Traction bar

[gooseisloose]

Looking for a traction bar for my Accord. Seem like the only ones I can find are Innovative and ESP and it looks like ESP's website is deserted. Other then those two all I can find is ebay junk.

Are these the only two games in town? Should I just stop looking and get the Innovative? All the reviews I read seem positive. Just wondering if there is any other ones I should look at.

Looks like they haven't released the front mount yet according to their website. Anybody have one without the mount?

[Frijoles]

ESP is currently not making traction bars.


As far as I know, Innovative doesn't either. However, I'm about to check that right now because I am trying to find out if anyone (other than eBay) is currently producing them as I need a new one. (old one was eBay)

ESP, last I checked, is currently not in business. They haven't completely closed their doors, their website is still up, but they aren't making or taking orders. They also haven't been replying to emails.

[deevergote]

Yeah, ESP is basically down for good. They said they may come back if there is a great enough demand for their products, but I don't see that happening. Their quality was very good, and their prices were extremely low for what you got, but they were still pricier than most CB7tuners can comfortably afford at the moment. We've become a pretty poor bunch on the whole, since our cars are now purchased for $500-$1000, rather than the $2500-$3500 that people were spending back when ESP started making parts for us!

Anyway, you can use the Innovative bar for a Prelude. I forget if it's the 4th gen or 5th gen, but it has been discussed on here fairly recently.

[93redcb7]

the 92-96 prelude traction bar fits

[deevergote]

Thanks. I couldn't remember if it was the 4th gen or the 5th gen.

[gooseisloose]

Anyway, you can use the Innovative bar for a Prelude. I forget if it's the 4th gen or 5th gen, but it has been discussed on here fairly recently.

They actually have it listed on their site fitting both. I read that post you mentioned when I was searching. I just didn't want to buy it only to find out there is something better or comparable or better priced out there. Either way looks like my mind is made up. Thanks for the responses guys.

[93redcb7]

They actually have it listed on their site fitting both. I read that post you mentioned when I was searching. I just didn't want to buy it only to find out there is something better or comparable or better priced out there. Either way looks like my mind is made up. Thanks for the responses guys.

let me know how the install goes, mines still sitting in the corner of my bed room.. kinda waiting till i put my built motor in, and just do everything at once

[Raf99]

ESP is currently not making traction bars.


As far as I know, Innovative doesn't either. However, I'm about to check that right now because I am trying to find out if anyone (other than eBay) is currently producing them as I need a new one. (old one was eBay)

ESP, last I checked, is currently not in business. They haven't completely closed their doors, their website is still up, but they aren't making or taking orders. They also haven't been replying to emails.

Yeep, sucks. I only needed their front upper bar to complete my setup
But even looking at ebay when you cancel out all the knock-offs, there are maybe 1 -3 of them (megan, ractive, TC sportsline?) and then some on random sites on the web. Soon such simple things will be rare, ie - ESP 4-point rear upper strut bar

[gooseisloose]

let me know how the install goes, mines still sitting in the corner of my bed room.. kinda waiting till i put my built motor in, and just do everything at once

I always say they same thing and then I just can't wait. I have my LSD trans out of car for rebuild and planned on installing the traction bar when I reinstall it, along with lower control arm bushings. Probably going to start looking for struts and springs soon as well.

One would think I should just wait until I have everything and replace it all at once but I can never wait. I'll do them as I get them probably and end up doing 7 alignments on my car lol.

I'll take some pics during the install and let you know how it goes.

[f22ax_Rocks]

Damn esp out for good. Sucks. Oh well good thing I weld my own parts now.

Also is the OEM stabilizer bar no good or do u just make too much whp/tq? Kind of curious as to how helpful those heavy pieces are

[deevergote]

A traction bar replaces the front crossmember and radius rods. The radius rods have rubber bushings at both ends. A traction bar has solid bushings, and stronger tubular construction than the stock stamped subframe and thinner radius rods.

Depending on the materials used, the weight may actually be less than stock. I don't recall if I compared weights when I installed my traction bar (too late now, as it's welded to my frame.)

[f22ax_Rocks]

I would have thought that oem radius rods help a little with traction and wheel hop. Guess I was wrong. I did try driving my old cb7 with those off and boy oh boy did i get massive wheel scraping and caster. Seems kind of like the other link to a civic A arm. How about replacing those crap rubber bushings with polyurethan bushings?

[lbus9168]

Me and a few friends are heaps into preludes, I don't know if any of you have seen the drifting 3rd gen that lives down here in Canberra? Anyway, I've pulled apart a fee preludes and I can say with a fair amount of confidence that the front suspension on the 92-01 preludes is the same, not counting the ATTS fifth gen.

[dohcaccord97]

innovative has made a traction bar for the 90-97 accord.. i really want to pick one up but have not idea how long they can last on a daily driven car..

[gooseisloose]

Finally got around to installing the traction bar. Ended up waiting to get my trans back together so I could just do it all at once.

I didn't get a chance to take any pics but I'll get some this week.

The install wasn't hard but it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I had to trim some of the lower rad support where the radiator bushings sit. It wasn't much and I was able to do it with the radiator in the car. A couple quick cuts with a cut off wheel I was good to go. It sits real tight to the radiator bottom. I do have an aftermarket radiator in there so not sure if the bottom tank sits lower then a Honda one.

The front feels so solid now. I ended up replacing the front lower arm and lower shock bushings with poly ones. The steering response is great. Never really had wheel hop issues but shifting feels more solid I guess you can say. I do notice some body roll at times. I am still running stock shocks and coils. Those will probably be next. Just need to find springs that won't lower my car too much. Trying to stay as oem looking as possible.

Already bought some 15" steelies so I can get some better tires. Need to find a clean set of oem hubcaps for them.

I still can't get over how fun this car is to drive. I find myself just smiling like an idiot after merging on the highway or taking some back roads.