eBay strut tower brace for $45 is it any good?

Is there another brace that's just straight across with no bends?

 

The Carbing is the best looking brace I've seen yet! but for 24,800 Yen, that's over $300 USD + shipping and Import duties... Yeah I'll have to pass on that one... I guess there's only one way to find out, eBay here I come. I'll post how the install goes and what, if anything the $45 brace does.

 

I ordered the one from sabersport. Delivery is scheduled for July 11th I'll probally have to wait till next saturday (July 16th) so that I don't have to rush the install.
I'll make sure to post before, during and after pictures.

 

I've gotten the brace installed!
Here's the link to Gadgetdad's step by step installation instructions:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...-strut-tower-brace-install-pictures-text.html

These are awesome installation instructions!

If you scroll down to the third post, there's a link to a downloadable word file that you can print.

 

Here are some of my pictures:



Before Install:


I'd recomend making a bolt board, a piece of cardboard with holes where you can put the bolts so that they are clearly labeled, this way you don't loose bolts, and know where they go, and in what order:

During:


Measuring the Heighth of the bar, it hit the underside of the hood, so I lowered it more to about a finger and a half.



Here's a picture after the install:

 

The installation was easy, took about 45 minutes. If you know how to use a socket set you should have no issues. Now I have to drive it to test it out. I'll let you know if it makes a difference after I get a good test drive!

 

I took it for a quick drive and the steering felt a bit tighter. I'm waiting for a longer drive before I give a full review. I guess the problem is that I have nothing to compare it to other than not having the bar at all. I don't know if it is as good as the Tanabe bar or other bars. I do feel a difference, and for the price who can complain? I think the BT bar looks like the best bar, but from what I hear they are no longer available as the person who was manufacturing them passed away. Sad really. I'll update everyone soon.

 

I've driven the car two days now with the brace installed, I've driven approximately 240 miles. I've noticed that when I turn the wheel the steering feels a bit tighter and more responsive. At speeds above 50 mph the car is more stable, at 80 mph plus, steering was much more responsive vs. stock. I've also noticed that the wheels don't squeal as much when I take sharp turns.

As far as build quality it looks alright. Looks comparable to the Tanabe bar. I did notice where the bracket mounts up to the strut tower, the bracket only has spot welds. The Tanabe bar may be the same I don’t' know as the pictures on the Tanabe website don't show the mounting Brackets that well.





I had to remind myself that the bar was only $45 with shipping, it's the equivalent of $30 for the bar, and $15 for shipping. So I really can't complain. Especially since other braces are $100 or more.

I think the best bar is the BT Brace, but it's not available, so I think this is a good low cost alternative.

 

My wife and I are on a trip to visit her family in Georgia. Were taking turns driving. When we switched out and she started driving she said " what did you do to the car? It drives a lot nicer and there's less play in the steering. I turn the wheel and the car immediately turns. Now can you make it accelerate faster?"

So I'll take her statement that the car handles better as validation that the $45 brace is an improvement over stock and is a good low cost alternative to the Tanabe and other more expensive braces. I say if you're looking to improve the handling but not willing or able to spend $150 or more, get the ebay $45 brace.