Pacman1193

HPS Performance Front Strut Bar 2016-2020 Lexus IS200t IS300 2.0T, 42-100 × 1

is to be delivered shortly.


Anyone know if placing a strut bar on the shock towers on front changed their "feel" considerably ?

Kluke15

not on an IS but my previous mustang felt very loose in the front when i took off the strut bar. seemed much more rigid in front and better handling feeling with the bar on. i would imagine similar results on the IS

Nexus713

I got Megan Racing strut bar on my 22 IS350 and i can tell i feel the difference! Especially on curves in higher speeds it feels like less body roll and feels more responsive, like doesn’t ‘float’ if that makes any sense. It feels more ‘rigid’, i wonder if adding rear strut bar would make it feel even better, cause I plan to do that in the future

Pacman1193

Thnx. Yes. So the issue with float as you term it is if you do corners in high-speed you want instant feel and want the car to go exactly where you point it.

Amazing a part that's like $100-$300 can make such a huge change!

InveredMP

I have a 2019 IS300 F Sport and the HPS strut bar would touch the hood when it is closed.

Pacman1193

mine is a 2016 IS200T.

praying it’s a different hood and engine bay! Yet to be delivered so lol

InveredMP

It isn't, it's the same. When you install it, make sure you take the black rings on the strut tower off when you install it, and look at your closed hood gap along the fender before you install it, as well as after.

Pacman1193

Gold. Thank you Sir.

Pacman1193

Not fitting. Any bracket replacements ?

InveredMP

What isn’t fitting?

Pacman1193

Went to mechanic and he put it on and hood wouldn’t close.

huge gaps in hood to fender about maybe 76% of 1 CM.

he said we should take black ring off but we both agreed on your point. Then we went wait the black ring is almost 15% of 1 CM like that would make a difference yeah right no way and left it on ?!

So sent email to HPS about shorter (less tall brackets ) to mount on top of shock tower.

Pacman1193

Update: HPS sent instructions and the issue was one side was shorter than the other in bracket height. Now working.

InveredMP

I promise you, the hood is hitting even with it being properly installed.

Pacman1193

Yeah but the feel in corners is godly. Feels like another car altogether. Super confident. It just goes where you point it.

InveredMP

Go look at your hood gap mid way along the edge. You won’t be able to unsee it.