ted920

guys:

i have the RMM Strut Bar (the really nice looking silver one) on my '99 GS 300.

Fits well and again, looks great. Has the RMM logo in the middle and its one piece of metal.

Ted920

sypc

I also have a 99 GS3 w/ RMM STB. it does fit

Manaray

OK...two GS300 owners verified that the RMM bar fits...let me ask you guys, how's the clearance from the top of the engine? Is it like 1/4" or 1/2" or ?

Now the question is, would you guys want an alternative to the RMM bar? Also, there would be a matching rear STB...

Da-Mit - I recommend doing both front and back and I'm pretty sure that I'll be more than $100 per bar. For comparison, RMM's bar is $275 and even TRD's (which doesn't fit the GS300) was $225 and just recently dropped down to $170 (and they have mass production to help lower cost plus it's made out of steel, not billet or forged aluminum or carbon fiber)...but hey, you never know...maybe it will be around $100...

GlobeCLK

iTrader: (5)

As long as the price isn't over the RMM limit it's all good. I don't like how the RMM is engraved over the bar. No offense to Mr. Millen but I prefer something else

You wanna engrave the bar with my name on it? heh heh sounds very tempting............ or should I get a RAYS ENGINEERING STICKER and slap the RAY part on? :eek:

brushed aluminum bar will probably look the best. Tower, hmmmmm are there ways to paint them? If I do some DIY coloring to the engine compartment in the future, the tower part will also be painted. Default color should be black or gunmetal. YAH GUNMETAL

dgangi

Thanks, Manaray, for the explanation. I would be definitely interested in an STB for my GS3 as long as the ends are black (don't care for red) - preferrably a satin finish. What would look really nice is a polished aluminum cross-bar.

BTW - will there be a problem with hood clearance?

Thx...Doug

Manaray

There should not be any hood clearance problems...the RMM one is said to fit and the owners didn't mention any clearance problems...

What I am thinking about doing is making a FORGED one so it can be thinner (but still strong and lightweight)...that way, you can keep the engine cover and not bump the hood...I'm sure some GS430 owners would be interested in that too...

We'll see...

GlobeCLK

iTrader: (5)

sounds good man. Keep us updated!

2Lexos

manaray.....i would be interested in both the front and rear stb's for my 95 gs300. let me know if we will have color options or just plain polished. but put me down for 2 bars either way. oh, and would the front bar fit ok if i slap a turbo in the there? i should have the turbo in by september......let me know. thanks

Manaray

2Lexos - Unfortunately, I don't know FOR SURE if it'll clear your turbo setup but I think it will...however, you are the only one that inquired about a JZS14x version of the bar so I doubt I'll make one.

Remember, this has to be cost effective. Like I said, I'm sure I'd have to make like 10 to keep the cost down.

Otherwise, if I was just to make ONE, it's going to be VERY expensive...but like I said, we'll see. I'm going to find out some more info sometime this week...

2Lexos

manaray.....i'm sure you'll do what you can. i appreciate the effort that you are putting in to this. Half the shops i go to here in chicago don't even bother to check if they can get parts for my car......they just say "no that part is not available for your car!!" even though i know it's out there. It's nice to know that there are people out there like you that are willing to go out of their way to get things done. Thank you from me and the other clublexus members in advance.

Manaray

2Lexos - Thanks for the compliment!

Ok boys and girls, here is what I've got so far...

I have been contemplating different materials for making the STB's. Of course, the natural choices were Steel and Aluminum. Steel being 2x stronger than Aluminum but weighing about 3x as much (about 2.9x to be more exact).

Now considering that I have to make these things THIN w/o sacrificing strength, I looked into something that I think is a near perfect metal...Titanium. It's as strong as steel and only weighs 60% more than Aluminum.

The only downfall is the cost. Titanium costs a lot more. I am talking to a Titanium specialist (who specializes in Titanium frame structures) to see what kind of deal I can work out. If I can not get the bars built within a reasonable price, I will have to look into aluminum (but I think I'm going to make one for myself!)...if that's the route I need to take, then I am going to go with a high grade Aircraft quality aluminum.

I'll keep you guys posted...

enginyr

Will the the front and rear STB interfere with engine cover or speaker box in the rear? If not i'll take both front and rear. What will it take to get them installed?

Manaray

I am going to try to design the STB to clearn the engine cover. As for the speaker box in the rear, what speaker box are you talking about? You mean the subwoofer that attached to rear deck?

Well here's a picture of my UGO STB...the one I'm making should be in about the same position...

enginyr

If you go steel or aluminum....make sure you chrome plate it. I know a couple plating houses in L.A. I do some design work on the side. I can have local machine shops spit out ANY custom designed machined part anodized/plated any color in 2 weeks or less.

AROD

What about chrome?