DO STRUT BARS REALLY WORK? J's Racing strut bar install FK8

Today we discuss how effective strut bars really are and install the J's Racing strut bar on my FK8 Civic Type R. My main motivation for this mod is not for the added chassis rigidity but to be used as a support mod for something else later this year. You'll have to wait to find out why so stay tuned!
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[@raging_carnut]

Video begins at 1:50 if you're interested

[@thosetwodudes]

Dude drives a Type R with a baby, thats awesome. I'm rocking an Accord stick shift with mods. I call it an Accord Si, and I've got 2 year old twins. Daddy's car is the coolest at carpool, and the most dad car at track day!

[@GridZilla]

Heck yeah! 👊🏽

[@Group_Anonymous]

😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@autotunerfanatic2586]

Struts are mainly energy transference tools, they do work, every bump you take at cornering or even driving straight is energy being transfered from the tire to the strut to the tower

[@GridZilla]

Agreed but depending on the chassis design and the strut bar design the effect of the strut bar may have little to now effect.

[@autotunerfanatic2586]

@@GridZilla well i believe depending on the conditions and the way you drive the car is going to make a difference; if you are a track junkie bars are a must, but for a sunday drive or a normal drive is not going to make a difference. My first mods are always struts and sway bars because im crazy about the handling 😅, thats just me.

[@inasimulationwelive]

In straight line is just weight in the car

[@markymark560]

I recently put a strut bar on my Toyota. Its steel and has no hinges. It has made a difference to the feel of the car. The steering feels more direct under acceleration and the steering just kind of feels more solid. The car is a bit more direct under fast cornering as well. All the changes are quite subtle but I would say worth it. One thing I wasn't expecting is how hot it gets from the engine.

[@GridZilla]

Which Toyota are you driving?

[@markymark560]

@@GridZilla its a toyota camry 1998 thats lowered with a number of suspension upgrades.

[@GridZilla]

@@markymark560 ok but as mentioned in the video, most modern sports/enthusiast cars will not benefit as much from a strut tower bar like an older 90’s family sedan would.

[@markymark560]

@@GridZilla yeh true.

[@dailydad6335]

I have 7th gen civic 2003 will make a difference?

[@GridZilla]

I realize the answer isn't crystal clear so for those wondering what my ultimate thoughts are on this I'd say the answer is implied. Solid strut bar no hinges vs Lighter weight aluminum with Hinges. I didn’t feel much of a difference with regular driving but might feel more of a difference on track. In other words it’s really a toss up but the solid strut bars are more likely to be more effective than the multi piece strut bars. Older vehicles with aged chassis technologies would likely benefit more from something like this as newer chassis's have gotten much stiffer straight out the factory. Having said that, bracing is bracing. If you like it for looks, go for it. If you want it for more chassis rigidness, the difference in a modern car might be negligible but certainly won't hurt. Thanks for watching!

[@marsrocket]

I assume the CTR has a stiffer suspension than my Sport touring hatch; would that make a strut bar more or less likely to make a difference for me? Or is the factory suspension already good to the point where it's hard to improve without spending tons of $$$?

[@GridZilla]

Daniel Segel other than the name “Civic” in the back of your car and a CTR the two cats couldn’t be more different from a performance stand point. Yes the suspension on the CTR is really good from the factory but it can be improved on

[@ValkenDnB]

Seems like I’ll be getting a one piece design if this two piece isn’t doing much. Makes sense.

[@axelreyes2935]

Love how you keep it real. Regardless of the communities die hard stances. Honest truth is cars are more rigid and sturdy out of the factory. Especially a car like the type R that track ready out of the box

[@axelreyes2935]

Love how you keep it real. Regardless of the communities die hard stances. Honest truth is cars are more rigid and sturdy out of the factory. Especially a car like the type R that track ready out of the box. Needed to hear this truth. I have a 21 ctr and was considering a strut bar but felt it was mostly for looks and I’ve already spent a good bit on mods. Can’t justify it so I won’t buy it (at this time lol)

[@GridZilla]

Nothing wrong with a little engine bling either. 😁

[@georgeleach4047]

Yes they do!

