Am going to put on a upper stress bar for shock support and add a bigger rear sway bar. OK give me some idea's. Have limited funds

 

that will work

 

DINAN had some upper stress bars on clearance, I bought one, it's a nice product.
For the rear sway I went with a Madness 22mm bar.

 

Thanks for the idea,

You don't like there shock tower stress bar that Maddness makes, I know it is a little more money but I would to buy them all from the same vendor. They also have a lower front stress support.

 

the Dinan stress bar has a built in strut tower reinforcement plate to prevent mushrooming.
I also bought the lower front stress from Madness. I like all the Madness items I Purchsed, just though the Dinan was a bit nicer, machined aluminum, and less $$.

 

Can you still service the shock air box or do you have to remove it to change filters. The air box is another question I am trying to find JCW good one used.

 

Another idea rather than the upper stress bar is to install IE Fixed Camber Plates. These will give you more support for the strut tower (thicker metal plate) plus increases the negative camber for better handling. An added beenfit is that the rubber bushing is stronger than OEM which frequently rips/tears. The disadvantage is the plates raise the front of the car slightly (1/8" or so) and you have to remove the strut assy to install the plates.

The camber plates would be a great combination with a larger (19mm) rear sway bar.

A couple disadvantages of adding the top strut brace is that it is in the way for oil and air filter changes. Plus the bar does not provide much if any handling benefit.

The lower stress brace is a good addition.

 

I have a Madness CA kit so the stock air box is out.
The Dinan bar is removable without unbolting from the strut towers. The bar un bolts from the end mounting plates which makes it easier if you need to access anything. I dont need to remove it to change the oil or air filters. I also have Megan coil overs w/ adjustable camber plates so no issues there.

 

As for the rear sway bar, I had the H-sport 22mm on medium setting- makes a world of a difference, and still street/daily friendly. As for the upper stress bar... I have an M7 Strut Tower Bar* (no plates) collecting dust in my garage; Make me a good offer!

*note: it's in perfect condition, other than I sold the MINI.

 

For a rear sway bar that's a no brainer, Hsport Comp sway bar is the best.

For strut braces, if you talking about rear strut braces, don't waste your money, put it towards other mods that you will actually see the gain in.

For front strut braces the M7 seems to work best.