By J. Ho-See
Last Updated: 01/26/97

BACKGROUND

I used to have a 93 LS that I installed a similar Neuspeed bar. I've also installed a Neuspeed bar into a 92-95 LX 4 door Civic. So I will be comparing information from those two experiences with the GREX unit.

This unit will be fitted to a 96 LS-SE with 6k miles and a DIY K&N intake (which lacks a front brace, but has the GSR suspension otherwise)

SPECIFICATIONS

• 2 - way adjustable
• Lightweight polished aluminum
• Hollow bar
• Blue wrinkle painted end brackets
• Brace mounts to OEM location of GS-R brace

Analysis

I don't like the idea of having an adjustable bar, because IMHO it allows for a degree of flexing. The Neuspeed bar is very rigid when tugging on it. The GREX is fairly rigid, but I feel some instability during the tug test.

The wrinkle paint is a nice touch but it chips off too easily. The Neuspeed bar's powder coating was more durable.

The polished aluminum is very nice looking. The center bar is relatively strong and very light. Again I don't like the idea of having a hollow bar since it won't be as strong as a solid one. (Given the same amount of mass, hollow bars are stronger yes. But I doubt a comparable Neuspeed bar has less mass)

My last gripe is the location of the brace mount. Neuspeed has done their homework and attached their brace to the upper A-arm anchor bolts. These are the same bolts that JacksonRacing/Specialty Products replaces with their adjustable camber units. IMHO, this where a brace should control the chassis twisting to ensure stable camber changes across the front end. It would seem Greddy skipped the engineering thought and just did what Honda did. Now to be fair, maybe Honda figured that the best place for the brace was where they put it. It will be hard to say...

TOOLS

Parts Necessary :

• 1 Grex Tower Bar (PN # : 198703)
• 4 bolts
• 4 nuts
  (I chose to purchase the latter items from a hardware store, but you can buy the genuine Acura ones)

Tools Necessary :

• 2 14 mm wrench/sockets
• 1 large crescent wrench
• 2 more wrenches/sockets (depends on the size of bolts you purchase)

INSTALLATION

Installation is fairly straight forward. I removed the 4 rubber plugs in the chassis. I loosely mounted one end. I adjusted the center section to the correct length to allow correct spacing for the other end to mount. It may take some fiddling to make sure there's an equal amount of center bar across the width of the car (this is a pet peeve probably for the perfectionists) Then I tightened everything up. The only minor bump in the road was a vacuum line running from the intake hose to another location. It was rubbing the brace. By moving it's plastic mounting point, I relocated it and it now avoids hitting the brace.

Something's always in the way...

OTOH, the Neuspeed bar is a bit more difficult to install. It takes a bit of tugging and convincing for the brace to seat on the upper a-arm bolts. Also, depending on your car you may need to reposition/realign some wiring harnesses/ hoses etc. On the 93 Integra, I noticed the brace rubbing on the power steering hose bracket. I simply bent the bracket out of the way a bit. On the 92-95LX I noticed the brace rubbing on a brake line. I ground off the pesky portion and repainted it. No problems since.

Copyright 2002, Temple of VTEC