Hypermotive front strut bar vs. APR front strut bar

[DopeCelicaGT]

Ok guys I want to know your honest opinions on which is better. I know a strut bar is a strut bar but then again they aren't exactly. They may serve the same purpose but there seem to be some huge difference.

I have an APR bar and love it, it made a huge difference is handling but it also blocks the incoming air from the air scoop which in turn is making my engine bay much hotter. Normally this is not a problem but it is making the adhesive that VIS uses to help adhere the skeleton to the top layer of their CF hoods seperate. I found this out today and I really do not want to part with either one but I can't afford to have my hood seperate anymore. The excess heat is what caused this.

People are saying that the second generation Hypermotive bar was designed to specifically do what the APR bar does but still allow the air to flow through the air scoop as well. However, I also here that the Hypermotive bar will not stiffen the chassis as much as the APR bar so I wanted to get you guys feedback on this. Thanks in advance.

Justin

[Blue Bomber]

I know I had one of my friend's Hypermotive bar, and when I twisted it with only my hands, it would actually twist a bit. I've heard of a few other people saying this as well. I'm not sure if this would have an effect on chassis stiffness, though, since I doubt the front end would be able to twist that much outside of an accident. ;)

The one thing that makes the APR front bar different from any other 3 pc bar is the way the bar itself attaches to its end plates. Other bars bolt on horizontally, giving the bar and the endplates a way to move up and down independent of each other. But the APR bolts vertically, so it can't move at all like that. It can't twist forward or backward, either, since it uses two bolts on each end. The main reason why I got the APR bar.

The 1st Gen Hypermotive bar would probably be the best, IMO, since it's totally solid, being one piece, and it's bent to improve air flow from the scoop.

[Hungster]

actually the first gen of hypermotive bars are not that great, the bend where they connect to the bolts to hold it down, my friend has one. but what i do like about hypermotives stuff, is that it is also very light. People tend to forget about the weight factor when putting in suspension things. ;)

[01 Spectra GT-S]

I've used the RMM, APR and now Hypermotive strut bar. I can tell you that the RMM is by far the stiffest, then is APR and the hypermotive is pretty much just for show.

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by 01 Spectra GT-S
the hypermotive is pretty much just for show. That's mot likely why it's so light. ;) The aluminum probably isn't as dense as the other brands', so even though the bar is the thickest, it isn't very stiff.

[DopeCelicaGT]

Good I am glad you guys told me that. Now I am not going to waste $300 on something that is less useful then what I already have. Finally some honest answers. One thing I do like about the hypermotive bar is the battery tie down.

[theycallmeALRU]

what about the carbing bar? does that bar block air from the scoop as well? the shape makes it seem like they took the air into consideration

[Blue Bomber]

The Carbing strut bar looks like it would block air the most. It's pretty wide compared to most strut bars, and directly in the path of the scoop's airflow (same place as the APR bar).

[sheizen]

1 piece strut bars are your best best...rmm or carbing.

[DopeCelicaGT]

So basically the Hypermotive bar is a useless waste of $300 unless you just want it for the bling factor. Is that what you are telling me? What about the C-One bar?

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by DopeCelicaGT
So basically the Hypermotive bar is a useless waste of $300 unless you just want it for the bling factor. Is that what you are telling me?Yup. 01 Spectra GT-S had a few bars on his car so he would know the best out of all of us. I always figured Hypermotive's was weak since the metal could be bent a bit by hand, though the chassis flex in that area is more inward than twisting. But I guess that doesn't matter, since the bar still isn't strong enough.

The C-One bar looks very strong (see pic below), just like their rear 3pt bar. But since it is 3pcs, I doubt it will stand up to 1pc bars like RMM, APC, or Carbing. It may be just as strong or slightly stiffer than APR, but would still block the scoop's airflow, and drain your wallet rather quickly. ;)

http://c-one.co.jp/aero-zoom_image/towerbar-03_ce_f.jpg

[DopeCelicaGT]

Well I guess Iwill hang on to my APR for now!

[KEnny Heiser 3]

why is the hypermotives so flimsy ? its design looks like if you tighted it up good it would be nice and stiff ?

Sinc:kenny heiser

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by KEnny Heiser 3
why is the hypermotives so flimsy ? its design looks like if you tighted it up good it would be nice and stiff ?

Sinc:kenny heiser Two reasons:

1. The metal it's made of. It's just not strong enough. The bar is thick as hell, but still able to be slightly twisted by hand.

2. The position of the bolts connecting the end plates to the bar itself. The bolts are horizontal, giving the bar two points to pivot on. This just makes it easier for the chassis to flex. Lots of bars are like this to give a better level of adjustability for a perfect fit, but the downside is that you lose some stiffness. No matter how hard you tighten the bolts, they will still allow some twisting.

APR's end plates have two bolts on each side that connect to the bar (all other brands have one each), plus they're vertical, so there are no pivot points at all on the bar. It works like a 1pc bar, but still has some flex since it's a 3pc.

[01 Spectra GT-S]

Yep, by far the RMM bar is the stiffest and feels the best out of all. Blue Bomber is right, the hypermotive bar is weak because of is material and design. The cut out in the middle of bar do allow air flow better than any other bar out there, but that is also where the weak point is.

I had the APR bar first, but the end plate caused rattle noises so I sold it for the RMM bar. Then I sold the RMM bar for a 2nd hand hypermotive bar.

[WillyWonka]

Originally posted by Hungster
...but what i do like about hypermotives stuff, is that it is also very light. People tend to forget about the weight factor when putting in suspension things. ;)
The comical thing here is that the same person with the light strut bar has a sub (or more) in the trunk. The Hypermotive bar is certainly the best looking, but I haven't heard anything overwhelming about it other than that one quality.