What's the ReBar by Kappsphere Do?

[Forever Young]

Could someone explain to me the purpose of the rebar by Kappasphere. WHat will I notice differently when I drive my car? Why is it is worthwhile mod? I'm always learning new things on the forum. Please help me to learn about this mod. Thanks!

[Gerry]

It's like another crossmember in the frame. The more support the frame has, the less it will move around. And when the frame moves, it becomes a suspension component. Most cars are designed to have some frame flex to reduce the NVH in the ride. You'd want as stiff a frame as possible if you were racing the car, but how well it pays off on the street is subject to the impressions of the driver.

In this particular application, it ties the suspension pickup points together by bracing and reduces flexing in the frame component caused by the lower control arm.

[Kappa Fan]

Originally Posted by Forever Young

Could someone explain to me the purpose of the rebar by Kappasphere. WHat will I notice differently when I drive my car? Why is it is worthwhile mod? I'm always learning new things on the forum. Please help me to learn about this mod. Thanks!

If you are not one who *pushes* their car through twisties, switchbacks, carves the canyon roads, autocrosses, or roadraces. Then, this bar is not for you. In the aforementioned situations the car "flexes" - yes, even this wonderful "rides on rails" car.
Here is a link that I have posted on another thread that refers to a GM engineer:
Automobile-Heinricy_Win_on_Sunday_Fix_GM_on_Monday

This paragraph in particular:

while-transforming the Solstice into a race car for the SCCA’s Touring 2 class, he and his team found that the rear crossmember was flexing during hard cornering. The GXP street car now has a new, stronger crossmember, and the base Solstice will get it next year.

So, as you can see, in certain situations a stronger crossmember is desirable. However, for the daily driver this may not always be the case, nor would they see/feel the change as they would not be putting the car into those situations where the "flex" would be noticeable.

Hope that has helped!

[JohnD]

I am, as I freely admit, a "poser."

SPIRIT looks really, really mean. But I'm not.

I don't street race, ever. I feel guilty when I speed. I haven't been on a track. That being said...

I like to drive twisty roads. When I come up to a curve, I like to see how fast I can take them. If I am going down a 65mph speed limit road and I see one of those signs that "recommends" taking a corner at 35 I just laugh. I might not even tap on the brakes at all. Those signs are there to advise speed for everything from my low, lean and mean SKY to a 1969 VW Microbus on rusty springs. I find minor joys like that in daily driving.

In truth, the reBAR probably won't add that much to my handling on those curves. Maybe a little.

What I do like about the idea, though, is that by having a stiffer car I should develop fewer squeaks and rattles over time. Stiffening is generally a good thing in any case to help with that. And convertibles, with no roof and pillars to add structural strength, are notorious for flexing and getting "squeaky."

For me, that was the attraction. Stiffen it up a bit to reduce squeaks and rattles. Maybe make the cornering ever-so-slightly better.

Oh, and to look badass when other envious people look at the car from behind.

After all, I am a poser.

[OPEL-GT]

It adds extra weight

[Kappa Fan]

Originally Posted by JohnD

I am, as I freely admit, a "poser."

SPIRIT looks really, really mean. But I'm not.

I don't street race, ever. I feel guilty when I speed. I haven't been on a track. That being said...

I like to drive twisty roads. When I come up to a curve, I like to see how fast I can take them. If I am going down a 65mph speed limit road and I see one of those signs that "recommends" taking a corner at 35 I just laugh. I might not even tap on the brakes at all. Those signs are there to advise speed for everything from my low, lean and mean SKY to a 1969 VW Microbus on rusty springs. I find minor joys like that in daily driving.

In truth, the reBAR probably won't add that much to my handling on those curves. Maybe a little.

What I do like about the idea, though, is that by having a stiffer car I should develop fewer squeaks and rattles over time. Stiffening is generally a good thing in any case to help with that. And convertibles, with no roof and pillars to add structural strength, are notorious for flexing and getting "squeaky."

For me, that was the attraction. Stiffen it up a bit to reduce squeaks and rattles. Maybe make the cornering ever-so-slightly better.

Oh, and to look badass when other envious people look at the car from behind.

After all, I am a poser.

John .... I was told by my engineer friend that I would probably see 'some' advantage from this bar - and I too like to "push" thru those types of curves ... I also like to do some 'spirited' driving on the back roads. IMHO anything that will improve the already great handling just means a little more 'push' - however slight it may be!

Thanks for provided feedback on your thoughts with regard to the benefits!

[JRinKY]

One undesirable characteristic that may result from the stiffer chassis is a shift from understeer to oversteer when driving at the limit. A car that tends toward oversteer is more easily steered with the throttle, because it is less stable. This is a great characteristic when you want it, but it is seriously scary when you don't.

I am not recommending that you either get the rebar or do not. I like the idea of tighter handling, and am considering one myself. But, I like the margin of safety that my current handling setup gives me, and I am hesitant to lose it.