Strut Tower bar for 2010 MS3

[JTMS3]

Anyone have any suggestions on which one would be good to use? Thanks!

 

[eg6motion]

you might have better luck in the 2010 thread, the tower bars aren't compatible with the previous ms3 so not many people will have input

 

[JTMS3]

will do, thanks

 

[GoFast]

thread moved

 

[gogogomoveit]

I thought the car itself already has a front strut tower bar?

 

[JTMS3]

I thought the car itself already has a front strut tower bar?

When you bought the car there was a tower bar installed? Maybe you are thinking of the lower stabilizer bar, I am talking about the tower bar in the engine bay. I know CS has one but I am really not in the mood to spend almost $300 on one.

 

[Kingof3rdinput]

I've read over and over that they're a waste on the 2nd gens. Also, at first glance, there's a lot of plastic that's in the way.

 

[omfg its jeremy]

http://www.corksport.com/corksport-strut-bar-avant.html

you mean that?

 

[gogogomoveit]

When you bought the car there was a tower bar installed? Maybe you are thinking of the lower stabilizer bar, I am talking about the tower bar in the engine bay. I know CS has one but I am really not in the mood to spend almost $300 on one.

Dont worry. I can tell the different between a strut tower bar, and a stabilizer bar (anti-roll bar/sway bar)

I ripped this picture from Edmunds Inside line so that it is easier to illustrate.You can see where the black mounting plate on the strut towers(where the three strut tower bolts are bolted onto). When I first saw it on my car, I thought it is a strut bar recessed under the black plastic fairing for the wipers, but i just checked under the hood,it turns out it is bolted to a pretty substantial front cross-member on the unibody structure. If that's indeed the case, then it really will negate any purpose of an aftermarket strut bar, except solely for aesthetic purposes.

 

[fateexceeds]

Does anyone here own the CorkSport bar for the 3s? Looking for reviews/opinions before I buy - do you notice a difference?

I had put a strut bar from a Speed Protege on my old Protege ES and could definitely feel the improvement; however, I also noticed what gogogomoveit pointed out above, so I'm uncertain if it's worth putting one on the 3s.

 

[special--k]

As stated above, it would only be for the look. The body of this car is already stiff, and i cant imaging the CS bar would make a huge difference.

 

[JTMS3]

This was the strut bar I was referring too. So basically most of you feel there is no need for this option? Is CS just selling one to say they have one designed for MS3 for looks?

http://www.corksport.com/autoexe-front-strut-tower-bar-2010-mazdaspeed-3.html

 

[DarkSpeed3]

Its pretty pointless.

 

[Lord_Zath]

I'd look into upgrading the swaybars. more bang for buck.

 

[fateexceeds]

Its pretty pointless.

I'm not so sure now. I'd like to see what one of the guys from Corksport has to say about this. It seems they test everything they build pretty rigorously, and I doubt they'd go through the trouble of R&Ding a product that was useless.

 

[fateexceeds]

I had a conversation with Derrick from CorkSport via PM, and he said they are currently testing a strut bar for the MS3 and will have data when it's ready to release. I, for one, look forward to seeing the results!

 

[fateexceeds]

This was the strut bar I was referring too. So basically most of you feel there is no need for this option? Is CS just selling one to say they have one designed for MS3 for looks?

http://www.corksport.com/autoexe-front-strut-tower-bar-2010-mazdaspeed-3.html

I just realized you are referring to the auto exe bar. CS didn't design this, they import it from Japan, thus, the high cost (exhange rate sucks right now - weak dollar).

also, I decided to order CS's bar for the '10 Mz3 anyway, so I will let everyone know if I notice any difference when it's installed.

 

[fateexceeds]

FYI - CS strut bar for Mz3 out of stock until June 11th

 

[fateexceeds]

FYI - CS strut bar for Mz3 out of stock until June 11th

strut bar shipped Thurs., more than a week earlier than quoted! I should have it on the 10th, so I'll hopefully post pics then.

 

[fateexceeds]

update: I've been driving with the CS bar for a week now, and I'm definitely noticing the bar more as I've been able to experience much more diverse driving situations (highway ramps, twisty back roads, city streets, even a tight spiral ramp exiting a parking garage). conclusion: anyone who says it's just engine bay bling hasn't driven with one installed - you will notice a difference!