BigRich

What are some of the pros and cons of installing a tower bar? I've been thinking of installing one, but would like to know a lil more that "it helps your steering!"

CPerez100

PROS only ! better handling and when going on curves you will see the difference between "stock" and the "new" goodie.

BigRich

Is $65.00 a good price for one? If so I'm going to get it.. It also seems easy to install.. A cheap and simple mod..

flipside909

Pros: Your chassis will be stiffer...hence better handling.

Cons: The bar's clearance in proximity to the intake plenum is very little.

Captain Ratman

Danger BigRich danger!!! (lost-in-space robot) Are you, by any chance, buying this strut bar off of E-bay? If so, is the company called Autobacs? If that is the company, STAY AWAY from them at all costs!!! I bought a strut bar from them off of
E-bay and it had a defective strut bracket! I tried to convince him (Mr. Hung Lai is the owners name) that the bracket was faulty (holes not drilled in proper location) and his reply was that I didn't know how to install it properly and wanted digital pics of my set-up BEFORE even considering returning it at MY expense! I told him that I didn't possess a camera and tried to assure him that the unit was defective but he just didn't believe me.....well, to make a long story short, I still have the defective strut bar tower and he has my 62 dollars! Don't trust this man! He is a SCAM artist who doesn't want to take responsibility for any defective items he ships out!

So far, Autobacs is the only company I know who sells the aftermarket strut bar for the ES300 so I will bet that is where you are buying it from. If you do decide to buy (against my warning), let us know how it went, okay?

Thanks,

Scott.

CPerez100

Thanks Scott... I was just about to buy some too... I was just waiting for the garage to clear so I could have more space to do it. (well, my friend is gonna do it for me).

But, after reading your story I am one of the people who will step away...

That would be a "CONS" for sure !!

BigRich

Yes it was off of ebay.. Thanks man for letting me know.. I'll probebly stay away for now.. I hope you left some negative feedback!

flipside909

Don't forget...those strut bars designed to fit the Gen3 92-96 Camry V6 models will fit the ES. But be forewarned...the clearance between the intake plenum and the bar will be minimal.

BigRich

Please dont laugh but what is the intake plenum?

Captain Ratman

No problem folks.....glad to help! I don't want anyone to be in the same situation as I was!! I did complain and got no where with E-Bay as well so I may not be ordering anything in the future from E-Bay for a while.

Scott

Captain Ratman

That is a good question BigRich and nobody will laugh at you. The intake plenum is a chamber to which air and fuel are mixed together then forced down to the combustion chamber via your valves in the head. In the "olden" days it used to be called the intake manifold. If you open up the hood of your Lex, you will find it as the tallest item in your engine. It is a "silvery" looking box right in the middle of your engine.

Scott.

BigRich

Ok now I know exactly what your talking about! Does the clearence make any difference?

Captain Ratman

Since there just a few inches between the top of the hood and the intake plenum chamber for which the strut bar HAS to go over the top, clearance is EXTREMELY important! Too high and your hood will not close OR if you try to force it, you will have a HIGH RISE hood whether you like it or not! :eek:

Scott.

BigRich

Well with my crazy hood, who knows!! Check out my you'll never believe this thread!

VZV21

Here's a con:

Get's in the way when you're trying to change the plugs.

The ES250 strut bar, bends around the intake plenum. Of course, it does not have a fancy plastic over on the plenum.