Yes, the search has been done, but only found 50 threads about ebay strut bars.
Soo... I was wondering... Which would be the better choice for
OEM GM strut bar, or an aftermarket? I think Im gonna go with a GM one for my car, as it's cheap, easy to come by, and I like the fact that bolts to the firewall in two places...
anyone agree/disagree?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Monday, March 02, 2009 8:36 PM
Did I mention I drive a 2000 Lumina now?-----wigm-tuners.org member
Looks like I had the right Idea all along... I think I'll pull one at work tomorrow then. Advantages of working at a junkyard, eh?
Did I mention I drive a 2000 Lumina now?-----wigm-tuners.org member
since you work at a junkyard pull me a set of LSS Sideskirts haha. i just ditched my vert strut bar.
i find its best to go with o.e. a friend of mine got an ebay one that didnt fit right. I got mine at the yard for less than what he payed and its oe fitment. Go gm
I've been trying to find a vert bar for a while. haven't found one yet. it's the best one for the 95-97 2.2 LN2 guys like me.
OEM for sure. Some of the aftermarket ones are good and some I can bend over my knee like a curtain rod. I have a momo front very solid and a vibrant rear. Both of those are good bars.
FORGET GIRLS GONE WILD WE HAVE GOVERNMENT SPENDING GONE WILD!
I had a vert bar but I wanted a rear bar too....i bought a pair off of ebay. I put the vert bar n my dads sedan and the one from ebay on my Z. when the snow melts ill give it a test drive and let everyone know if i feel a change. The bars from ebay are pretty beefy feeling and heavier than the vert bar.
974drfire wrote:Looks like I had the right Idea all along... I think I'll pull one at work tomorrow then. Advantages of working at a junkyard, eh?
and ur just telling me this now why? wtf is wrong w/ u?
WiGM-Tuners member.
Egay solid bar all the way. The OE vert lacks alot when you actually compare. I got mine with adjustible end links so no fitment issues at all since I can shorten or lengthen to match the strut towers(and pre-load) and shipped to my door for $35.00 for both front and back.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edited Tuesday, March 03, 2009 7:27 AM
"Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience!" -Anonymous
02 redbadged (now premium) wrote:974drfire wrote:Looks like I had the right Idea all along... I think I'll pull one at work tomorrow then. Advantages of working at a junkyard, eh?
and ur just telling me this now why? wtf is wrong w/ u?
lol now you know
come up and check it out sometime!
Did I mention I drive a 2000 Lumina now?-----wigm-tuners.org member
974drfire wrote:Advantages of working at a junkyard, eh? 02 redbadged (now premium) wrote:and ur just telling me this now why? wtf is wrong w/ u?
No $hit right! Do you guys have any Sunfires at the yard? I have a few things I have been looking for...
Also, I have Vibrant front and rear strut bars. I couldn't be happier with them. They add some bling to the engine bay and trunk. They're $50 a piece which I don't think is too bad.
Vert bar, has a spot to bolt to the firewall too.
M62, 42's, ZZP 3", ZZP S3 H/E
214whp 190wtq
dc sports all the way.
Needing 2.3 oil pump stuff? PM me...
vert bar... i had a vibrant on mine and switched to the vert bar. it makes a noticeable difference with the firewall mounting tabs.
think about it this way. an aftermarket strut tower brace will tie the strut towers together. all this means is that they will flex uniformly but they will still flex depending on cornering load. the firewall mounting tabs are an extra precaution to help stop the flexing between the towers and will help reduce the movement even more.
if you want bling.. go aftermarket. if you want optimal bracing, go vert bar.
strat81 wrote:vert bar... i had a vibrant on mine and switched to the vert bar. it makes a noticeable difference with the firewall mounting tabs.
think about it this way. an aftermarket strut tower brace will tie the strut towers together. all this means is that they will flex uniformly but they will still flex depending on cornering load. the firewall mounting tabs are an extra precaution to help stop the flexing between the towers and will help reduce the movement even more.
if you want bling.. go aftermarket. if you want optimal bracing, go vert bar.
Please tell me how much force you really think those @!#$ty glorified sheet metal screws into the firewall will stiffen up the strut towers......really. Solid strut bar for the win. I'd calibrate your "butt skid pad"(similar to the butt dyno) and try again. Those screws will only keep the bar from deforming under load, easily solved by getting a good solid bar.
"Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience!" -Anonymous
J TO ENVY wrote: 974drfire wrote:Advantages of working at a junkyard, eh? 02 redbadged (now premium) wrote:and ur just telling me this now why? wtf is wrong w/ u?
No $hit right! Do you guys have any Sunfires at the yard? I have a few things I have been looking for...
Also, I have Vibrant front and rear strut bars. I couldn't be happier with them. They add some bling to the engine bay and trunk. They're $50 a piece which I don't think is too bad.
I got the bar today from the yard and installed it... everything but the firewall bolt, as I'm gonna have to take off the intake manifold to get a drill in there to make a hole for the bolt to go through.
Carrie: what exactly do you need? we have a few out there, along with a few cavalier sedans, and one 04 sunfire coupe. lol half my car is from the yard.
Did I mention I drive a 2000 Lumina now?-----wigm-tuners.org member
^^^ why do you need to take the intake manifold off? why not take the wipers/cowl off and get a nice 90 degree drill and do it that way?
Needing 2.3 oil pump stuff? PM me...
I didn't even need a 90' drill.
You @!#$ are confusing me. Must be this 2.2/2200 nonsense.
Joshua, most of the better aftermarket front strut bars that mount to the firewall are similar to the Vert bar we're using with better results than just a straight bar.
My only wish with the vert bar is that it actually had a bar going straight to the strut towers while still connecting to the firewall. this would be true three point bracing whereas the vert bar is a semi three way brace.
Either way, I prefer the vert bar with the dual firewall bolts.
Good discussion btw.
Misnblu.com
Newbie member since 1999
Thank you Dave and JBO! 
i got the ebay cheapie, works fine, had to put a little bend in it to clear the IAC ('96 2.2). i figured it would be easy because its aluminum, but i had to heat it up. strong bar. i would prefer a gm bar tho.....
actually... I don't have "@!#$ty screws" holding mine in place. the bar I have lined up perfectly with two bolts already on the firewall on my 02.
i said it acts as a precaution and helps prevent side to side flex. i never said it will completely stop the strut towers from flexing.
I do stand by the fact that it will HELP to brace the strut towers even more than if the mounting was not there at all.
eh, either way, they will both do a good job, but the vert bar won't be in the way...i'll be going with that....still gonna make it look nice before i put it in...we can all have a little "bling"!
I have vibrant fronts and rears.
Instantly noticeable change compared to stock.
You can also get a K-brace. That's even better. Not too expensive either.
