I think s2's hit the nail on the head. On somethin' that was never intended to be anything more than a means of transportation (enter the name of almost any car here that's been upgraded from the original, make-a-buck design to a Clearasil "supercar" ala JC Whitney) a strut brace n' a whole lodda other chassis stiffinen' stuff would make a very real difference. On somethin' that was designed, n' built as somethin' that's meant to handle, go, n' generally exite . . except for bench-racin' . . it really ain't necessary.
Be well.
Java

[StemS2k]

when you oversteer, or lose the back end, you have to stay on the gas slightly to keep downforce. when you brake or let off the gas, the car lifts up and you lose control. you also have to countersteer, keep your eyes and the front wheels pointed where you want to go. you described an oversteer, drifting is slightly different and isnt done on the road. this is true for all RWD cars.

[Tim Gedney]

Thanks. Was in an "oversteer" situation on a test drive...downhill curve, backend started coming around...I hit the brakes and, well...didn't turn out well. Will try my best to avoid that situation again. Sounds like it takes lots of practice and even more faith and bravery to ACCELERATE when the back end breaks loose! Might need some Auto-X or track time to get used to that maneuver. Thanks for the lesson!

[bjurasz]

StemS2k is almost correct in his description. It's not really "downforce", which I (at least) usually think of as an aerodynamic force on the car. What we are looking at is weight transfer, and its true for all cars, not just RWD. Its simple physics and is related to the fact that forces on a car interact at pavement level, but the center of gravity of all cars is above pavement level, no matter which axle is driven.

And yes, an HPDE event or auto-x would not only be educational, but a lot of fun too!

[StemS2k]

yeah definitely, and i would bet the S2000 would be awesome on autox

and when i said RWD cars i just meant that oversteering is a lot more common in RWD cars, but my awd S4 could oversteer, but it had a ton of power.

another great place to practice is in an empty parking lot when its wet outside. easy to drift and practice.

[Kick it down a gear]

Heres a short overview of oversteer and some background just to clearify things. Racing has a lot to do with weight shifts. When you brake no matter how much the nose dives, weight will shift onto the front wheels giving them more grip. The same is true when accelerating, weight is shifted onto the back tires increasing their grip. An oversteer is basically when the rear tires lose grip before the front, thats when the tail comes out. The point of getting on the gas SLIGHTLY is to shift weight onto the rear tires and regain grip as soon as possible. You are not necessarily accelerating though, a slide will slow you down. You do not want to get on the gas to aggresively as it will result in a spin. Its a balance of shifting weight to the rear with out overpowering what grip the rear tires have. I just want to clearify the acceleration thing in relation to oversteer because I dont want you to be pounding the gas everytime the tail starts to swing out.

If you really want to learn about how to drive/race go to a driving school. I went to Bondurant in Arizona and what you learn is priceless. It was worth every penny. It was a top notch school and very professional.

Take care

[Kitikithakis]

It's pushin'...it's loose... up on the track bar and take out round of wedge....Watch NASCAR or IMSA. You get the gist soon enough....LOL

[bobby2002S2K]

In reref. to the strut bar.I find it to be very nice,very useful.Although the S2k is already very strong when it comes to flexing.I drive my car really hard everytime i turn the key and after i put it on i could really tell the differance in sharp curves aound 55 miles per hour or higher that was not bumpy but have like small rolling hills uneven on the sides of the lane.I hope you get what i'm talking about.Before i put it on i could fill the car load up an spring back in the steering after i put on the upper brace it feels like the suspension is doing all the work like it should be and the front of the car isnt flexing.So for me it feels alot safer at high speeds and like i can feel the road alot better.

[Tim Gedney]

Thanks! I might just put some on. Every advantage I can get, even a small one, I'll take. I do tend to "push it" most of the time I'm in the car. Nothing high-speed, but I do tend to take corners a bit fast...because I can!! I'll look for some. Anyone have suggestions on what works well on Stewie? Look like an easy install. Any problems installing them myself?

[gomarlins3]

Originally Posted by Tim Gedney

Anyone have suggestions on what works well on Stewie? Look like an easy install. Any problems installing them myself?

The stock suspension works well on "Stewie".

[bobby2002S2K]

Installing them are easy.the only thing is to look for one that doesnt block your cruise control.As far as who makes the bar itself doesnt really matter as long as its strong and isnt going to flex you could pay from 40 bucks to 400 bucks i got a Spoon one just because of the cool factor for a few hundred my buddy just bought one off e-bay for 40bucks its a Apc and is just as good.Hes blocks his cruise alittle bit so he un hooked it and routed it through a hole in it.My personal opion is hey it a peice of metal not a complex head ya know.A cave man could pick one out and 9 times out of ten its good to go.

[bobby2002S2K]

Installing them are easy.the only thing is to look for one that doesnt block you cruise control.As far as who makes the bar it self doesnt really matter as long as its strong and isnt going to flex you could pay from 40 bucks to 400 bucks i got a Spoon one just because of the cool factor for a few hundred my buddy just bought one off e-bay for 40bucks its a Apc and is just as good.Hes blocks his cruise alittle bit so he un hooked it and routed it through a hole in it.My personal opion is hey it a peice of metal not a complex head ya know.A cave man could pick one out and 9 times out of ten its good to go