My review of the AWE Drive Train Stabilizer (DTS) bar.

[tdn]

Warning, it's semi long.. I'll put each section in bold if you want to skip to a certain part.

Introduction

I went the least expensive route of trying to eliminate the engine/transmission slop found on our b5's by replacing my snub, engine and transmission mounts with much stiffer and highly recommended mounts. They made a great improvement, but I wasn't satisfied. I could still feel plenty of movement, not only on spirited drives but just driving around the city. I know many people wouldn't notice and most of those that do probably wouldn't care but not me. It bugged the shit out of me, like many things with my car that I know should be better.

I was very skeptical about buying the AWE DTS bar after reading some other reviews that noted little or no noticeable improvement, but with the holiday sale pricing the bar at $252 shipped (ends the 31st of Dec) compared to the $350 regular price, I decided to take a chance. I bought my bar from Jeremy@Matrix (www.matrixintegrated.cc).

Many of the reviews I read recommended buying the Energy Suspension Transmission Mounts - noting that it was much stiffer than the one AWE included. I bought mine from Summit Racing for about $25 shipped. You won't need the backing plate or bolts that come with this, the ones that come with the AWE DTS works just fine on the a4 (you'll apparently need to buy a couple bolts for the s4).

Installation.

Before the install I applied a few layers of clear coat on the bar and backing plate to help keep it looking good.

The install was very easy and straight forward, but like with everything else you're doing for the first time (or first few times for somethings), make sure you read the instructions. It's pretty much unbolt the old bar and bolt the new bar.



As you can see, it looks ten times better than the old stock bar. In retrospect, I should have taken a picture of their thickness. The AWE DTS bar was roughly four times thicker than the stock bar. What I liked about AWE DTS bar so far is that it connects to the transmission, unlike the stock bar.

This picture shows the Energy Suspension mount and the AWE backing plate.



The install didn't take more than an hour with all the proper tools.

Here it is installed.



the Test


Just putting my car into reverse to back off the car ramps, I noticed a difference. Everything felt much more intact. Also, no added vibration. In fact, the slight vibration I felt with the upgraded mounts has very slightly diminished. So far I'm impressed, but not $252 dollars impressed.

I take the car for a spin around the city and I no longer have movement when I completely release the clutch in a low gear at a high rpm. I take the car out for a 20 mile drive along route 2 and some top secret roads I like to drive on - I do a couple 3-4k rpm launches and the car feels completely solid. Driving around I'm shifting a thousand more times than necessary, just trying to get some movement out of my drive train and I can't.

Had I known it would have been like this I would have shelled out $350 and bought this long ago.


In conclusion

It works as advertised and I'm very happy. A little expensive, but worth the money, If you're staying stock (k03/k04) you could probably forgo upgrading your stock transmission and engine mounts (minus the snub) assuming they're in good condition - I'd just buy a stiffer snub and bracket, coupled with the DTS bar.

If you've already bought this and didn't notice much of a difference, I'd recommend trying the polyurethane transmission mount over the AWE rubber mount @ summit for about $25

If you have no drive train issues, save your money. but if are bugged by the sloppiness still felt even with upgraded mounts. it's worth the money.

10/10 with the Energy Suspension mount.


Additional Pics (30Dec08)

Here's a weak comparison of the thicknesses of the stock bar vs the AWE DTS.



Here are a couple of pics in hopes to give you an idea on how much clearance I've got. This is with the stock sport height. Ground to fender, I measured 25 3/4". From the bar to the ground I measured 4 1/4"

[ghost6303]

i recently installed this bar as well, got it on sale for like $260. well worth it. however i will say this thing increased the vibration in cabin by two fold. my keys now rattle while sitting at a stop light, at idle and low RPMs is where its most noticable. its nothing i cant live with, but it may be too much for some people.

i did get the JHM upgraded (stiffer) mount along with the bar, and have previously installed 034 street density mounts all the way around, so there was very little play and some vibration to begin with, but the level of vibration increased dramatically with the addition of this bar. though that is sort of to be expected, less movement/articulation = greater transfer of vibration.

[tdn]

Complete opposite for me. AWE also claims 0 vibrations from the bar, and even with the upgraded mount, there were no added vibrations for me, as I stated above, there was even less vibration. I also have street density mounts all the way around, including the 034 snub mount and bracket. So our set ups are identical.

"movement/articulation = greater transfer of vibration."

Actually, the bar creates more points of contact, so the vibration is dispersed more though out the vehicle, hence the zero or less vibration.

If your keys are jiggling you definitely have an issue.

Try loosening your engine, tranny and snub mount bracket. Let your car idle for a couple of minutes. Turn off the engine, and re-tighten all the mounts.

Nothing in my car jiggles and my cabin is quiet.

[djwimbo]

I'm going the BYOB(build your own bar) technique as soon as I get the cash to do it.

