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Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

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Old 12-27-2004, 10:56 PM
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Lightbulb Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

I'm almost pefectly happy with my suspension set-up for the 2004 Crossfire with the Eibach Springs and Koni Sport Dampers and a -.5 camber adjustment.

The only thing is that I have still experienced some minor body roll on the track which causes some understeer. Obviously I have not been able to find a Strut Bar Tower Kit for the Crossfire, so I have decided to design one and out-source it to a local fabricator. After measurements and CAD are completed, I should take delivery in late January.

Also, for those of you who have been in the market for a Anti-Roll Bar Kit, the only manufacturer that produced the kit for the SLK320, and provided it to Eibach and CTD-Germany, has discontinued the product.

I am also designing that system and am out-sourcing to the same steel fabricator. I have also found a supplier for race quality bushings.

I will say one thing, I should have researched the "LACK OF" aftermarket products before I bought this damn car... Now it is turning into an engineering project.

PS. For those of you still looking at Supercharging, take a look at HPS. I think the website is http://www.myhps.com

The problem we are seeing with this car is that the platform has been phased out by Mercedes and thus the after market providers are not developing product.

We're driving an old car with a new body... Kinda like the women here in Hollywood who spend a fortune on plastic surgery...
 
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Old 12-28-2004, 08:21 AM
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Default Re: Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

i would be interested in the sway bar bushings. supplier? i have the koni's & eibachs as you do.
 
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Old 12-28-2004, 08:33 AM
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Default Re: Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

I'm definitely interested in some form of strut tower bar or chassis stiffening kit.
 
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Old 12-29-2004, 04:40 AM
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Default Re: Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

Here are the blueprints for the strut tower kit. I am having a one-off manufacured as of this posting. I am going to test for fitment when it arrives in a few weeks, and then take the car out to the track to see if it creates any over-steer. If all goes as expected, I should be able to deliver the kits in early spring. I designed it to go exactly across the airbox, directly from each strut tower. The clearance should be perfect so that it won't rub either the inside of the hood or the airbox. And it's designed with a half hexagon cross bar that will give maximum stiffness.

I'm also designing a bit tighter sway bar system for both the front and rear since Eibach and the others have discontinued their kit for the SLK320. I will post when the blueprints are done and it is in manufacturing.

https://www.crossfireforum.org/galle...cat/500/page/1
 

Last edited by HDDP; 12-29-2004 at 04:52 AM.
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Old 12-29-2004, 08:42 AM
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Default Re: Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

That strut tower bar looks like it could be nice. One thing you might want to consider, though, would be a way to bolt it to the firewall in addition to each strut tower. That might create a bit of a challenge, but it would provide unsurpassed stiffening.
 
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Old 12-29-2004, 10:23 PM
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Default Re: Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

Originally Posted by andrew
i would be interested in the sway bar bushings. supplier? i have the koni's & eibachs as you do.
Energy Suspension in San Diego area... You can find them on the web... I am going to have them supply replacement bushings for every part of the suspension system.
 
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Old 06-02-2005, 05:40 AM
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Default Re: Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

Any updates on the strut tower brace?

I bought one for my SRT-4 and it the difference was incredible.
 
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Old 07-11-2005, 01:34 AM
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Default Re: Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

I also would like a strut bar.
 
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Old 07-26-2005, 05:55 AM
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Default Re: Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

After many hours of track time and testing with different set-ups... here's the skinny for my suspension... This works for me on the track and highway...

Eibach Springs (2 mm shorter pad), Koni Sport dampers (cranked to stiffest / Energy Suspension Bump Stops), Front Sway Bar from MB SLK32 AMG, Rear Sway Bar from SRT6, TOYO S1-R Tires (40 psi front, 37 psi rear) Porterfield R4-E Brake Pads (if you don't mind the squeal), Energy Suspension Bushings (all the way around), Koni Rebuilt Steering Damper...
 

Last edited by HDDP; 07-26-2005 at 05:57 AM.
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Old 07-26-2005, 08:21 AM
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Default Re: Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

Originally Posted by HDDP
Koni Sport dampers (cranked to stiffest / Energy Suspension Bump Stops)
wow..that has to be once harsh ride on the streets. i adjusted my koni's to mid turn/half and thought i was going to lose my teeth. i currently have them a quarter adjustment for my preferred street setting.

Originally Posted by HDDP
Koni Rebuilt Steering Damper...
tell me more about the steering set-up. i hate the slop before response. did your changes aid with this?
 
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Old 08-29-2006, 09:10 PM
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Default Re: Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

So Mr. HDDP, what ever happened to this project for the strut tower bracing?

Do you have any pictures of the CAD design?

Maybe I can put off my exhaust project and get some practice in doing some aluminum welding. I'm dying to get some use out of my new MIG.
Have you come up with any ideas for this yet?
 
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Old 08-29-2006, 09:17 PM
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Default Re: Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

Originally Posted by dynamicS
So Mr. HDDP, what ever happened to this project for the strut tower bracing?

Do you have any pictures of the CAD design?

Maybe I can put off my exhaust project and get some practice in doing some aluminum welding. I'm dying to get some use out of my new MIG.
Have you come up with any ideas for this yet?
I did a design, but realized it was not necessary with the roll cage, since it provides lateral stiffness already.
 
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Old 08-29-2006, 09:21 PM
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Default Re: Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

I wonder if there are any SLK kits out on the market in Europe? Sure would like to get some ideas.
 
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Old 01-09-2009, 10:29 AM
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Default Re: Custom Strut Bar Tower & Sway Bar Kit

Originally Posted by dynamicS
I wonder if there are any SLK kits out on the market in Europe? Sure would like to get some ideas.
Trying to resurrect this discussion but anyone found a Strut Tower Bar for the crossfires? They would help out on the body stiffness for the roadsters.

Thanks

Nate
 
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