Ruffian is going in for an oil change and some rear brakes soon, and I figured I'd let my mechanic throw on some strut tower plates while she's in the shop.

I know Way carries M7 strut tower plates and CravenSpeed, but there are other options too. From the product descriptions they seem pretty similar in thickness and price. So the question, is one brand of strut tower reinforcement plate better than another?

 

I like the VIP design, which utilizes 'insert nuts' to hold down the plate rather than the M7 which uses the OEM nuts (thus the plate is thinner around the nuts), or the Craven design (which I have) that provides 'cove studs' that go over the strut mount bolts and then larger nuts to secure the STD.
In the end, they all function similarly, so it comes down to how you feel about the mounting systems.

 

I can tell you that I have never, not once, had anyone tell me that they put the Strut Tower Defenders on and still had a mushrooming problem. I know Way has a set or two in stock for you.

 

I like the Craven ones as well.

 

I've hsd craven std's on since nearly new...no issues. Good looking, fit well. A few folls had fit issues with the m7 ones around a cable/wire (hood release maybe) years back, but bet that has been fixed. Imo craven makes very nice stuff...looks good too.

 

Have Craven, too. No issues at all.

 

i have the craven ones, i was going to go with m7 but i think i made the better choice with the std's.

 

I have the M7 ones and they have actually pulled the metal back a little bit over the course of a year and a half. visually i like the m7 ones better but the Craven speed ones should work just as good. it's a personal choice of color and style in the end.

 

I just got a MCS 2013. Is this a big problem on the mini's? Is it more of a problem with aftermarket springs or also stock suspension? Just wanting to know if this is something I should really look at getting or not. Thanks

 

I'm bidding on an m7, I already have the madness plate that fits between the strut mount and the strut tower. Do you think I will have enough threads to mount both?

 

no, you'll either have to choose one or the other.

otherwise you could knock out the pressed in bolts and put 8.8 grade longer bolts in
(not recommended)

 

That"s what I was afraid of. Is there another one that I can use in combination with the plates I already have?

 

Congrats on the 13! Yes, it is a common issue. I would throw a set on immediately. Once I read about the mushrooming and did the research I bought a set the next day. Easy to instal but make sure you have a torque wrench. They take a lot less tightening than I expected. I would have tightened them down until I couldn't go any more and that would have been a mistake. It's cheap insurance against "shrooming".

 

They are both going to do the job, just pick the ones you want for the looks, I've had them both, and personally like the extra "beefiness" of the Craven's.

 

Sincere thanks to all for the replies. I'll be ordering the Strut Tower Defenders this morning.

 

Either Craven or VIP will use the entire length of the stock strut hat bolts.

 

M7 uses up the entire length of the stock hat bolts also, you have maybe 1 thread beyond the nut left

 

M7's are like that as well. I've been using the M7's, since my car was new. (2006 MCS). No mushrooming at. Working just fine.

-jav

 

lol...