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Thread: Strut tower bar fit

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    Default Strut tower bar fit

    Hi guys, not quite sure if this is where this question should be posted but I just need confirmation/clarification.
    Does the STB for a third gen Mazda 6 fit a third gen Mazda 3?
    Thanks in advance and I apologize if I posted here by mistake

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    No it doesn't and tower bars are mostly useless on the Mazda 3.

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    Quote Originally Posted by SomeGuy View Post
    No it doesn't and tower bars are mostly useless on the Mazda 3.
    Mind elaborating pls? Would really appreciate the info

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    Quote Originally Posted by Kaelito View Post
    Mind elaborating pls? Would really appreciate the info
    The front strut towers are very close to the firewall which is reinforced a bit to provide the same effect. If you're looking for handling improvements a tower bar is the least effective. Start with a rear sway bar.

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    cheap strut bars makes no difference, EXPENSIVE strut bars do.... I had an Autoexe on my 05 and it made a huge difference.... front end tightened up, turn in was better
    the firewall is a bolt on piece of steel that doesn't really connect to the strut towers, unlike the mazdaspeed... there's still room for improvement there
    2005 Mazda3 SP23 hatchback (auto)
    2016 Mazda3 Sport GT (auto)

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    Quote Originally Posted by SomeGuy View Post
    The front strut towers are very close to the firewall which is reinforced a bit to provide the same effect. If you're looking for handling improvements a tower bar is the least effective. Start with a rear sway bar.
    I read in another forum that having both the STB and RSB makes a big difference but not if it's just the RSB.

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    Quote Originally Posted by TheMAN View Post
    cheap strut bars makes no difference, EXPENSIVE strut bars do.... I had an Autoexe on my 05 and it made a huge difference.... front end tightened up, turn in was better
    the firewall is a bolt on piece of steel that doesn't really connect to the strut towers, unlike the mazdaspeed... there's still room for improvement there
    What exactly do you mean by cheap? Wouldn't the design factor in? Such as a 1 piece to a 2 piece or whatnot?

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    design and materials used makes all the difference
    thin, crappy and flexible metal = garbage strut bar

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    Quote Originally Posted by TheMAN View Post
    design and materials used makes all the difference
    thin, crappy and flexible metal = garbage strut bar
    Thanks

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    Quote Originally Posted by Kaelito View Post
    I read in another forum that having both the STB and RSB makes a big difference but not if it's just the RSB.
    RSB alone makes a big difference, the car becomes far more neutral in handling.

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    Generally when you have understeer (FWD) you'll want to decrease front sway bar stiffness or increase rear sway bar stiffness.

    In a RWD vehicle you'd want to do the opposite.

    So basically in the Mazda 3s you want to avoid adding stiffness to the front end.

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    Quote Originally Posted by shift8 View Post
    Generally when you have understeer (FWD) you'll want to decrease front sway bar stiffness or increase rear sway bar stiffness.

    In a RWD vehicle you'd want to do the opposite.

    So basically in the Mazda 3s you want to avoid adding stiffness to the front end.

    Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
    Great info! Thank you

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    Quote Originally Posted by shift8 View Post
    Generally when you have understeer (FWD) you'll want to decrease front sway bar stiffness or increase rear sway bar stiffness.

    In a RWD vehicle you'd want to do the opposite.

    So basically in the Mazda 3s you want to avoid adding stiffness to the front end.

    Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
    that's one tuning style/philosophy
    the other is to make sure there's no weight transfer from the outside to inside tire, thereby maintaining grip thus good handling is realised... this means stiffer springs and larger sway bar up front while moderately doing the same in the rear

    what the strut bar does though is improve chassis rigidity and that results in consistent, stable suspension geometry... chassis flex works against you by changing suspension geometry unpredictably mid corner and that greatly affects handling and your corner exit speeds

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    Quote Originally Posted by shift8 View Post
    Generally when you have understeer (FWD) you'll want to decrease front sway bar stiffness or increase rear sway bar stiffness.

    In a RWD vehicle you'd want to do the opposite.

    So basically in the Mazda 3s you want to avoid adding stiffness to the front end.

    Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
    When pushed to the limits, a big rsb alone is just going to result in unnecessary oversteer. Great for auto-x and spirited driving, bad for tracking and emergency maneuvers.

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    Default Re: Strut tower bar fit

    Quote Originally Posted by zzz3 View Post
    When pushed to the limits, a big rsb alone is just going to result in unnecessary oversteer. Great for auto-x and spirited driving, bad for tracking and emergency maneuvers.
    You can always overdo anything

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