I'm not paying that much money for something like that.

[tdn]

I thought of this too when I was installing mine, when you get it done put up a DIY.

Anyway, this thread was just to help anyone on the fence like I was, not so much for those who've already made up their minds. I don't regret my decision at all.

[b5andm3]

I need to invest in this. The slack in my drivetrain is ridiculous

[f15046]

I would also like to build my own, it looks relatively simple to make.

[tdn]

Go for it. I'm curious to see what you guys can come up with. This is a very well engineered piece.. I can understand why it's expensive, again in my opinion (especially at the sale price) it's completely worth the price.

If you're going to make your own the most important part is getting the extra transmission mount on there. You can weld or add a stronger center, but you'd have to figure out how to re-inforce the mounting plates as well. It'll probably end up weighing more more than the 6lbs the AWE DTS comes in at.

I think if you're to make your own, your best bet would be to make an entirely new piece and not reinforce the stock one. If you have a shop make it for you, it'll probably be cheap but not by much unless made in mass. Would be awesome if you guys could come up with something just as effective and cheaper, it would be a great investment.

[b5andm3]

Sometimes it just isn't worth making your own...

[audiFUEGO]

I have an ASP one with a summit mount... its ok... not worth 350..

Vibration increased greatly but only with the AC on. I think it all depends on how you install it.

[Euro-Tuner]

I've wanter one of these since I've had an A4 but it has never been worth the price, I think its a shame companies like AWE charge so much for something like this, and dont go telling me how much research and development is put into them, I know, but its not worth the ending price IMO

[Maki]

I've wanter one of these since I've had an A4 but it has never been worth the price, I think its a shame companies like AWE charge so much for something like this, and dont go telling me how much research and development is put into them, I know, but its not worth the ending price IMO

But the material ain't cheap either.

If I just had contacts in the us I'd buy one as fast as I just could, but now it will probably be about 500usd before it's in Sweden. Damn these taxes..

[minira]

thanks for the review! i've been contemplating this bar for a while now, but really wanted to get a good review on them. I'm going to have to invest into this in the future especially with more track days next year.

[pac1085]

I have an ASP one with a summit mount... its ok... not worth 350..

Vibration increased greatly but only with the AC on. I think it all depends on how you install it.

Loosen up the 2 bolts that connect the bar to the transmission mount, then start the car and let it idle, and tighten them back up. it should get rid of any vibration if you idle the car with them loose.

[djwimbo]

... and dont go telling me how much research and development is put into them, I know, but its not worth the ending price IMO

It's designed so that during an accident the drivetrain will still be pushed under the tunnel of the car. It's a well designed piece, but you also pay for it.

Part of the reason the pricing is so high, is that the two pieces that attach at the subframe are CNC'd/billet Alum.

Personally, I'll be making one out of steel, but I'm not going low enough to where it will scrape and make sparks.

... and yes, I have drivetrain slop(not much, but too much for me) even after the density mounts all around.

[Euro-Tuner]

But the material ain't cheap either.

maybe not in Sweden, but metal value is at an extremely low point here in the states, aluminum is worthless right now.

Personally, I'll be making one out of steel, but I'm not going low enough to where it will scrape and make sparks.

good for strength, but it'll weigh a lot more

[audiFUEGO]

Loosen up the 2 bolts that connect the bar to the transmission mount, then start the car and let it idle, and tighten them back up. it should get rid of any vibration if you idle the car with them loose.

Do you tighten them back up while the car is idling?

Forgot to mention that when the bar was bolted to the frame, the holes on the bar did not line up perfectly with the holes on the tranny. Had to use a prybar to tighten those bolts in... very slightly but I still had to do it.

[flyromeo3]

how low (thickness )does this bar hang from underneath?
Say for lowered vehicles will I scrap the shit out of this while driving?

[dstdub]

just wondering if anybody has info on how this is on a stock 2.8 engine. anyone?

[pac1085]

Do you tighten them back up while the car is idling?

Forgot to mention that when the bar was bolted to the frame, the holes on the bar did not line up perfectly with the holes on the tranny. Had to use a prybar to tighten those bolts in... very slightly but I still had to do it.

well, that's for sure why it's causing vibration. it doesn't really matter when you tighten them, it's just to let everything 'fall into place'

i have zero vibrations with mine, and another guy on AW, i told him to do this and it fixed his.

[solowb5]

Who cares if it allows it to be pushed back? If you're in an accident and your shit is getting pushed packed you have other things to be worried about. That gimmick isn't going to increase your safety.

[tdn]

how low (thickness )does this bar hang from underneath?
Say for lowered vehicles will I scrap the shit out of this while driving?

I just updated the original post with a bunch of pictures I just took, I measured my ground to fender height and the bar to ground height.

I hope that helped.