Cusco front strut bar blocks intercooler intake

[Trustkevin13]

I have this and i sorta fixed it? i guess. I took off the extra trim piece (aka splitter) cause its attached to the rubber with plastic bolts. i could get some pics if you want. just message me.

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[foothill]

Originally Posted by Trustkevin13

I have this and i sorta fixed it? i guess. I took off the extra trim piece (aka splitter) cause its attached to the rubber with plastic bolts. i could get some pics if you want. just message me.

Could you post some pics? Or PM me if you don't want to do that.

I looked at the splitter and removing it is simple, but this is going to compromise the effectiveness of the tmic.

I'm guessing the SPT part doesn't require this mod?

[Trustkevin13]

Here are some pics.

[GregOrz]

Originally Posted by Mr Wrex

Those idiots meant to say "splitter" Yes, the bar will hit your splitter. Luckily for me, I replaced my splitter when I purchased the Process West TMIC so I won't have this problem with installing mine.

So Mr. Wrex, how did the fitment turn out with the Cusco, Process West, and metal splitter? I am getting a PW TMIC with the metal splitter and I am worried that it will make contact with my Cusco.

[maizer89]

how close are you? I have the same cusco bar and when i close my good the back plastic tab on my scoop barely makes it inbetween my avo TMIC and the bar, i would just loosen everything and just try to push the bar back a little further

[stikilla]

sad to see that the post which stated to most useful information was ignored. these bars do absolutely nothing for our cars except add curb weight, and reduce wallet weight. if you are having fitment problems then take it off, problem solved.

[Jack ffr1846]

FMIC and scoopless hood.

Problem solved.

My WRX had the scoopless hood and FMIC along with a tein front strut bar when I bought it. I've since removed the bar and sold it to help fund new wheels.

I think this is a good option for you too. You would like new wheels, right?

[GregOrz]

IDK people knocking the front strut bar, I understand if that is the ONLY brace you have. Then surely it is useless. But in my case, I have Whiteline sways, KB end links, Bilsteins and Yellow Springs, and an assortment of bushings, pitch stop, etc. I feel like when I added the front strut brace it reinforced all the bracing I had done under the car, from up top. The car tracked a little better and it was more responsive to steering wheel input. That being said, I have noticed a larger need for a rear strut bar, as the back has become noticeably laggy.

[Mr Wrex]

Originally Posted by GregOrz

IDK people knocking the front strut bar, I understand if that is the ONLY brace you have. Then surely it is useless. But in my case, I have Whiteline sways, KB end links, Bilsteins and Yellow Springs, and an assortment of bushings, pitch stop, etc. I feel like when I added the front strut brace it reinforced all the bracing I had done under the car, from up top. The car tracked a little better and it was more responsive to steering wheel input. That being said, I have noticed a larger need for a rear strut bar, as the back has become noticeably laggy.

Everyone is complaining about the guys who decide to only install a front strut bar. With your suspension mods, you pretty much had nothing left to install but the bar and chassis bracing, so it's fine.

[stikilla]

Originally Posted by GregOrz

IDK people knocking the front strut bar, I understand if that is the ONLY brace you have. Then surely it is useless. But in my case, I have Whiteline sways, KB end links, Bilsteins and Yellow Springs, and an assortment of bushings, pitch stop, etc. I feel like when I added the front strut brace it reinforced all the bracing I had done under the car, from up top. The car tracked a little better and it was more responsive to steering wheel input. That being said, I have noticed a larger need for a rear strut bar, as the back has become noticeably laggy.

Talk to some shops, if they are honest with you and not just willing to sell you anything you ask for to make a buck then they will tell you this bar will not help you, especially if you have done the appropriate other suspension work. In older cars and in different car models/brands the tower strut does help with flex. That is do to the design of the car and chassis, our cars do not have this characteristic.


TIC (best in the business as far as suspension goes in most of the members' opinions around here) and quite a few others hold this opinion as i was interested in this mod and was told repeated testing and use had yielded no true performance gain. You have also been given the same advice by people with years of racing experience/instructing on this forum. cough...jack...cough

All that being said, it's a relatively cheap mod that looks pretty when you open your hood. We all know that cheap mods are hard to find when it comes to these cars, and who doesnt like a little engine bay bling. If it makes you feel like the car is more responsive by all means, confidence is half the battle right. Once i have done the other suspension work i want, (i have a nice long list from TIC, of which they removed half of the original parts i inquired about, citing that they were not needed and had no documentable performance gain) i will probably throw one on when i turn in my water jug full of change for some cash. Like i said who doesnt like a little bling under the hood.

[GregOrz]

Bling bling, every time I come around yo city
Bling bling, pinky ring worth about fifty
Bling bling, every time I buy a new ride
Bling bling, Lorinsers on Yokohama tires, bling bling