Sry don't know if this should be in the aftermarket thread or the suspension thread but i'll put it here... sorry please move if it's in the wrong section

So I'm in the market for new strut bar and can't decide between Mazdaspeed or cusco. I dont know anyone with cusco strut bars and would think since they are such a reliable company that they would be nothing but top of the line. The only thing holding me back from purchasing struts (rear and front) is deciding which one...

so if you guys could please help me out
Are there any numbers that go along with the MS strut bars or the cusco ones? percentages such as how much more rigid or tight it will make my chasis compared to stock? how thick are the strut bars etc.?

i can't seem to find this information anywhere... all the vendors just sell it and don't put up numbers :/ are the benefits worth it?

thanks guys

 

YES wrong section => suspension
...
go with MS
the benefits are worth it
no numbers

 

uhmm... i put it in this section cuz of mazdaspeed but i guess i shouldve put it in suspension, thats why i told the mods to move it if it were wrong

y do you say MS... do you have the MS? cusco is just as reputable as mazdaspeed.
what benefits are u talking about?
cuz with no numbers... you won't be able to tell how significant the benefits are...


so ne1 have ne OTHER opinions on which strut bars i should get and why?

 

although the mazdaspeed is more expensive than the cusco, i believe the price is justified. it has a piece which slightly relocates your brake booster master cylinder, keeping it more steady and i away from heat? (not sure about the 2nd part). this will give improved brake feel, resulting in more confident stops.

 

the mazdaspeed is only 10 dollars more expensive... and i dont quite understand how the strut bar can help with breakin...

can anyone elaborate?

 

I've been debating strut bars as well...going between 4 point braces or the Mazdaspeed strut for its brake master cylinder brace. Basically the Mazdaspeed bar also has a brace sticking out of the right side that will prevent your brake master cylinder from moving forward too much during hard braking. The result is a firmer feel to the brake pedal. Take a close look at a pic of it, you'll see it. I actually think the RX-8's brake pedal is pretty darn tight as it is, enough to give me a sore right leg with extended trips. Dunno if I'd want the pedal to be even firmer.

 

Short thread, any other opinions?

 

You're gona have a hard time finding 'numbers' for strut bars. It does whatever you 'feel' it's doing / going to do, nobody I've seen has done any testing. Also there are plenty of other strut bars out there, why not start start w/an open mind and the search button (sorry it's true). At least you'll see some opinions.

 

Trust me I have exhusted the search.

I am thinking about getting the Mazdaspeed front strut brace and then I like the way the Autoexec rear brace is designed so I would like to put that in the back.

Anybody have opinions as to mixing different braces and if you can buy the Autoexec rear brace sepperatly? I have only seen the Autoexec braces sold with the front and back together.

 

well i have the ms front 2 pt strut bar and the rear cf jic strut bar and i have no complaints watsover

 

you also have no better performance, but I suppose bling has it's purpose too ...

 

That is what I am wondering. The Mazdaspeed at least will support the brakes besides holding the top front struts appart, but as fas as the rear, a two point piece doesn't look like it will do anything.

To me the Autoexec rear might do something like stiffen up the backend.

 

Maybe TeamRX8 could find a job where he (?) gets paid to **** on people. He does it for free all the time at rx8club.com, so why not turn a hobby into the job of his dreams?

-Kabong

 

^lol

 

hahahha

 

hehe good one

 

I'm actually in the market for strut bars and sways right now. I looked into the Tanabe setup (went to their sight) and don't know if anyone on here their sways and/or struts. Would really like to know about their stuff and how it performs. I am also interested in the MS. But $$.

I might end up being a pioneer and writing a Tanabe review at rx8club soon.

 

I've got the JIC front and rear strut bars. Did I notice a difference? Nope. But I didn't expect to, either. I'm simply of the opinion that a bit of chassis re-enforcement isn't a bad idea, especially if you're going to be adding more power and stiffer coilovers.

Also have the Whiteline sways, the rest of my suspension is OEM. So far so good, but with the Chicago winter I really have yet to be able to truly put them to the test. The car is much more responsive but as others have reported, the Whiteline's are not light. The Whiteline sways are also ~20-30% stiffer in the rear as compared to the front, which should make the rear a bit looser than it was before.