Cusco front strut bar blocks intercooler intake

seno · 06-12-2012, 11:02 PM

Hey Guys. New to the forums and was hoping for some help/info on installing the Cusco front strut bar.

I searched online and on forums on how to install these strut bar and it seemed straight forward. I tried to install the bar this weekend, and everything was going well until I tried to close the hood and noticed that the intercooler intake piece was bending backwards because the strut bar was in the way.

I have the car on a level ground and tightened the bolts equally on both sides before tightening all the way down. I also tried to "push" the bar further back a bit, but that obviously didn't help.

Any ideas on what im doing wrong?

Thanks in advance.

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seno · 06-12-2012, 11:03 PM

also helps if i told you guys that I have a 2012 wrx with everything stock so far.

i_c_the_light · 06-13-2012, 01:44 AM

Turn it around?

seno · 06-13-2012, 09:00 AM

Ummm.. i know i have it in the right direction.

Groundup · 06-13-2012, 10:14 AM

Photo?

Bacon117 · 06-13-2012, 10:42 AM

+1 for the photo.

seno · 06-13-2012, 11:20 AM

i'll be able to post a photo when i get home from work.

Thanks.

seno · 06-14-2012, 12:08 PM

The intercooler intake in the middle will hit the strut bar just by a few centimeters and it will bend backwards. Not sure what I did wrong on this install.

If anyone has an advice/info it would be appreciated.

Thanks

Big-E · 06-14-2012, 02:02 PM

Do you have a sedan or hatch (just curious) and do you have the part-number for the bar?

I wonder if this is a bar for a non-turbo model or other Subaru model?

seno · 06-14-2012, 02:28 PM

I have the sedan and the part number is: CUS 692 540 A

I bought the part from rallysportdirect.com

Big-E · 06-14-2012, 08:38 PM

Do you have any other pictures of the bar installed? Say from higher up in the center, and from the sides? I would like to see how the bar itself is shaped.

The center of the Beatrush bar is curved rearward to compensate for the I/C and Whiteline's is a smaller diameter tube versus the more wide and flat diameter bar by Cusco. The bar from GT Spec is similar to that of Cusco and based on the pictures posted on RSD's website, seems to sit a bit further back/closer to the firewall.

It's also possible that the bar is correct, but because of manufacturing tolerances: your strut towers are closer to the front of the vehicle; the hood is closer to the windshield, and the intercooler splitter is also shifted toward the windshield. Because of this, everything comes together to make your day that much more frustrating; it won't fit.

seno · 06-14-2012, 10:35 PM

Hopefully you can get something out of this. It's just a very slight block.

bhhamblin · 06-14-2012, 10:51 PM

trim the duct.

seno · 06-18-2012, 09:43 AM

I dont think triming the duct is going to work because it will still bend backwards. Unless i cut the whole duct off which I dont want to do that.

VinSVT · 06-18-2012, 12:25 PM

I was about to order one of these for my car... guess I will wait.

seno · 06-20-2012, 05:07 PM

No one has any ideas?

Dr. octagon · 06-20-2012, 05:18 PM

Can you take a pic of EXACTLY where it is rubbing.......i am ray charles right now and don't see ****. Cusco front tower bar always angles backward, are you refering to the ac line?

VinSVT · 06-20-2012, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seno

No one has any ideas?

I went back to Rally Sport Direct's website and noticed this review/comment.

Cusco Front Strut Bar on 2011 WRX

"Easy install. Just make sure when close the hood. the scoop that plastic may hit the strut bar...you can see the photo on Cusco instruction paper too..."

Did you see anything in the instructions that mentions this?

seno · 06-20-2012, 07:45 PM

I saw that on the rallysportdirect site also and talked to the support but they had no idea either.

HinshawWRX · 06-20-2012, 09:04 PM

Send it back, strut bars on these cars are for looks anyways.

foothill · 01-23-2013, 09:16 AM

I've been wondering about this as well. Fast WRX has this disclaimer on the description.

Quote:

2008+ bars bolt directly on, with no relocating of hoses, although for the WRX you'll have to remove the little scoopie flap at the back of the hood.

http://www.fastwrx.com/cusfronstrut.html

Mr Wrex · 01-23-2013, 09:22 AM

Quote:

2008+ bars bolt directly on, with no relocating of hoses, although for the WRX you'll have to remove the little scoopie flap at the back of the hood.

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.

HinshawWRX · 01-23-2013, 09:29 AM

Quote:

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.

Dan/Mach V are idiots?

But I am glad someone bumped a 6 month old thread....

Mr Wrex · 01-23-2013, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HinshawWRX

I am glad someone bumped a 6 month old thread....

Would you prefer he create a new thread on something that has been asked before? It shows he searched before asking, which most newbs fail to do

HinshawWRX · 01-23-2013, 09:53 AM

Way to avoid the first part.

06-12-2012, 11:02 PM	#1
seno Scooby Newbie Member#: 142128 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Vehicle: 2012 WRX Charcoal Grey	Cusco front strut bar blocks intercooler intake Hey Guys. New to the forums and was hoping for some help/info on installing the Cusco front strut bar. I searched online and on forums on how to install these strut bar and it seemed straight forward. I tried to install the bar this weekend, and everything was going well until I tried to close the hood and noticed that the intercooler intake piece was bending backwards because the strut bar was in the way. I have the car on a level ground and tightened the bolts equally on both sides before tightening all the way down. I also tried to "push" the bar further back a bit, but that obviously didn't help. Any ideas on what im doing wrong? Thanks in advance. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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06-12-2012, 11:03 PM	#2
seno Scooby Newbie Member#: 142128 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Vehicle: 2012 WRX Charcoal Grey	also helps if i told you guys that I have a 2012 wrx with everything stock so far.

