Product Review: Ultra Racing Strut Bar

[Big Z]

Vehicle: Suzuki Swift Sport
Year: 2009
Product: Ultra Racing Front Upper Strut Bar
Website: http://www.ultraracing.com.my/
Local Agent: Ignorant Ignis
Reviewer Bias: None
Perceived Reviewer Bias: None

Sample Image from Ultra Racing webiste



Initial impressions:

Driving out onto the road, the increased chassis stiffness was immediately noticeable.
Steering response was improved. Changes in direction were much faster.
Corner entry speed is now higher and car stays flatter through the corner.
Noted increase in oversteer when pushed. Didn't push too hard, so can't say exactly how much of an increase. The Swift Sport is already biased to oversteer, so I will have to be very careful with this one.

This truly should be your first handling upgrade. Next up will be a rear strut bar and lower H frame.

Items can be purchased from Ignorant Ignis in this thread. I'm, sure he would be happy to bring in one for your vehicle.
Well worth the investment.


Edit: Edited for accuracy.

[EVA Unit-01]

did you install both upper and lower to the front, or just one?

[Big Z]

I only installed the front upper strut bar only. Added a pic to make it clear!
Will be getting the rear upper strut bar and front lower H frame when the budget allows for it.
Im hoping the rear bar will bring the car back to stock handling, just faster.

[VexXx Dogg]

No LGT love on that site boi

[CD4Accord]

To be honest, I'm not really convinced by the attachment of that strut bar...
I'm accustomed to things like the Tanabe Sustec Strut tower bar (which I have on my car) that have a 3 bolt attachment and ring around the strut itself

http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/partdet ... Front/3453

It could just be differences in vehicle design, but I feel like the setup on mine will be more likely to add chasis rigidity

[Big Z]

I didnt care for it initially, but this is actually the best design for the Suzuki Swift.
And, in my opinion, it works!

The Swift doesnt have the typical three bolt attachment ring

[FullStop]

^^yup, i was looking at that desing in the suzuki, looks atypical, the chassis desin is different, so i suppose the attachment of the strut tower bar, also different

[Alpha_2nr]

Sounds good! I always thought the SSS was one of the stiffer riding new cars out there. I'm sure it must ride a little stiffer now though!

Was it cusco that made a rear torsion bar support (that mounts under the spring mounts from end to end) for the rear? Might be something worth considering.

[Big Z]

It did stiffen up the front, but its not an annoying stiffness like you would get from, say lowering springs. The car feels much sturdier in front now.

Was it cusco that made a rear torsion bar support (that mounts under the spring mounts from end to end) for the rear? Might be something worth considering.

Check out the Ultra Racing site... they have lots of goodies, including what you have described. Im a bit skeptical of making changes to the rear anti-sway bar settings as this will increase the oversteer that is already built into the SSS design.
In other words, great for a normal Swift, not so great for a Swift Sport.

I will be getting the Front H brace and the rear strut tower bar. After these mods, I will re-evaluate the need for the increased sway bar stiffness.

[Alpha_2nr]

^^That Cusco item is not a sway bar *technically*......I believe it's main benefit comes from beefing up the rear torsion bar which isn't too spectacular in stock trim (in that it can be distorted easily, which means a complete replacment).

As for the oversteering tendency don't worry about it. And technically, your strut bar would increase that tendency a little - why? The SS understeers on heavy power application or intial turn in, but oversteers on throttle let off, or when using something like left-foot braking.

The strut bar will actually banish some of that initial understeer (which is good!) but it may make the onset of the throttle-let-off-oversteer a little quicker.

I'm not sure though.......I guess you'll have to tell us if that's true!

H Brace

What....no power mods?

[Big Z]

Yup.. less understeer, so the oversteer does come on a bit faster.
I expected it when I bought the car, so it doesnt come as a surprise!
Exactly what you said... Oversteer on lift off or when braking.
I love a car that can rotate!
I will do the K&N drop in filter and a full 4-1 header and quiet exhaust.. eventually.

