View Poll Results: Strut bar worth it?
Yes
52
32.91%
No
43
27.22%
Not sure
63
39.87%
Voters: 158. You may not vote on this poll
Strut bar worth it?
08-22-07, 02:57 PM
#1
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Strut bar worth it?
I have an IS 250 and i was wondering if a strut bar is worth it? If anyone has one on their IS post some pictures and let me know if it helps the handling and is worth $200.
Thanks
Thanks
08-22-07, 03:01 PM
#2
I found this thread in the suspension/braking forum, I hope it helps. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=300421
I think lowering the car is the best upgrade when it comes to handling. My old Matrix handles better than my IS250 because I lowered it by 2 inches.
I think lowering the car is the best upgrade when it comes to handling. My old Matrix handles better than my IS250 because I lowered it by 2 inches.
08-22-07, 07:46 PM
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08-23-07, 12:03 AM
#8
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Not too sure on the strut bar because I do not have it, but.........
I had the TOM's rear brace, coupled with TRD front and rear anti-sway bar, lowered with TRD springs and the handling is much tighter now.
You can really feel it when cornering..
I had the TOM's rear brace, coupled with TRD front and rear anti-sway bar, lowered with TRD springs and the handling is much tighter now.
You can really feel it when cornering..
08-23-07, 11:35 AM
#12
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I do believe handling type upgrades are worth it. The IS usually gets knocked for handling and I’m 100% sure its more related to Lexus pacifying it then it not being able to. Throw some mods on it and let it come alive.
08-23-07, 02:38 PM
#14
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double wishbones seems to suffer less from camber changes compared to macpherson strut type suspensions (ala bmw or volvo). therefore, it is logical to conclude there isn't a significant amount of gain coming from a strut bar. macpherson strut designs inherently creates a lot of force at the top of the strut under cornering. the top of the towers are compressed toward each other. the strut brace will help counter this force. by doing so, the camber will change with respect to the suspension's travel rather than the flexing of the chassis. it is a somewhat noticeable upgrade for those types of cars, at least, it did for me when i put it on my volvo. for lexus, i guess it just confirms the above posts that gains are minimal. however, it is probably also the easiest upgrade there is to do on a suspension.
08-23-07, 02:59 PM
#15
Tech Info Resource
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As is true of all mods, the best thing to do is figure out where you are deficient. Toyotas are generally not deficient in their intake design, their electrical design, or their chassis design. Improvements in these areas require careful analysis and execution and the gains to expect are relatively small.
This is not universally true. Some Toyotas do respond to these mods. Assuming because some do, that all will is where we see the most common mistakes. Just because someone tested a Honda/Nissan/Infiniti and got improvements from a grounding kit does not automatically mean EVERY Honda, Nissan, Infiniti, or Toyota will benefit from the same modification. This same logic holds true for intakes, exhausts, and chassis braces.
Also, because a chassis brace is necessary on a racing vehicle does not mean it is advantageous to a street vehicle. Racing vehicles have stickier tires; are able to be driven without fear of cops, kids, and other cars; and operate at limits you absolutely cannot explore on the street. Because of this, many mods for racing vehicles are nothing but dead weight on a street vehicle. They may be pretty, your friends may go Oooooh and Aaahhh when they see them on your car, but when you put a watch to the car's performance you will very often be disappointed.
The biggest reason for getting a shock tower bar for your IS350 is because you want your friends to drool when you raise the hood. Much like running 19 or 20 inch wheels with fat lips, there is no mechanical performance advantage, but a huge visual performance advantage.
When I worked in the bike shop building road race bikes, we had ONE standard for modifications. Did you lap times go down? Yes? It was a good mod. No? Take it off and try something else, it's just dead weight.
This is not universally true. Some Toyotas do respond to these mods. Assuming because some do, that all will is where we see the most common mistakes. Just because someone tested a Honda/Nissan/Infiniti and got improvements from a grounding kit does not automatically mean EVERY Honda, Nissan, Infiniti, or Toyota will benefit from the same modification. This same logic holds true for intakes, exhausts, and chassis braces.
Also, because a chassis brace is necessary on a racing vehicle does not mean it is advantageous to a street vehicle. Racing vehicles have stickier tires; are able to be driven without fear of cops, kids, and other cars; and operate at limits you absolutely cannot explore on the street. Because of this, many mods for racing vehicles are nothing but dead weight on a street vehicle. They may be pretty, your friends may go Oooooh and Aaahhh when they see them on your car, but when you put a watch to the car's performance you will very often be disappointed.
The biggest reason for getting a shock tower bar for your IS350 is because you want your friends to drool when you raise the hood. Much like running 19 or 20 inch wheels with fat lips, there is no mechanical performance advantage, but a huge visual performance advantage.
When I worked in the bike shop building road race bikes, we had ONE standard for modifications. Did you lap times go down? Yes? It was a good mod. No? Take it off and try something else, it's just dead weight.
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