Strut Tower Bar Install HOW-TO
07-01-04, 02:23 PM
#31
Lexus Fanatic
Ok, how's this working out for everyone so far? I still haven't put mine on yet out of fear of the "jimmy-rigging" involved with this project. My main concern is hitting a bump or something causing the engine to jump whereas that throttle sensor cover hits the bar and breaks.
John, do you have a 300 or a 400? My engine looks slightly different than yours in the pics.
tpham7, what's your feelings so far? I just don't want to break off a damn strut stud trying to force this thing on, I read that you have to "muscle it on" to get it to fit close to perfect.
What say you all?
John, do you have a 300 or a 400? My engine looks slightly different than yours in the pics.
tpham7, what's your feelings so far? I just don't want to break off a damn strut stud trying to force this thing on, I read that you have to "muscle it on" to get it to fit close to perfect.
What say you all?
07-01-04, 07:32 PM
#32
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
I've got an SC300 -- I removed that cover because the bar doesn't clear with the cover on.
I don't think the engine could possibly jump enough for the STB to his the TPS or IAC sensors.
That black metal cover comes off via two philips head screws, or by way of a dremel.
I'd wait for the engine to cool down because the screw heads were soft and I stripped them when I did it when I just came back from driving.
Not to mention burning your hand on random crap isn't fun
feel free to IM me (AIM)-- SupraCoup3 or SupraCoupe 2199 (work and home respectively)
John
I don't think the engine could possibly jump enough for the STB to his the TPS or IAC sensors.
That black metal cover comes off via two philips head screws, or by way of a dremel.
I'd wait for the engine to cool down because the screw heads were soft and I stripped them when I did it when I just came back from driving.
Not to mention burning your hand on random crap isn't fun
feel free to IM me (AIM)-- SupraCoup3 or SupraCoupe 2199 (work and home respectively)
John
07-02-04, 10:49 AM
#33
Racer
I was interested in buying one of those on EBay but I have an SC4, which is even harder to fit.
I emailed the seller (he is just east of Los Angeles in El Monte or that area), and told him that if he could, he ought to make the next batch in such a way that it more easily fits the SC3 and 4, as well as the Supra. That way, he could market it to a larger customer base.
Well that got his interest and he wanted me to drive over there so he can see how it currently fits (or wouldn't fit) on an SC, but I didn't take him up on his offer, but if anyone is near that area and is interested, I'd contact him.
For the price a trip out there, he may reward you with a complimentary prototype of the next version that fits the SC better, as well as still fitting the Supra. If he uses a flatter top bar in the next version, it will hopefully fit the SC4, too, but that might make it cost more (say, $10 as opposed to $8!).
I emailed the seller (he is just east of Los Angeles in El Monte or that area), and told him that if he could, he ought to make the next batch in such a way that it more easily fits the SC3 and 4, as well as the Supra. That way, he could market it to a larger customer base.
Well that got his interest and he wanted me to drive over there so he can see how it currently fits (or wouldn't fit) on an SC, but I didn't take him up on his offer, but if anyone is near that area and is interested, I'd contact him.
For the price a trip out there, he may reward you with a complimentary prototype of the next version that fits the SC better, as well as still fitting the Supra. If he uses a flatter top bar in the next version, it will hopefully fit the SC4, too, but that might make it cost more (say, $10 as opposed to $8!).
07-02-04, 04:53 PM
#35
Racer
Sure thing- his email is "auto2nr1@yahoo.com", but the way I contacted him was to go to his eB@y auction (his eB@y ID is: auto2nr1 ) and then click on the "ask seller a question" link. His name is David and he got back to me pretty quickly.
Besides Mike's SC3, I hope some local SC4 owner contacts David and gets invited to a fitting session, too!
Besides Mike's SC3, I hope some local SC4 owner contacts David and gets invited to a fitting session, too!
Last edited by PERRYinLA; 07-12-04 at 08:50 PM.
07-06-04, 11:13 AM
#37
Lexus Fanatic
anyone want a STB for super cheap?
My STB is now for sale in the classifieds, anyone interested in buying it hit me up. I just came to the conclusion that I don't want a STB where I need washers to make it fit. I'll just buy a Cusco bar when I have the time.
07-13-04, 10:58 AM
#43
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Originally posted by adidas1532
so in the end was it worth buying the *bay STB? i'm just wondering why they are priced so low, and how they compare to more expensive ones (i.e. cusco)?
so in the end was it worth buying the *bay STB? i'm just wondering why they are priced so low, and how they compare to more expensive ones (i.e. cusco)?
Other people apperently are having fitment issues, but the way I see it, If I can't master a simple STB, then I'm just an armchair tuner
Edit: that's not to say those who couldn't get it to fit are dumb, It's just that things aren't always easy, and you've gotta stick with it, and beat the crap out of it until you win :-)
"Never Give Up, Never Surrender!"
my ebay STB now does my evil bidding every time I turn the wheel, without rubbing
Last edited by SupraCoup3; 07-13-04 at 11:01 AM.
07-13-04, 01:40 PM
#45
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
the only issue I had with fitment was the throttle body -- what I think is a coolant line comes aweful close, you need to use washers to clear it. Besides that, I think it's ok.
I don't know exactly why mike didn't like his STB, but I don't think I'll have a problem with it... If anyone else is in the LA area, I'll start helping people with installs when I get out to school
John
I don't know exactly why mike didn't like his STB, but I don't think I'll have a problem with it... If anyone else is in the LA area, I'll start helping people with installs when I get out to school
John