Expert: Dan Liddy - 9/8/2003

Question
I drive a 2001 PT Cruiser.  I am over fifity so not into racing but I like to think that my car handles as well as it can.  Is the addition of a strut tower brace worth $150? Or is it "tuner" bullfeathers?  Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Kirk:

I'm not real familiar with the PT Cruiser, but most of the modern uni-body cars benefit a lot from the addition of a strut tower brace. The best type triangulates the engine bay, attaching to the strut towers, with a "delta" shaped piece that also attaches to the firewall.  However, I have one on my race car that simply goes straight across from tower to tower, (all that the rules allow) and it makes a notable difference.  

With the addition of such a brace, you will notice immediately that the car seems to turn better, and it will be more responsive to steering inputs. It may take a bit of getting used to.

Is it worth $150 ?  that's a judgement call you'll have to make. If it were me, I would fabricate one, which we did, out of chorme moly tubing, and with spherical bearing rod-ends. By the time you bought materials, and the rod ends, then found a good welder, you would probably spend that much, but it would also be better than after-market stuff.

But yes, you will notice that the car handles better, and steers more positively.

Good luck,

Dan Liddy,
Sarasota, Florida