I got some money back from taxes and I'm dumping it into my car. I want to get a STB and had a question. I was looking at different STB's and noticed BMR was the only one I saw who sold STB's for TPI's. Not neccisarily for TPI's, but accomodates them. Do I need something like this for fit quality purposes, or will pretty much any STB do? Also, is there really that big of a diffference between 3 point and 2 point. The 3 point is about $40.00 more and I was thinking since I have the money, might as well get the better one.

 

I thought I saw a Hotchiss unit in a TPI car. Give LPE a call and see what they say.

 

The BMR 2 point one is very good.
Also, avoid the kind with hinges, those will keep the strut towers at equal length but will allow the front end to flex.
It's hard to explain, but when you look at the design, you should be able to understand what I am saying.

 

I have the Hotchkis STB and its a good quality part. also it fits a TPI car. Its your call on a 2 or 3 point installation, they both do the job. The 3-point does clutter up the engine compartment more.
Also the two point design has pivot points on the end. Contrary to a previous comment, the purpose of the STB is to tie the struts supports toghter in sideways movement and need to flex in the up & down direction. Note: thats the direction the structs move.

After you install a STB you will notice a vast improvement in how tight the front end is now.

 

A steering brace, aka "wonder Bar" works in a very similar way but on the bottom of the car. If yours didn't come with one I would really recomend it. I got mine from http://www.top-downsolutions.com/ for 50$ it was awesome.

 

I'll second the TDS wonderbar....it's a very nice piece and made a BIG difference in the front end.

I'm with Zepher on the pivot issue....a bar with pivots will keep the strut towers from flexing inward, but it still lets them move side-to-side as long as it's in the same direction. A bar with welded mounts will keep the towers straighter under heavy loads.



If you haven't doen it yet, I STRONGLY recommend subframe connectors as the first chassis mod to any 3rd genner who isn't racing in a stock-chassis class. SFC's will tighten the car up more than any other single mod (except maybe a full cage,) and help reduce the rattles and squeaks that are so common to unibody cars.

 

Another misconception about the Steering Box Support (AKA wonder bar) it just does what it name says , it support the steering box for the additional load put on it by the 16x8 wheels and tires and nothing else. Also if you do not have a STB support, how do you know what it does?? Or do you just take another uninformed opinion about it.

 

Are you asking me if I know about the STB's?

 

87DJP2001,
WTF was the point of your post? Of course the steering box support bar supports the steering box...by tying both sides of the engine bay together from underneath. Same concept of subframe connectors and the STB. Tying together two seperate points on the car will make it stiffer at that point.

I don't have a supercharger so I guess I couldn't possibly know how it works...

 

Yes, since you are the expert.

 

Well, I have used the Edelbrock 3 point STB with the pivots, the hotchkis 2 point with pivots, Jamex 2 point with pivots, and the BMR 2 point solid bar and the BMR is the stiffest of the 4.
I've also used the BMR Wonderbar as well as the GM Wonderbar, didn't feel a difference between those two. Both felt the same, but I did feel a difference when they were put on.

 

k, thanx. I appreciate all your guys' input.
TheGreatJ - I'm already ordering the SFC's for sure next week. Thanks for the info though. I was just doing some research on the STB now.
I dont quite understand why some have the pivots in them though. What kind of driver would that be beneficial to? And I was thinking about getting the BMR, but still wondering 2 point or 3 point. If they both get the job done, I guess I might as well just save $40 and get the 2 point. After all, my car isn't ridiculously so powerful that I need every extra support.....at least not for another couple years.

 

So, what is the current opinion on which is better? Wonderbra or the STB?

 

Both are good upgrades, but serve different functions.
I have both, a stock Steering support and a Hotchkis STB.
I would say the STB adds more to the handling then the other.

 

Good you are doing the SFC's first , and then the STB this is good. When you do add the STB add the Wonder bar at the same time or before the STB or you will not be happy , adding a STB w/o the wonder bar will cause flex in the frame and defeat the purpose. Now as to two , or three point obviously the more points you connect the better , but your not raceing NASCAR so somethings are just overkill. Go with the two point for now( Hotchkis is good)and later down the road yes maybe you might want the three point or solid. As to the flex issue again your not running NASCAR , and for everyday driving there is such a thing as being too stiff. Then go with Poly bushings any place you can put them and some good shocks ( I run TOKICO Lumina's in the back/KYB AGX in the front) because they are ajustable , and they do what I want them to do. Yes there will be all kinds of comment as to what is good , and what is bad , but these points will get you started on the right path and what-ever parts you use is up to you that's how you learn. Good Luck !