[Alpha_2nr]

^^W3rd!!

[dervynayr]

Strut your stuff!

[rdeonarine]

Ultra racing is good stuff, had a FU on my car over a year and the handling has somewhat improved, i bought mine from UR USA tho, i am contemplating adding the 19mm rear anti roll bar as well as the RU strut

[Ignorant Ignis]

Ultra racing is good stuff, had a FU on my car over a year and the handling has somewhat improved, i bought mine from UR USA tho, i am contemplating adding the 19mm rear anti roll bar as well as the RU strut

how much did you end up paying for it? ... just curious

[Ignorant Ignis]

by the way .. i highly recommend the rear sway bar and the fender braces.

[CD4Accord]

Big Z, have a question for you not so much related to the strut bar, but to the picture of your engine bay..

Where did you get the accordian hose to run to the filter and what diameter is it? I been hunting for something comparable in 3" for the longest while and can't seem to get it anywhere..

[Big Z]

Tis a sample pic taken from the Ultra Racing website.

I would never install such a travesty in my car, nor would I put tools on the battery

[CD4Accord]

apologies, shoulda paid more attention...
Still looking for that hose though

Nonetheless, would you say that the SSS chassis was stiff to begin with?

[Big Z]

Everything has to be put into perspective, so the following cars are what I can use:
2007 Toyota Corolla (with strut tower bar)
2009 Suzuki Swift Sport (with strut tower bar)

Installation of the strut bar on the corolla made a huge improvement in the structural rigidity feel and handling of the car.
On the swift, the addition of the strut bar did not have such a pronounced effect.

As such, I conclude that the SSS has a significantly stiffer chassis than the corolla.

My condolences on your lack of hose. Have you tried Trinidad Hose?

[rdeonarine]

Ultra racing is good stuff, had a FU on my car over a year and the handling has somewhat improved, i bought mine from UR USA tho, i am contemplating adding the 19mm rear anti roll bar as well as the RU strut

how much did you end up paying for it? ... just curious

total cost was around $800, took about 1 1/2 weeks

[dervynayr]

that sounds like a deal..

[belalegosi]

Initial impressions:

Driving out onto the road, the increased chassis stiffness was immediately noticeable.
Steering response was improved. Changes in direction were much faster.
Corner entry speed is now higher and car stays flatter through the corner.
Noted increase in oversteer when pushed. Didn't push too hard, so can't say exactly how much of an increase. The Swift Sport is already biased to oversteer, so I will have to be very careful with this one.

This truly should be your first handling upgrade. Next up will be a rear strut bar and lower H frame.

dont believe it. Why would suzuki make a mid class car (fwd too!) that oversteers???
Car manufacturers usually shoot for understeer and neutral. Mostly understeer since its easier to handle in emergencies.

With that out of the way, I dont see how adding a strut bar to the front (of all places) help you oversteer. If anything the front strut bar dont do sheit on a stock car (especially if you still have factory bushings). Rear strut bar would be felt alot more and would actually help you oversteer.

If you're really concerned about understeer/oversteer look into the "lower strut bars" (its actually called sway bars afaik). That difference WOULD be felt.

Currently my set up is 22mm in the front, 21mm in the back (sway bars) with 310ft. lbs springs in the front, and 230ft. lbs springs in the back... no rubber bushings anywhere. I'm almost neutral and I still dont feel the benefits of the front strut bar... It looks good though

[Big Z]

Its great that you have an opinion. Now move along. There's nothing to see here.

[Alpha_2nr]

^^I think jnqaz has a valid point about the strut bar...to a point.

Just to clarify our posts tho jnqaz, when we say oversteer....we mean sudden-throttle lift oversteer. Typical hard cornering leads to understeer in the SSS, as with most FWD cars. It gets more pronouced at corner exit when the car cannot pull itself out of the corner as well because of the front OPEN diff (non LSD).

