Steeda parts on the way

[Ryan Goodlett]

Not that I drive my hybrid like I am on the race track or anything, but I have some suspension parts on the way. Ordered the strut tower brace and the rear sway bar. The price for both just seemed too low for the additional handling. Ill give a follow up when I get them bolted on.

[Ryan Goodlett]

Got my parts in today. I installed the strut tower brace tonight and took it for a test drive. I had forgot to mention that I also got the hood strut kit. What was great about ordering both parts was the one time installation. They both mount on the strut towers and the instructions to the hood strut kit include details on how to mount both together. I had a little issue with bolt hole alignment of the strut tower brace on the passenger side. Took my dremel and opened it up. Installation including the tiny amount of modding the parts took approx 75 minutes while I was talking to a friend. End result was a test drive with some tight and not so tight turns. I noticed it was quite a bit stiffer just driving out of my driveway and the transition from my driveway to the street. The strut brace seems to take out a lot of body roll and the pushing of the front end when you turn. It really keeps the tires planted squarely as well. Almost so much that you feel that the roll center of the car has drastically changed. I recommend the strut tower brace to anyone who wants a more responsive feel in the steering wheel, seat, and chassis. Well worth the money.

 

Still need to install the rear sway bar. If the improvement so far is any indication, I am pretty stoked about what the car will be like after some more modding.

Edited June 25, 2014 by Ryan Goodlett

[mwr]

Any change in ride comfort?

[darrelld]

Got my parts in today. I installed the strut tower brace tonight and took it for a test drive. I had forgot to mention that I also got the hood strut kit. What was great about ordering both parts was the one time installation. They both mount on the strut towers and the instructions to the hood strut kit include details on how to mount both together. I had a little issue with bolt hole alignment of the strut tower brace on the passenger side. Took my dremel and opened it up. Installation including the tiny amount of modding the parts took approx 75 minutes while I was talking to a friend. End result was a test drive with some tight and not so tight turns. I noticed it was quite a bit stiffer just driving out of my driveway and the transition from my driveway to the street. The strut brace seems to take out a lot of body roll and the pushing of the front end when you turn. It really keeps the tires planted squarely as well. Almost so much that you feel that the roll center of the car has drastically changed. I recommend the strut tower brace to anyone who wants a more responsive feel in the steering wheel, seat, and chassis. Well worth the money.

 

Still need to install the rear sway bar. If the improvement so far is any indication, I am pretty stoked about what the car will be like after some more modding.

 

What tires are you running?

[Ryan Goodlett]

The ride comfort is fine. Same as before. I didn't really notice a change in it this morning other than the body roll isn't there and the steering is more responsive. You feel it in the steering wheel and the seat back. Point and it goes versus point and it would have some type of delay as the tires gripped the pavement, body roll, and then it goes. . If there was a change at all is that the chassis flex is minimized and it forces the springs and struts to work harder.

 

I have 20x8.5 convex wheels with 245/35/20 good year all season tires on it.

[marklally]

Ryan, please give us an update on the rear sway bar results.

[Ryan Goodlett]

I wish I could. Work has been so busy that I haven't had time to install it. In fact thank you for reminding me it is in the garage waiting. :)

[marklally]

I installed the strut tower brace and the rear sway bar on mine the other day, it's a huge improvement. I couldn't expect a car to handle any better than this while maintaing such a good ride.

[Ryan Goodlett]

So my long delay has come to an end. I installed the rear sway bar about 1.5 months ago and you can tell a difference. Because I installed the strut brace and sway bar at separate times, I would have to say the strut brace makes the bigger difference of the two if you have to make a choice. The rear sway bar is most noticeable in long sweeping corners both flat and banked. While I didn't feel that my car was twitchy at the least, it has a smooth entrance and exit to a corner, but it is in the middle of the corner where it is most noticeable. When you come upon the apex as well as just part it.

 

Hope this helps.

[acdii]

Anything that can stiffen the body is an improvement. The upper strut brace removes any flex that occurs at the top of the front struts when cornering. The sway bar helps to keep the tires planted on turns, so each has its own unique task. If a rear strut brace could be added, then the car could be driven on a road course with ease. It's close as it is, best handling sedan I have driven since the 2010 Sport. This is the main reason I traded up to it from the 2010 FFH, it handles so well without mods. Mods can only make it even better. OP put the right stuff on, thats for sure!

[mwr]

Has anyone priced labor to install both, of course by a competant shop? Please don't reply telling me how easy it is to DIY; You really don't know how bad I am with tools in my hand.

Edited January 20, 2015 by mwr

[acdii]

Best guess would be 3 hours labor, so based on the shops rates * 3 would be a fair guess. Should be more than an hour to do the tower brace, and 2 for the rear sway.