[@GridZilla]

Better for some cars than others

[@shaunchristensen4386]

Michael I always love your content !! I have been watching your amazing videos for some time now!! Last April I bought a 2019 Sonic Gray Pearl Type R!! Prior to that I have owned 4 different years of civic Si’s! I owned a 09’ , 12, 14, and a 17!! I have loved each one!! A dream of mine was to get a Type R but didn’t know if I could find one at MSRP!! I ended up getting a new type R for MSRP! In a year I put 2,800 miles on it!! Not a lot of miles because i have spent a lot of time in hospitals and recovery from a few things, but I have loved every mile! I am going to hold on to this car for a while because I nearly have it paid off and I feel it would be a great car to keep!! I am keeping it stock beside 18” wheels and tires I put on it! I saw the 2020 type R changes and am probably not going to trade up !! If Honda would have done an increase in power I would consider it!! Your channel has been one of my favorite and I enjoy the videos!! Keep up the great work Michael and I look forward to seeing your next video!!🚙🚙

[@GridZilla]

Shaun Christensen ❤️ I appreciate you Shaun. I’ve always seen you around supporting the channel brotha. It means a lot to me. Blessings to you and speedy recovery homie. You deserve the Type R and it will gives you many years of enjoyment. 👊🏽🤜🏽🤛🏽🏎💨

[@shaunchristensen4386]

Thanks so much Michael!! Your kind words mean a lot !! I Will definitely talk again soon!! I look forward to the next video!! 🚙🚙

[@christopherdaniel2747]

The age of the car has a lot to do with it. I installed a lower tie bar on my old ek and the difference was like night and day, it's been years now an I need to do the upper and front.......might do the c pillar "for the boys" lol I'm not sure

[@GridZilla]

christopher daniel bushings on older cars can help. It’s not only age but advances in design, materials and general technology.

[@Inobscurity-n7j]

I saw this video a while back. I know my 11 gen civic is not going to drive or handle any better, but I installed a front bar today anyway. Similar to the one here. I just wanted it and like the way it looks. I also have some carbon fiber crap on the way because I like the way it looks. Thanks for the video.

[@GridZilla]

Not going to lie… I like the way a lot of these parts look too. Enjoy your car, make it your own, it’s a statement of your style and no matter what style that is, it’s cool 😎

[@InfinitePanda_x]

I currently got the Blitz strut bar but really want to install the J’s I seriously like the look of it.

[@GridZilla]

It does look good

[@303wrx]

This video made me really want some In-N-Out. Lol. They're finally coming to Colorado later this year!

[@GridZilla]

lol yeah it's so good. Animal style everything!

[@cindysue5474]

@@GridZilla But their fry's are horrible lols.

[@GridZilla]

Cindy Sue I like their fries! 😅 you can ask them to make them crispier and then of course there is always animal style.

[@steveno4289]

@@cindysue5474 Truth

[@Mikertt]

I just watched your video and noticed the location of first part. Is that the Hercules waterfront by any chance? It looks so familiar to me since I've taken photos of my car there before.

[@GridZilla]

One lake 😁

[@Mikertt]

@@GridZilla Oh, cool. It just looked so similar to the one near me in Hercules. Awesome content man.

[@GridZilla]

@@Mikertt oh yeah actually this video was in Hercules lol I’ve moved since then

[@AlasTVRisHere]

Before watching, I'd say no for this car as the tower is right there at the bulkhead anyhow. But you know I'm gonna watch either way.... Damn click bait, Michael...😅

[@GridZilla]

AlasTVRisHere 🤣 I appreciate you! 🙏🏽😈🏎💨

[@agusirianto5729]

why dont you eat first then shoot the video?

[@GridZilla]

Thanks for the suggestion but the point of exposing everything is to show you that I’m just a regular guy like the rest of you. Plus my time is so limited that filming when I can sometimes presents challenges like this one.

[@agusirianto5729]

@@GridZilla appreciate it man, keep up the good work. are you a pro race driver?

[@GridZilla]

@@agusirianto5729 noooo not at all 😂 just a regular car enthusiast guy.

[@rameshmantha1015]

​@@GridZilla We dont need to see you eat. Eating was intentional and inserted for burnishing the "regular car enthusiast guy" image. We are requesting you to skip it next time. Thanks for the video.

[@JeriDro]

did you just add salt to your fries? this guy lives dangerously!

[@GridZilla]

🤣

[@morvs12]

Daly City🔥👌🏼

[@alexvaldivia4420]

Question , would this fit on the fk7? The sport hatchback model?

[@GridZilla]

No idea

[@CODgod357]

Most bars I’ve seen online are compatible with both FK8 and 7 but No guarantees

[@mjolnir6215]

I have the J’s racing rear strut bar on my Fk7 (2019) and it’s from a type R

[@BimmerMafia]

Looks like 2 flex points to me.. looks good aesthetically

[@josephhuffstetler6569]

What about a solid piece of carbon steel no moving parts just bolts right on?

[@GridZilla]

Sure that would be more rigid for sure but it’s also about the effect you’re going for. Anytime you stiffen up the chassis up front you are introducing more understeer.

[@josephhuffstetler6569]

@@GridZilla ok but I can adjust the camber to counter that correct?

