What does the torque bar do in a crash?

aznatama · Apr 16, 2018

Was looking at the design of the engine torque bar, the thing inside the engine bay that some people call a strut bat even though it doesn't tie the top of the struts together, and was thinking... why hasn't anyone fabbed up a true strut bar replacement to this monstrosity, with provisions for the upper torque mount to bolt into, as well as a master cylinder brace?

My BRZ's Cusco strut bar had a MBC brace, which noticeably improved brake pedal feel by virtually eliminating firewall flex when the brake pedal was pushed.

So my questions are:

What does the OEM upper tqmount do in a frontal crash? Does the part connecting to the upper engine torque mount collapse/break off to allow the engine to slide under the passenger compartment? It may be hard to fabricate a replacement if this is part of the crumple zone design, unless you ignore that part of the possible safety feature. however, that being said, I couldn't find ANY reports/pics of the engine bay after a severe-enough frontal impact that would cause the engine to dislocate. Some pretty bad front impact pics I've seen always left the engine pretty much intact.

Do our caRs suffer from firewall flex when the brake is engaged? Hard to test this by myself, since I can't visually see the MBC in the driver's seat.

contrast · Apr 16, 2018

Its purpouse is yes to “guide” the engine below the passanger compartment in a frontal collision.

aznatama · Apr 16, 2018

contrast said:
Its purpouse is yes to "guide" the engine below the passanger compartment in a frontal collision.

By pivoting on the upper torque mount? Any idea if it's suppose to break away, or stay intact as long as possible?

If it's supposed to break away, an aluminum version would be weaker than steel and still function accordingly if built similarly. Hmmm...

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contrast · Apr 16, 2018

I have no idea. The engineers at Volvo probably crashed a few to come up with this design. I doubt any of us can improve upon it.
At least as far as safety goes.

aznatama · Apr 16, 2018

I mean, does it actually function in that way though? Wasn't trying to improve the crash safety, more interested in seeing if it was possible to clean up the engine bay while adding functionality.

If this giant heavy thing can't be replaced, then a strut bar similar to the UR racing one will have to do.

What about MBC flex?... Anyone know about that one?

@Dougy?

Hounddogger · Apr 17, 2018

The engine also shakes up and down because its a 5 banger. Don't remove it. It's there for safety. It causes the engine to pivot during a crash.

aznatama · Apr 17, 2018

Hounddogger said:
The engine also shakes up and down because its a 5 banger. Don't remove it. It's there for safety. It causes the engine to pivot during a crash.

Not removing it. Was seeing if it was possible to make a replacement mount combined with a true strut bar... Along with a MBC brace.

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LloydDobler · Apr 17, 2018

Lots of people remove the rubber and hard mount it, thereby turning it in to a strut bar. Some then add an additional strut bar.

I like the firewall reinforcement idea although I'm not sure if there's a lot of flex or not.

aznatama · Apr 17, 2018

Hard mounts do not make it a true strut bar because it does not tie the top of the two struts together. It helps, sure, but not as much as a true strut bar would. But if I'm going to get a true strut bar... if it can do double duty to support the upper tq mount, with less than 1lb pf material, then I can toss the stock bar and mounts, which are like ~18lbs. =)

dougy · Apr 17, 2018

aznatama said:
I mean, does it actually function in that way though? Wasn't trying to improve the crash safety, more interested in seeing if it was possible to clean up the engine bay while adding functionality.

If this giant heavy thing can't be replaced, then a strut bar similar to the UR racing one will have to do.

What about MBC flex?... Anyone know about that one?

@Dougy?

1st and foremost it's there to reduces the engine vibration from the cabin...sure it helps at the time of impact, but think logically at 50mph + from side or head on collision those aluminium strut bar mounts will give/brake ...was it designed for that purpose ? i highly doubt it ..most likely those cushy SBM were designed as a fix to a solid strut brace vibration...still does not make sense ? look at there next model? same set up? no? there is your answer.

i made mine into a solid strut bar
http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?229417-Upper-strut-bar-using-factory-one-custom

aznatama · Apr 17, 2018

dougy said:
1st and foremost it's there to reduces the engine vibration from the cabin...sure it helps at the time of impact, but think logically at 50mph + from side or head on collision those aluminium strut bar mounts will give/brake ...was it designed for that purpose ? i highly doubt it ..most likely those cushy SBM were designed as a fix to a solid strut brace vibration...still does not make sense ? look at there next model? same set up? no? there is your answer.

i made mine into a solid strut bar
http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?229417-Upper-strut-bar-using-factory-one-custom

Yeah, I remember seeing that. I'm more focused on the extended part that connected to the upper tq mount though, not the entire bar or the mounts near the struts.

Interesting...

So you really selling your R??

dougy · Apr 17, 2018

dead pics...

here are some

also my strut bar mounts are made out of steel not aluminium

dougy · Apr 17, 2018

aznatama said:
Yeah, I remember seeing that. I'm more focused on the extended part that connected to the upper tq mount though, not the entire bar or the mounts near the struts.

Interesting...

So you really selling your R??

sure if the price is right, why not.

what you mean about the upper torque mount? where do you want to mount it ? you have to have it

and fabrication a strut bar that the torque mount anchors to is pointless...just make the current one into a strut bar...unless you are that eager to reduce 10 lbs ...not worth fabing one imo...also making one into strut bar is a waste i did it cause i was bored and i could.

aznatama · Apr 17, 2018

dougy said:
sure if the price is right, why not.

what you mean about the upper torque mount? where do you want to mount it ? you have to have it

There's the main bar and mount at the end of the bar, then there's a piece that extends from the bar and connects to the round or square upper engine torque mount... ah dammit, too hard to explain. I drew on your pic instead.

What does the torque bar do in a crash?

aznatama

contrast

aznatama

contrast

aznatama

Hounddogger

aznatama

LloydDobler

aznatama

dougy

aznatama

dougy

dougy

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