06-13-2012, 01:44 AM	#3
i_c_the_light Scooby Guru Member#: 88618 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: New Zealand Vehicle: 1994 Legacy "The Silver Slug"	Turn it around?

06-13-2012, 09:00 AM	#4
seno Scooby Newbie Member#: 142128 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Vehicle: 2012 WRX Charcoal Grey	Ummm.. i know i have it in the right direction.

06-13-2012, 10:14 AM	#5
Groundup Scooby Newbie Member#: 294682 Join Date: Sep 2011 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Maine Vehicle: 02 wrx Sedona Red	Photo?

06-13-2012, 10:42 AM	#6
Bacon117 Scooby Specialist Member#: 118500 Join Date: Jun 2006 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Michigan Vehicle: 02 Silver Wagon "Stage 2"	+1 for the photo.

06-13-2012, 11:20 AM	#7
seno Scooby Newbie Member#: 142128 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Vehicle: 2012 WRX Charcoal Grey	i'll be able to post a photo when i get home from work. Thanks.

06-14-2012, 12:08 PM	#8
seno Scooby Newbie Member#: 142128 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Vehicle: 2012 WRX Charcoal Grey	The intercooler intake in the middle will hit the strut bar just by a few centimeters and it will bend backwards. Not sure what I did wrong on this install. If anyone has an advice/info it would be appreciated. Thanks

06-14-2012, 02:02 PM	#9
Big-E NASIOC Supporter Member#: 123843 Join Date: Aug 2006 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Greenwich, CT Vehicle: 2006 SGM WRX S2 Let LED's light your way!	Do you have a sedan or hatch (just curious) and do you have the part-number for the bar? I wonder if this is a bar for a non-turbo model or other Subaru model?

06-14-2012, 02:28 PM	#10
seno Scooby Newbie Member#: 142128 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Vehicle: 2012 WRX Charcoal Grey	I have the sedan and the part number is: CUS 692 540 A I bought the part from rallysportdirect.com

06-14-2012, 08:38 PM	#11
Big-E NASIOC Supporter Member#: 123843 Join Date: Aug 2006 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Greenwich, CT Vehicle: 2006 SGM WRX S2 Let LED's light your way!	Do you have any other pictures of the bar installed? Say from higher up in the center, and from the sides? I would like to see how the bar itself is shaped. The center of the Beatrush bar is curved rearward to compensate for the I/C and Whiteline's is a smaller diameter tube versus the more wide and flat diameter bar by Cusco. The bar from GT Spec is similar to that of Cusco and based on the pictures posted on RSD's website, seems to sit a bit further back/closer to the firewall. It's also possible that the bar is correct, but because of manufacturing tolerances: your strut towers are closer to the front of the vehicle; the hood is closer to the windshield, and the intercooler splitter is also shifted toward the windshield. Because of this, everything comes together to make your day that much more frustrating; it won't fit.

06-14-2012, 10:51 PM	#13
bhhamblin n00b Moderator Moderator Member#: 99397 Join Date: Oct 2005 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Clinton, UT Vehicle: '13 BRZ, '13 STi SRs13 '83 Skyline '93 GTR	trim the duct.

06-14-2012, 10:35 PM	#12
seno Scooby Newbie Member#: 142128 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Vehicle: 2012 WRX Charcoal Grey	Hopefully you can get something out of this. It's just a very slight block.

06-18-2012, 09:43 AM	#14
seno Scooby Newbie Member#: 142128 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Vehicle: 2012 WRX Charcoal Grey	I dont think triming the duct is going to work because it will still bend backwards. Unless i cut the whole duct off which I dont want to do that.

06-18-2012, 12:25 PM	#15
VinSVT Scooby Newbie Member#: 77637 Join Date: Dec 2004	I was about to order one of these for my car... guess I will wait.

06-20-2012, 05:07 PM	#16
seno Scooby Newbie Member#: 142128 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Vehicle: 2012 WRX Charcoal Grey	No one has any ideas?

06-20-2012, 05:18 PM	#17
Dr. octagon Scooby Specialist Member#: 171127 Join Date: Feb 2008 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Fredericksburg Vehicle: 62XX Rotated *Mo Displacement	Can you take a pic of EXACTLY where it is rubbing.......i am ray charles right now and don't see ****. Cusco front tower bar always angles backward, are you refering to the ac line?

06-20-2012, 07:45 PM	#19
seno Scooby Newbie Member#: 142128 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Vehicle: 2012 WRX Charcoal Grey	I saw that on the rallysportdirect site also and talked to the support but they had no idea either.

06-20-2012, 09:04 PM	#20
HinshawWRX n00b Moderator Moderator Member#: 140114 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Jolly ol York of VA Vehicle: 06 18G Semi Built SGM WRX	Send it back, strut bars on these cars are for looks anyways.

01-23-2013, 09:53 AM	#25
HinshawWRX n00b Moderator Moderator Member#: 140114 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Jolly ol York of VA Vehicle: 06 18G Semi Built SGM WRX	Way to avoid the first part.