Installed front strut tower bar, center power brace, rear sway bar - car rides rougher ...

Hi Nedear88,

Yes, very strange how the cusco power brace although seems harmless in your mind, caused such a big change in comfort. I think the decrease in ride quality comfort was like 4x worse compared to installing my new coilovers. I have almost the same setup as you (your CT rims' rubber probably has higher sidewalls), plus coilovers and the car is comfortable and sporty. It is a pleasure to spend the entire day in.

I was going to buy the cusco rear end brace, and the front end brace as well. After the experience with the center power brace, I am going to leave the car alone...no more braces.

 

Hello Grren4ever,

I've had tried Tanabe Front center brace (stiff/rough/butt pounding), then the CUSCO power brace...it was o.k with the stock 15" rims and tires and it makes the car stable on highway at high speed, then I upgraded the CT rims the car doesn't comfy at all even with the correct factory tire pressure at 33/32 psi, tried all kind of psi setting still not comfy. So...we (family members) start hated to ride in it then I figure that reverse to stock one piece at a time, right on spot it is the CUSCO power brace, took it out and sold it on Ebay for $120, now with the updated stock rear center brace we enjoy riding the car much much more now, I already put 100k+ miles on it since March 2011 and it still drive like the day I bought it, plus I changed the spark plugs and it's now silky smooth drive.

You have a better/lighter rims than the CT rims, about 7 lbs lighter which is almost the same weight with the OEM 15" rims, the tires that came with the CT rims are 215/45/R17" same as yours winter tires, I set my tires in the early morning inside garage 33.5 front and 32.5 rear, I am average 45+mpg calculated (not from the MID). No more mods for now.

 

So the braces you design fix the issue but don't effect ride harshness? Where can I buy one?

 

Anytime you add any body brace, stiffener bars etc... Of coarse you're going to feel the road more then you're use too. Yes, that may mean a little rougher or stiffer ride. But the benefit in the handling you'll get, will surprise you. I know, I went a little over board on my suspension and I love it.

Now I know all these aftermarket parts may not be for everybody,....
But IMO, if you're not feel a difference, then why change them.
Keep it stock and enjoy your MPGs.

Again, just my 2 cents.

 

Just went thru your whole mod thread...car is pretty sick! good job. I think I'll be happy with adding a trd rear sway bar and a cusco stb. I'm not looking to autox or anything like that just make the feel of the car better around turns etc. If I didn't live in hawaii with our quality of roads, I'd consider the trd springs as well, but for now they are out of the question. What do you recommend is the best bang for your buck to help the suspension?

 

I did coils and cusco sway bar. I like the ride but I feel it could be better in the handling dept. Found this thread while doing research on the cusco lower power brace. I'm on the fence but I'm considering the front lower brace.

 

I m intereted to upgrade my suspension, i already upgrade with prius g's parts. Now, i would to Know what's the best rear swap bar between TRD ans Cusco.
Many of you said that Trd rsb make small noise..

 

The cusco rsb mounts to the spring "holders" and I didn't get any new noises or creeks. It took about 20 minutes to install.

 

Thanks you for the reply.

 

I have the TRD Anti-sway bar. I have not heard any noise from it in the three years that it has been installed.

 

Thanks you too @Eclipse1701d,
Si what's the best between this rear sway bar ?

 

Nobody can help me ?
I want to install rear and front sway bar.
What's the best between cusco and TRD plus package ?
Thanks a lot

 

I can only recommend the cusco because that is what I have. I don't know much are the the trd besides it being mpunted at different places and being a little less expensive. With that being said, the trd bar has endlinks and the cusco doesnt. Hope that helps.

 

@ilovegirls thanks you.
Yes you help Me ! ;-)
So whats the benefit of endlinks ?

 

Its a long shot but do u still have the Cusco brace for sale?