Crixtala

Does anybody have any pictures of their rear strut bars in their cars?

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

netseven has a nice pic of it. Its a CPracing bar. They now use that pic in their ebay auctions because he did it so cleanly.

Crixtala

Okay, well then this is a better question. I'm looking at a rear strut bar on eBay, and I want to make sure that it is a rear strut bar, and not a front strut bar, because I'm bidding on one of those at this time as well. I'll put a picture of it up, maybe someone can tell me if it is a rear strut bar or not.

5 point whoa

I know thats not the front one for sure

Crixtala

Well true... I hadn't thought about the fact that it would have to have four holes in the plates...

But is there anybody that can verify that this is a rear strut bar. And this would go where the speakers are at in the strut towers right?

25BP

That is a rear bar, or at least deigned to fit the rear mounting bolts. The fronts have 4 mounting holes and are in a "square". This is offset and there are only 2.
Lastly the height of the mounting stem is probably too tall for the hood to close.
Hope it helps, good luck bidding and let everyone know how that bar works.

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

I would not buy that bar. It looks pathetic. The way the metal that is going to hold the load is made it will just flex. It needs to have braces on the parts that hold the bar part of it so that it transmits the force of flex in the chasis to the opposing strut tower.

EDIT:

This is what I mean.

Crixtala

Thanks 25BP, that's what I was wanting to hear. Hopefully I can win these two auctions, and one of ya'll don't outbid me.

Crixtala

Is there something else that you would recommend?

25BP

It would be nice to have a bar similar to the CP bar that extends over the shock towers.

The issue with cutting through the speaker tower is not that big of a deal, and if they made a template to help the cut would not be that nasty to look at. Done right the carpet could probably be put back to cover any holes made.
That would be a great setup, a soild rear bar that mounts to the tub with 4 points.
CP Racing.......here is your consumer request!

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

I would definately say the CPracing bar is top notch when it comes to workmanship and functionality.

Mr. Gadget

Does anyone have coupe and vert recomondations?

Crixtala

So in this picture, the one on the right is the better of the two, correct? And the one on the left is like the one in the picture, correct?

Where can I find this bar? And is this a bar that connects the tops of the strut towers. All I've been able to find besides the one that I showed previously are three point ones that go into the center of the strut tower and through the carpet and down into the floor. I don't want to have to cut anything to put in the strut bar. Plus, I don't really like the look/design of these strut bars, and it compromises the hatch space, and I'm sure that I will end up using every once in a while seeing as how my RX-7 is a going to be my daily driver.

fe1rx

Consider this - why do you want a rear strut bar? The design of the rear suspension on the FC does not put any side load into the tops of the shock towers. The rear shocks are in pure compression with no side loading. (A front strut bar is a different matter.) Realistically a rear strut bar has no functional purpose. If you are simply looking for a look - you don't need advice. If you are looking to improve your car in any real way a rear strut bar should be very far down your list of things to consider.

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

Performance is all about compromise. If you want more performance you need a better designed brace that will flew the least amount.

RETed

Wrong. Side loads are induced when you're cornering. Also, due to chassis flex, it's going to move when the car is moving. I've found that for drag racing, the rear bar HELPS with launching, as it cut 0.1 to 0.2 seconds off the 60' time.

When adding bars such as this, the name of the game is minimizing chassis flex. When you minimize chassis flex, you allow the suspension components to do their job better.

The rear bar "boxes" the rear suspension.

I don't if most of you know, but running that rear bar will REQUIRE cutting a hole in the rear speaker/shock towers.


-Ted

neptuneRX

I have a question, when I had my car inspect for state inspection (try #4 out of 7) they said my back suspension was broken, when I asked for more detail they said it was squeaking. I took a look at it and everything seemed fine, and driving it home it sounded about the same. Then again this is the same group of people that broke my headlight switch.

Edit: what's causing the squeaking?