i couldnt help but have some fun with the title, but the real reason for posting is i am wondering what is better to have, an under tower indurator or strut tower defender? i installed Vmaxx coils today and upon removal/install of parts it was clear my towers are already starting to deform so which will pull them back into shape and provide the best protection against it happening again?

 

It has been suggested that the under tower plates are a little more effective. But what I didn't like about them was they raise your ride height slightly and unless you're doing struts/coils at the same time, they are lot more work. In the end I went with the STDs and I've been happy with them.

I had a lot of trouble with them coming loose in the first few weeks but I realized thats just because they were pulling the sheet metal up underneath (correcting the mushrooming), and this was causing the bolts to loosen. I added some loctite and my towers are level now so they've been trouble free ever since.

 

well i want the most effective, i have no problem, dropping the strut again, im a mechanic and have access to a lift. also the uti is cheaper so it looks like if its more effective and cheaper that would be the best solution, correct?

 

If you have access to a lift, like the price, and can dial out the extra height with your coilovers then by all means, go with the UTI. The STDs are just offered as a bit more of a user friendly option--they bolt on in 5 minutes and dress up the engine bay a little so thats why a lot of people go with them. I can't actually comment as to how less effective they are than the UTI, thats just what I've heard.

But since you're running coil overs, why not go with camber plates? They function the exact same way as the UTIs do, but give you the ability to adjust your camber to your liking too.

 

unfortunately im on a budget and so far the mini is just a daily driver so dropping a couple hundred on camber plates seems to me like an unneeded expense when i can buy the <$100 UTI and live with the "natural" camber induced when lowering. im also not slammed

 

Go with the Strut Tower Defenders, we've used them and know they work. They are also much easier to install, and you will NOT loose any camber with them like the UTIs.

 

I will be installing new coilovers and camber plates later this month to replace my KW Competition 2ways that have the older design of K-Mac camber plates on them now. My strut towers mushroomed with these plates on but not as bad as many I've seen but enough that there is some increased difficulty in getting the strut in and out and in adjusting the camber and caster..

I got some newer design K-Macs but sold them to a friend in need before my coilovers came in. Not completely sure of all the differences between the new and old but both consist of a three plate sandwich, the middle of which moves to adjust the camber and caster. The old plate mushroomed with the tower but at least part of the new plate is made of 7075 aluminum and the top plate is a little thicker so maybe it won't mushroom but I don't want to take the chance so I'm thinking of getting the STD's. Oh, and the new plates come with a top spring perch with radial thrust bearings in them made to fit whatever your spring id is.

Has anyone had trouble using the STD's with camber plates and has the combination eliminated mushrooming?

 

I am now running fixed camber plates from ebay, great seller and awesome design , they are thick and sturdy they actually pulled my strut towers back flat after being mushroomed for who knows how long

 

UTI vs STD? I'd go with the UTI, the right pills will clear that up in a couple of days.