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Lets Talk Strut Tower Bars! (STB!)

13K views 44 replies 26 participants last post by  Silver Supra  
#1 ·
Hey Gang,

I currently own a 1998 Supra MKIV. I see all these different STB out there from so many companies and then I asked myself. Hey which brand is the best? What's better steel construction or Carbon Fiber? Should I get a Front or rear strut bar? I've not really looked into it since I have owned my car now about 2 months. I thought it was a simpler modification that could be done but after looking I am not so sure now. If you guys could provide a Newby Supra Owner like me some insight on this subject I would appreciate it. I thought initally I wanted a Greddy one I thought it would looked good and I thought it would make a good match to my car. I have found out directly from them that it has been discontinued. What brands and construtions would you all recommend. Thanks -TheSquirrel!
 
#2 ·
I knew by the title that whoever started this thread must have just signed up. This forum has a search function to find out stuff like this. I'll make it simple though while I'm here. All current 'carbon fiber' bars are wrapped construction. Mint speed titanium are great but can be purchased without their logo from overseas for pennies on the dollar. Carbing makes a great front and rear set (the best, perhaps.) Do Luck makes an awesome rear but no matching front. TRD is great, but heavy and has no matching rear bar. There are arguments whether the front bars even make any difference on a Supra. You'll get more out of the Do Luck rear cross bar or sparco harness bar. All the ones I suggest are expensive except the heavy TRD but you pay to play with Supras.
 
#4 ·
What Eden said.

Also keep in mind that a rear bar will require slight mods to your interior plastics and small cuts in your discontinued rear carpet.

That said, I'd go TRD, Titanium TRD clone, or Carbing front.. with the Carbing rear.
 
#5 ·
Had both Cusco front and rear but later took them out for a TRD. I was lucky to find BNIB hatch carpets and parts since mine were chopped for the rear bar.
 
#6 ·
I had a TRD front strutbar for a few years but now mine has the Mint Speed Ti front bar. These make a slight improvement in reduced front chassis flex but not much. IMO rear strut bars are much less effective than the fronts. The DoLuck rear floor crossbar and Sparco harness bar make noticeable improvements.
 
#7 ·
Agreed with Nick. I've had front, rear, both, and none (as far as strut bars go) from many different brands, as well as the Sparco harness bar. I currently run a TRD front strut bar and occasionally run the Sparco bar. These are the only two that make a real difference in my experience. If you have a targa car, you could attempt to have someone build a targa brace for you. As far as I know - I have the only one that uses the stock hardware, and it was especially difficult to create for the fabricator (hand-cut the threads). I would like to have a run of these made, but am actually afraid to ship the brace out as it's a literal one-of-a-kind piece.
 
#8 ·
Well I really appreciated the advice and wouldn't you know it a few hours after I posted this and read the responses I found a guy selling a TRD STB new in the box with all stuff for installation. Wouldn't have gotten it without some additional information Thank you forum post folks.
 
#10 ·
Can anyone verify if rear bars do anything at all? I've had rear strut bars on other cars in the past but they have had a lot of room between strut towers. Supras have a LOT of steel directly between rear struts it's hard to imagine a rear bar would do anything for chassis rigidity at the back. If anyone can prove they help I may get one! :)
 
#11 ·
Can anyone verify if rear bars do anything at all?...
Hopefully I'm not going on "selective memory" but over the last 15 years I don't recall anyone ever saying a rear strut bar did any good. Even before that the "word" on mkiv.com was the same.
 
#12 ·
Rear bar doesn't do shit. Total waste of money. Look at the factory braces in the rear and that should sum it up for anyone.

As for the front, the only ones worth anything are the Carbing and TRD bars. They're solid bars that do not flex from bolts on the mounting tabs. Mint speed is a knock off TRD bar made of titanium so those are okay too.

Years ago I ran a greddy bar. All it did was make it a p.i.t.a to change spark plugs :cool:
 
#15 ·
Hey I have a Further question for you all. I managed to Find a Titanium TRD STB new in the box. I saw on the tech part of the Forums here about an installation where a decent amount of adjustment had to be made to get it to fit on a stock engine set up. I wanted to ask is this always the case? I thought it might ne a straight drop in fit. I havent done this before but the tech area was pretty informative, he cut on the bar to make it fit! I would like to avoid this if possible any suggestions? Thanks -TheSquirrel!
 
#16 ·
Is this the "mint speed" brand? If so then it should be direct drop in. If its the chinese replica being pedaled around then I'm not surprised it would need massaging to fit.

If you're really concerned about fitment then don't buy knocks offs. Simply contact Curt (Forum sponsor) on this board and get the read deal bar. Just my 2 psi
 
#17 ·
Hks kansai carbon bar gets my vote...
 
#18 ·
Thanks for the Opinion there Smallshot. It is the Real Deal TRD Original STB not some crappy knock off. I was just curious if it should just drop right in or not sounds like it should since it is an original. Wreckless had a point as well I always appreciate info given about an issue I am having. It is always my hope that someone else will have had a similar issue and be able to help me out! Thanks. :)
 
#19 ·
Yes, it will bolt right in. Its been a while since my car was factory stock, but if I recall correctly the only thing that will need addressing is relocation of the injector resistor pack. Its the cheese grader looking thing. A quick google search will give you an idea :) But good choice on going with the real deal.
 
#20 ·
My experience mirrors Small Shot's. I had the TRD and then later got the Mint Speed Ti and they both dropped right in with nothing moded. I already moved the resistor pack so another nearby bolt holds it.
 
#22 ·
A rear bar is a waste of money. There I said it. If you pull the carpeting back and look at the sheet metal in the back hatch area, the car is already reinforced in that area with 2 braces. A front bar would be a better idea. The 1 piece bars are going to be stronger than the ones that bolt together. Steel would be strongest, but also the heaviest.

Steve K.
 
#23 ·
I have not pulled the trigger to get a front strut bar because I like the ease of changing out my spark plugs.. How much more of a pain the arse is it to change the plugs with the strut bar? Do you have the remove the bar completely?
 
#26 ·
STB's are completely pointless on a double wishbone set up like the Supra has as the major lateral forces are transmitted into the lower cross member. The cross member has triangulated strengthening members linked to a further smaller cross member behind the main one and each cross member is bolted directly to the chassis legs. The support rigidity of the whole front suspension is, provided by the front lower subframes. The actual strut turrets are there merely to provide a mounting face for the shock absorber upper mount.

If you want to make a more noticeable difference poly bush the anti roll bars or get a thicker/stiffer set of arb's.
 
#29 ·
In regards to the couple posts questioning the benefit of a TRD front strut brace, I suspect these are drivers that either don't drive with their roof off or haven't personally had a TRD FSB. I drive with the roof off 80% of the time, and in that situation, the reduction in body flex over road irregularities and dips provided by the bar is very obvious and significant.
 
#31 ·
I use the carbing front strut bar mainly because of the brake master cylinder fixture.
 
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#32 ·
That master cylinder brace is a worthwhile addition and gives better brake pedal feel. I added one to my Mint Speed Ti.
 
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#33 ·
Ok guys got my new in the box TRD Strut bar in the mail a few days back and I am going to be doing my own install. The question, do any of you have any pictures of your set up and movement of the box that sits on top of the right strut as you look at the engine. Where did you move it to? or did you hava brackett made for it and place it on that. If anyones got a shot or two that might really help me out I want it to look clean. Thanks for any info or pics.
 
#35 ·
Thats great shot small, did you mount it to existing bolts there or did you make a raised braket or what to do that?
 
#37 ·
^ same thing I did although I doubt I have a pic of it