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Posted by: struckn Jan 16 2014, 06:29 PM

Just wondering if anyone else is using one of these? It's an adjustble bar between the top of the shock towers in the trunk.

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Posted by: kshighlander Jan 16 2014, 08:00 PM

Why is it adjustable, just for universal fit?

Posted by: injunmort Jan 16 2014, 08:05 PM

back in the day we used call them "monte carlo bars" but in most cars they were up front.

Posted by: jimkelly Jan 16 2014, 08:05 PM

and for installation I'd assume.

seems to me the rubber bushings at the top of the shocks would flex much more that the tower necks would?

regardless, interesting part.

Posted by: JmuRiz Jan 16 2014, 08:14 PM

I always figured the firewall between the engine bay and trunk was the 'tower bar' on a 914...same goes for the front.

Posted by: scotty b Jan 16 2014, 08:16 PM

QUOTE(jimkelly @ Jan 16 2014, 06:05 PM)

Posted by: struckn Jan 16 2014, 10:15 PM

It came with the car when Purchased and I've never seen, or heard mention of the Bar before. I've seen similar ones on the front towers to help with body flex.
Good for something I guess. Anyway makes for good conversation and can't hurt, so for now I'll just leave it there.

Posted by: brant Jan 16 2014, 10:19 PM

Dead weight.

Posted by: PanelBilly Jan 16 2014, 11:54 PM

Its for hanging up your suits, so they don't slide around in spirited driving

Posted by: John Jan 17 2014, 12:13 AM

Back in the day those were advertised as the latest and greatest way to improve handling by reducing the weight of the driver's wallet.

they serve absolutely no purpose as installed. a bigger benefit is gained by actually welding the shock towers to the inner fenders by opening up the boxes on either side. I'm sure you can search for what I speak of.

By the way, the upper shock mounts in the rear of a 914 play virtually no role in the alignment of the rear of these cars. The trailing arm mounts and bushings do all the work.

Posted by: Cpl620 Jan 17 2014, 12:52 AM

Strut tower bar. I have yet to dive into the suspension of a 914 since I just picked one up, but these are common place mods on other "driven" cars these days. Helps with body flex as long as they are designed and installed right. I know for the front of a normal engine car, these help quite a bit with keeping your steering response more predictable and stable while taking a corner.

Posted by: CptTripps Jan 17 2014, 03:18 AM

QUOTE(PanelBilly @ Jan 17 2014, 12:54 AM)

Posted by: The Cabinetmaker Jan 17 2014, 08:33 AM

About 20 years ago there was a local pca guy was making and selling these for 911's and boxters. He said I could use one on my car. I opened the trunk lids and he said, "oh, you don't need it. Your strut towers are already connected".

Posted by: stownsen914 Jan 17 2014, 09:02 AM

These braces make sense for a strut suspension like the front of a 911 where there can be some flex in shock towers, which impacts suspension geometry. For the rear of a 914, movement in shock towers does not cause change in suspension geometry, so I don't see the point ...

Scott

Posted by: ConeDodger Jan 17 2014, 09:35 AM

Very easily homemade. Worthless on a 914 as already stated, but the make a big difference on my 240Z.

Posted by: r_towle Jan 17 2014, 09:41 AM

There is flex there, but tying both together would not really stop it.

Weld up the shock towers (Jeroen did a great article on that)
And if you really want, tie the shock towers to the transmission cross member....that does help.

rich

Posted by: SirAndy Jan 17 2014, 01:07 PM

QUOTE(brant @ Jan 16 2014, 08:19 PM)

Posted by: Kirmizi Jan 17 2014, 01:30 PM

So it's not for the Trunk Monkey then?

Posted by: 396 Jan 17 2014, 02:24 PM

I have one, it's from the 70s

Posted by: Eric_Shea Jan 17 2014, 02:27 PM

I think they'll span a 911 front shock tower. Sell it to someone like that who can use it.

Posted by: struckn Jan 17 2014, 08:57 PM

Sell it to a 911......hmmm, maybe I'll have it Chromed first.