I know the topic of strut tower mushrooming has been discussed extensively, in particular the virtues and vices of the M7 Strut Reinforcing Plate and Strut Tower Brace. What I haven't seen discussed is if the JCW Strut Tower Brace will actually help prevent strut tower mushrooming.

So, what I am looking for is comments from any users of the JCW Strut Tower Brace to see if they have had any evidence of mushrooming developing AFTER they installed the JCW bar. I have not found any indication of this so far in my searching of NAM.

To me, it seems the mounting plate of the JCW Strut Tower Brace should offer enough stiffness to at least significantly decrease the potential of mushrooming compared to using no strut plate or bar at all.

From what I have read, mushrooming involves the strut bolts deflecting from the vertical as the strut dower deforms. The JCW mounting plate looks sturdy enough to hold the studs in there proper allignment, which should limit the chance of deformation.

Anyone care to offer evidence that they had mushrooming after they installed the JCW bar???

Thanks

 

Have not seen any mushrooming with my JCW brace. I agree with you, it would seem like the plates would keep this from happening.. But I'm not an expert. Would also like to hear from others on this topic.

 

How long have you had the JCW Stut bar installed?

 

Since last September. 7000 plus or min. miles.. Also on '06 Cooper S.

 

I'm really curious to hear what others say, I had this same question in mind

 

I installed a JCW bar with 100 miles on my car. I had it on for 3000 miles. When I took it off to put an M7 STB on, i noticed significant mushrooming.

If you look at the JCW bar, you will understand why it doesn;t help prevent mushrooming. It simply doesn;t have enough strength to resist the deformation of the metal of the strut towers. I have nothing against the JCW bar. I only got rid of it because it wouldn;t fit over my Alta intake. I just feel that to effectivley prevent mushrooming you need something that has some mass like the m7 bar. It also helps to have a camber plate because it effectivley sandwhiched the strut tower between two pieces of strong metal.

 

damn, well it looks like I'll buy the JCW CAI over the strut brace, since I only wanted to get the brace to prevent mushrooming

 

If you don't care about the handeling benefits of a STB (they are negligable anyways), you might want to look into the m7 STRPs. They are significantly cheeper than the JCW bar and will prevent mushrooming as well as M7's STB.

 

Thanks I was thinking of buying these, I think I'll buy some after the JCW intake. oh and do you know if I'll have to modify the JCW intake if I buy the M7 strut brace?

 

I just checked the M7 site and it says that the strut brace should clear the air box, I'm guessing that the JCW intake cant be that much bigger than the stock intake

 

The M7 brace will clear the JCW box with no issues.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

It will also clear the Alta CAI, which is something the JCW bar cannot do.

 

I have a JCW bar that clears my Alta intake with no problem? Although I do not have the full box around the intake...

 

Really? I'm suprised. On mine, with the JCW bar flus on one side, the other side was 3 inches in the air....