[@GridZilla]

@@josephhuffstetler6569 within reason yeah. The idea is to get the whole car working together in harmony, not modifying one thing so you’ll have to correct it with another mod

[@josephhuffstetler6569]

@@GridZilla yea I understand that. I went with the dc sports carbon steel front strut tower bar. And I haven’t noticed any under steer problems from it, but I had planned on adjusting the camber just a bit but haven’t found a reason to do so yet. I do understand what your saying though. It’s just modding a factory stock vehicle I would think a lot of tweaking would be needed, correct? I’m waiting on my front/rear sway bars and linkages. Not planning on putting a rear tower strut bar on from my research there’s really no reason for one. The rear already even factory is very stable, but the rear sway bar will stiffen it up just as well. From what I’ve heard and researched. Pretty much all the drivetrain parts have been swapped to upgraded parts hubs springs(trd) new struts all that. And I plan on, even though people don’t recommend it slapping a small turbo on there not so much for power but for economy reasons but also to have that little extra power to work with.. supercharger is also an option just having a harder time finding one compatible other than the trd thats not pushing crazy amounts of power.

[@Group_Anonymous]

Watch in 2x speed

[@GridZilla]

Yeah I can get a bit long winded lol

[@weduhpeople8504]

Just installed this and I’m rubbing my tires like crazy. Removed peg awhile ago on Eibach pros, bent that tab and rolled the fender lip. I’m going to install a adjustable camber plate and add more neg camber to clear it. Is yours rubbing?

[@GridZilla]

Nope but I run negative camber

[@weduhpeople8504]

The rubbing I heard was the underpanel bent from hanging and grinding on the road. A worker forgot to reinstall all the clips after an install. 🤨

[@chasepineda2585]

@@weduhpeople8504 what car? And rubbing in the front?

[@jasonboyle7203]

Looks the part ain't feel the need for road driving. Have the prl intake hose and drop in filter some more woosh lol

[@antosfunb]

Hi, I need to remove my long plastics off in order for my strut brace to fit, my question is do I keep them off after or put back on

[@GridZilla]

Goes back on

[@freenix3036]

Strut bar or sway bar is better?

[@GridZilla]

FreeNix PJ for handling the rear sway bar is far more effective than the front strut bar

[@freenix3036]

@@GridZilla why they always talk about front strut and rear sway bar? Is front sway and rear strut bar is not that important?

[@GridZilla]

FreeNix PJ depends on you car. Fwd vs rwd

[@freenix3036]

@@GridZilla so fwd should go with front strut+rear sway bar and for rwd is opposite?

[@freenix3036]

@@GridZilla how about getting both sway bar instead of strut bar?

[@phunkdoctaspock]

Today's vehicles, they're useless on them.

[@Spadookie]

I agree, the firewall is so close to the towers now its pointless.

[@aarongaynes4912]

Where's the video where you reveal the bigger reason you got the strut tower bar??!?!?!

[@GridZilla]

Hardcore suspension

[@3kingkool]

The baby is cool

[@GridZilla]

🥰

[@djpreview]

Let me guess - JRZ!

[@badddogg007]

Where can I purchase one from?

[@GridZilla]

Hit up @219Auto on instagram or facebook

[@maksymchernov1593]

Can’t believe there are ppl out there who have someone else install a strut bar for them 🤦‍♂️

[@GridZilla]

When you have a baby strapped to you yeah I’m having someone else do it. There was also other general maintenance thing done this day too.

[@jessemartinez11]

Where you get your front license plate mount

[@GridZilla]

Thats the evs lic plate bracket from Evasive

[@KobeCorona-uj3zb]

Get a DC strut bars no flex

[@GridZilla]

Never really got it for the additional stiffness

[@alitoroganan2442]

bro does it say j's racing anywhere on the bar?

[@GridZilla]

Ali Toroganan they give you a sticker. Mine is on the driver side of the bar

[@alitoroganan2442]

@@GridZilla just a sticky, nothing embossed on engraved?

[@GridZilla]

Ali Toroganan just a sticky

[@alitoroganan2442]

@@GridZilla appreciate the inputs mr Baxi

[@Robbie2Fly]

People might take you more seriously if you don't talk with your mouth full. Lol!! J/K

[@GridZilla]

Lol

[@4Sandrix]

a clickbait video just to show of your own strut bar instal lol. NO actual info.

[@GridZilla]

There was an entire discussion about whether strut bars are useful or no but ok

[@Juan-xz8tg]

I gained nothing from this video.

[@GridZilla]

Was there more specific info you were looking for?

[@spikeboi55]

@@GridZilla the end result!!! How did it feel on the track. Does the strut bar actually work. Hence the title of the video

[@GridZilla]

@@spikeboi55 didn’t really feel much of a difference tbh.