Ok, so I have read a couple of posts on here and other forums about the GTS stock setup but nothing really answering my question, hence the post.. I am considering investing in RRM’s suspension bar package which include the front strut bar, rear upper strut bar, lower truss bar and lower tie bars. A few questions first: 1. Is the stock front strut bar on the 08 lancer GTS pretty good? It seems to be very sturdy and have little to no flex. I don’t see a reason why RRM’s would be better. If it’s not then I can just get the other parts minus the front strut bar. 2. Is the stock lower truss bar and tie bar strong enough, or do they have a lot of flex to them? 3. Do I have to remove the stock RF sub in the trunk in order to fit the RRM rear upper strut bar? 4. Does anyone have any pictures of the under carriage of our car? If so can u post them? Pref. a GTS Any help would be great!!
1. its good but i don't like the fact that the bar itself is welded to the the mountings and that it doesn't seem like that of a high quality one. 2. i don't know if we have those bars but if we do, they're probably not what you'd expect from an aftermarket brand. 3. Probably not but you might have to get under the fabric next to it. 4. check around someone probably does. Overall, call up Brian or any of the other guys from RRM about the suspension package or some of the other guys on here.
my 2cents 1. Unless your doing some real racing the the stock strut bar should be fine. 2. The stock ones are freakin thin as hell, RRMs look like a lot better build. 3. Ive done a spring install so I needed to get to the rear strut bolts, no need to remove the sub, just undo like 3 maybe 4 plastic clips (per side) and pull back the fabric on the walls of the trunk until you see the strut bolts. 4. Cant help you here I dont have any pics myself, but I think its always best to see for yourself so you see exact thicknesses and whether your up for the install yourself.
1. A 3 point strut bar is always better/stronger than a 2 point bar. 2. Yes, the stock ones are very thin. Replacing these will allow the car to handle corners a lot better. 3. No, the RF sub does not have to be removed. Everything can be done by lowering the back seats. 4. Hmmmm.
1. The upper strut bar itself works just fine. Basically best to have one period. Stock or Road-Race's 2. There is no "flex" to the truss bar. Mine works great when i put that in with my RRM Tie-bars. 3. that's been answered 4. i have pictures in my flickr account. what kinda pics do you want?
1. That is really really wrong. NO welding at all. 2. If you don't know anything about something what would lead you to doubt it?
So should i just stick with getting the tie bars, truss bar, and rear upper strut bar, and leave the stock front strut bar? Pics of the undercarraige would be great. (Ex. If you have a your car on a lift and your underneath it taking pictures. Those type of pictures.)
Yeah i've always told members who ask that out of all those mods from Road-Race the last thing i'd get or worry about (if you own a gts) is the Upper Strut bar. Although Road-Race's is mounted at 3 points (compared to the gts having 2 mounting points) it's still like splitting hairs. Not having a bar at all, you'll notice a difference in responsiveness once you put one on. And you also have a 20mm sway bar that could be just enough for you. But i have RRM's 22mm adjustable sway bar and i love it. The stock truss set-up is basically this flimsy ass plate-looking thing. and the OEM tie-bars are kinda cheesy looking plates. I'll try to post some pictures later because my work has filtered flickr. so i can't find the shots you need right now
Thanks Evolve, good explanation. yeah pics would be great. As i said before in another post, Suspension work is the one area people tend to skip over. Its amazing what difference it can make in any car when your planting all 4 tires to the ground efficiently. It is by far the biggest return you will get for the money, in my opinion.
agreed. the car feels/responds ten times better now that i've lowered it and put on most of the suspension mods. next is tires and brakes for me. eventually. and i'll work at finding those underneath shots for you. I took them a long time ago when i installed my Injen Catback exhaust.
