@researcher
I had the chance to drive the car on different kind of roads, including mountain roads.
Definitely, the car is more stable at mid and high speed curves when I push it to its limits. In tighter corners, especially at hairpins, I think understeering has increased a little.
The most pronounced effect is the level of comfort though. There is a big difference when driving over bumps or potholes. The car feels way more smooth and also quieter.
I'm not sure if I will add spacers at this point for several reasons:
I had the chance to drive the car on different kind of roads, including mountain roads.
Definitely, the car is more stable at mid and high speed curves when I push it to its limits. In tighter corners, especially at hairpins, I think understeering has increased a little.
The most pronounced effect is the level of comfort though. There is a big difference when driving over bumps or potholes. The car feels way more smooth and also quieter.
I'm not sure if I will add spacers at this point for several reasons:
- I asked Ultra Racing's opinion and they said there is no need, the bar's performance is not affected by the gap.
- I also asked the opinion of 2 different car mechanics who pretty much said the same thing.
- AEM's strut bar for the Lancer comes with washers and that reduces the contact area significantly, as it lifts the end plates all the way around. The same is true for Hard Race's hinged strut bar for the Lancer. It also has flat end plates and they give washers for the installation. I'm not sure why no one follows the OEM design for the end plates! Maybe there is really no significant loss of performance.
- As I said, I can feel a small curve on the upper side of the end plates with my finger over the point where the strut towers bumps are. I'm not sure if that will disappear when I will loosen the nuts or if that shape has now become permanent. Ideally, spacers should be installed before the bar's first installation to avoid any deformation of the end plates.