If you go hard into a corner and lift suddenly/jab the brakes at the right time, you can get the back of the car to slide just a little. Myabe it's a function of the stock camber setup?

Currently my set up is 22mm in the front, 21mm in the back (sway bars) with 310ft. lbs springs in the front, and 230ft. lbs springs in the back... no rubber bushings anywhere. I'm almost neutral and I still dont feel the benefits of the front strut bar... It looks good though

What car and what drive layout? Using "spherical" bushings?

[belalegosi]

Its great that you have an opinion. Now move along. There's nothing to see here.

...typical...

Just to clarify our posts tho jnqaz, when we say oversteer....we mean sudden-throttle lift oversteer. Typical hard cornering leads to understeer in the SSS, as with most FWD cars. It gets more pronouced at corner exit when the car cannot pull itself out of the corner as well because of the front OPEN diff (non LSD).

If you go hard into a corner and lift suddenly/jab the brakes at the right time, you can get the back of the car to slide just a little. Myabe it's a function of the stock camber setup?

thats called snap oversteer and it happens to any car. I'll admit and put it out there, I've never driven the "SSS". But, I still stand by my point that I dont believe that it would oversteer.
Thanks for clarifying what the OP is trying to say though

Currently my set up is 22mm in the front, 21mm in the back (sway bars) with 310ft. lbs springs in the front, and 230ft. lbs springs in the back... no rubber bushings anywhere. I'm almost neutral and I still dont feel the benefits of the front strut bar... It looks good though

What car and what drive layout? Using "spherical" bushings?

98 neon R/T (its fwd). No spherical bushings, I'm not gonna drop ~350US on overkill bushings. I still dd mine and I've been told SCCA dont allow it in stock class

[Alpha_2nr]

thats called snap oversteer and it happens to any car

Yes...but not in the same way (i.e throttle let off)......at least not in my limited experience

It doesn't happen on my "AWD" at all...snap oversteer on that comes from rapid power application following throttle let off (rear LSD vs open front diff). Also, in that car, throttle let off (without power application after) further promotes understeer. So in even an increasing radius corner, applying power too early (or gearing down just too early and applying power) means that rear can starte to "wiggle" a little bit (interpret as you will).

In my "RWD" car, I've never noticed much....but then again I've never switched of the TSC/DSC system....so I can't say here. That car is pretty neutral though most times...and the weight distribution is touted in the brochures as such

In my daily "FWD" car, that strangely enough, just has a hint of understeer with a slight rear push on throttle let off, as you said.

But, I still stand by my point that I dont believe that it would oversteer.

Correct. No man'fr is going to make a car that oversteers.....stock....unless of course you factor in agitation/upsetting the car's balance......which is kinda what I'm alluding to with my "AWD" car.

[dervynayr]

thats called snap oversteer and it happens to any car

Yes...but not in the same way (i.e throttle let off)......at least not in my limited experience

It doesn't happen on my "AWD" at all...snap oversteer on that comes from rapid power application following throttle let off (rear LSD vs open front diff). Also, in that car, throttle let off (without power application after) further promotes understeer. So in even an increasing radius corner, applying power too early (or gearing down just too early and applying power) means that rear can starte to "wiggle" a little bit (interpret as you will).

In my "RWD" car, I've never noticed much....but then again I've never switched of the TSC/DSC system....so I can't say here. That car is pretty neutral though most times...and the weight distribution is touted in the brochures as such

In my daily "FWD" car, that strangely enough, just has a hint of understeer with a slight rear push on throttle let off, as you said.

But, I still stand by my point that I dont believe that it would oversteer.

Correct. No man'fr is going to make a car that oversteers.....stock....unless of course you factor in agitation/upsetting the car's balance......which is kinda what I'm alluding to with my "AWD" car.

I'll subscribe to this.

[Alpha_2nr]

^^spamming Tech posts FTL.

[Big Z]

must..... increase.... post... count.... by.... one.....
rolls over and dies