Front Upper Strut Bar Recommendations

[Grahf]

I was just looking around and was hoping for some advice/considerations in picking out a tower strut bar. I was looking at the ESP 3 point bar and thought it looked nice, however should I be concerned with if the bar is fixed or adjustable, what type of bar it is, does the quality differ dramatically between brands, what are considered consistently superior brands, etc. Thank you.

[sonikaccord]

Adjustable bars are less rigid than fixed bars, they allow flexing at the adjustment point.
I really don't know the advantage of an adjustable bar, more tension I suppose.

As long as the bar is made out of good quality metal (aluminum or I prefer steel) you should be fine. the ESP three point bar will not fit over the double stack IAB. Go for something name brand at least. unless you are doing some serious racing it may not make much of a difference.

I have the ESP 3 point, it is definitely solid.

[93accordexcoupe]

^^My ESP 3 point bar clears my double stacked manifold. It did with my f22 and still does on my H.

[sonikaccord]

It doesn't clear mine at all, I have the F. Did you have the mounts as well?

[deevergote]

Fixed is definitely better than adjustable. However, a decent adjustable bar can still be functional, such as the DC Sports design... I have a Megan Racing knockoff version of that on my car, and the difference was noticeable. The cheaper, flimsier looking ones bend... and they're utterly worthless.
The best bars you'll find are the ESP bar and the Neuspeed bar (which won't clear a DOHC engine.)

[islandhopper]

If you have an F22A i'd recommend a Neuspeed bar. I've had mine for ages and i LOVE it. Very rigid one-piece non adjustable strut brace. I had a cheap eBay special bar and a name brand Ractive bar. The neuspeed bar is superior to both of them.


Pic for reference...

[93accordexcoupe]

It doesn't clear mine at all, I have the F. Did you have the mounts as well?

Yea i have all 4 ESP mounts as well. My tranny mount is the auto to 5spd one. Which shouldnt make that much of a difference.

Its definitely close.

[deevergote]

Ractive is kinda... ebay... Well, not so much ebay... but hell, you could buy Ractive parts in Circuit City! But yeah, better than the super cheap junk.

I wish I could run the Neuspeed bar. Though my car was hit before I got it, and the front end is tweaked. Even if I didn't have an H22A, I probably wouldn't be able to get a solid bar on there.
That's something to consider with a solid bar as well. If your car isn't perfectly straight, getting it on is going to be difficult... or impossible. The adjustable ones offer a little more flexibility that way (literally!)

[93accordexcoupe]

Ractive is kinda... ebay... Well, not so much ebay... but hell, you could buy Ractive parts in Circuit City! But yeah, better than the super cheap junk.

I wish I could run the Neuspeed bar. Though my car was hit before I got it, and the front end is tweaked. Even if I didn't have an H22A, I probably wouldn't be able to get a solid bar on there.
That's something to consider with a solid bar as well. If your car isn't perfectly straight, getting it on is going to be difficult... or impossible. The adjustable ones offer a little more flexibility that way (literally!)

My car hasnt been in a single accident and we had to jack up each side to get the bar down and in the right spot. Even with a (assuming) straight car, it can still be a bitch.

[deevergote]

That's true. Especially after 20+ years on the road. I'm sure our chassis wasn't exactly the stiffest on the market when it was released... and it's had all that time to warp itself!
I heard the Neuspeed bar is much the same way. A hassle to get on, even on a known-undamaged car. That's why such things would be damn near impossible if the front end were tweaked!

When I installed my traction bar (getting slightly off topic here), I was unable to line up the bolt holes. Ended up stripping a few of them. I had to get the bar welded to my frame!

[Grahf]

I'm definitely feeling the ESP and Neuspeed bars. I currently have a f22a sohc but will eventually swap for a f20a dohc. Since the Neuspeed won't clear a dohc, I'm assuming I should opt for the ESP? And it shouldn't have a problem clearing my current engine?

[illinois_erik]

My SE came with some no name adjustable bar, but there is a big difference between running it and not, its aluminum and steel. I think the adjustables just facilitate easier installation due to chassis tweaking. Youre supposed to install them with the front jacked up and no load on the suspension. For the LX Im swapping an H in I got an ESP 3 point but have yet to install it.

[sonikaccord]

Maybe I should rephrase. I'm uncomfortable with clearance the bar has with my plenum. It is a bear to fit too.

[deevergote]

I'm definitely feeling the ESP and Neuspeed bars. I currently have a f22a sohc but will eventually swap for a f20a dohc. Since the Neuspeed won't clear a dohc, I'm assuming I should opt for the ESP? And it shouldn't have a problem clearing my current engine?

Why bother with the DOHC? The performance potential isn't really that much better. An H23A1 intake manifold would put an F22A6 at F20A power levels, with more torque!
To me, the only attraction to the F20A is that it is the only DOHC engine that ever came in the CB chassis... so for the sake of chassis-purity, it's the top of the line.

Still, if you're going through the hassle of a DOHC swap, I'd say get something that's at least supported by US Honda dealers and parts stores. H22A or H23A1.


Anyway, sorry... off topic. Regardless, definitely take into account the fitment issues mentioned here. No Neuspeed bar if you have DOHC plans, and do a bit more research on the ESP bar if you plan on a plenum spacer.

sonikaccord, do you have any pictures showing the clearance with and/or without the double-stack?

[Grahf]

Why bother with the DOHC? The performance potential isn't really that much better. An H23A1 intake manifold would put an F22A6 at F20A power levels, with more torque!
To me, the only attraction to the F20A is that it is the only DOHC engine that ever came in the CB chassis... so for the sake of chassis-purity, it's the top of the line.

Still, if you're going through the hassle of a DOHC swap, I'd say get something that's at least supported by US Honda dealers and parts stores. H22A or H23A1.


Anyway, sorry... off topic. Regardless, definitely take into account the fitment issues mentioned here. No Neuspeed bar if you have DOHC plans, and do a bit more research on the ESP bar if you plan on a plenum spacer.

sonikaccord, do you have any pictures showing the clearance with and/or without the double-stack?

That's exactly the reason why I chose to go with the f20a dohc, for the sake of chasis-purity reasons. I plan on running my current motor to the ground, ofcourse maintaining it to the best of my ability. Then have the dohc and manual tranny ready for the swap. Most of my parts are oem with a few exceptions that can't be helped. Thanks again for everyones input. It'll be nice to get an ESP bar and help a fellow cb7 tuner's shop out. I'll do a bit more research before the final purchase has been made.