Last Updated: 01/26/97

From: CAPSULIER
Just added a front strut brace on my 1995 Integra LS. There are holes plugged with rubber stoppers where the brace goes in the higher models, GS-R and SE. Looking at the Service manual it appears that the bolts/studs are welded into the body at those spots. I used 8mm stainless bolts, with flat washers on both sides and self locking nuts. The fasteners are not available from the dealer, I got them from a bolt/nut supplier. They charged me an arm and a leg. Later a friend suggested the boat supplies store.. I checked the prices, same SS washers, 10 cents each, I paid 94 cents. Only catch, no metric stuff. Yes, the 5/8th inch bolts I think are about the same as the 8mm. It should fit fine. The flat washers I could get are just barely bigger than the 13mm bolt head. Question, how much stress would those bolts transfer to the sheet metal in normal driving over average rough roads? Are larger washers really needed to spread out the stress over a larger surface area? I am planning to keep the car for a long while. All engineering types out there what's your opinion? How about some theoretical stress analysis?

The car seems to handle significantly better with the brace in. The steering seem to be more neutral and the car seems to take corners with less body roll. It also seems to be somewhat quieter too!! The body roll and quiet part just may be my imagination. A worthwhile project for a total of about $70.00 with everything and 30 minutes of elbow grease. The strut bar is OEM got it mail order.

From: Daniel Wolstenholme
I got a factory GS-R brace from A&H Motorsport also for about $32, and it works great. The difference is definitely very noticeable. It's made of tubular steel, and weighs surprisingly little (tubular steel isn't really heavy like solid steel). My only complaint is I can't find any cadmium-plated 8mm bolts to attach it with - this country is still sticking with obsolete SAE measurements. The only things I can find in retail in metric sizes are zinc-plated and plain black, both of which corrode quickly (esp. since the bolt head is inside the wheelwell where it's exposed to more road crap than probably any other part of the car).The holes for the bolts are already on the car, covered with rubber caps, so (once you get some bolts, nuts, and washers) the install is really easy.

From: Chao I Wu
No need to drill holes in the RS. There are factory holes by the struts...just look for two holes on each side, covered by plastic plugs. Buy a pair of stainless steel washers, a nut, and a bolt for each side. The mounting passes through the wheel well, and is exposed to road elements. If you don't use stainless steel, they will rust, possibly causing corrosion on the sheet metal.

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