well, i don't track my car at all. but i do like some spirited daily driving.

in either case, the difference was still not night/day. sure i could feel a little difference (i.e. less front end flex - even during daily driving, firmer steering, "planted," like i said, i'm basically repeating what has already been said), but this mod isn't a "holy crap i need this mod on my car asap" kinda mod. but like i said before, i COULD live/drive without it...BUT i'd prefer not to.

i will say that while i was driving without the bar installed (while i was waiting to get replacement bolts), the before/after difference was much more pronounced.

as far as the 5/16" spacer plus engine cover, i think some have made it work. but at the chino hills gtg, richie tried installing his bar on someone's car with this setup and it was pushing the hood up on one side because the bar could not be set on its lowest setting. eventually, the engine cover had to come off and the bar was reinstalled. this fixed the problem and the hood was flush again.

 

The Strut Brace was quite easy to install, with only a little bit of work getting the driver's side bracket under a nylon clip (on my 2003 sedan). No creeping of the ends of the bar in the bracket slots.

I already have the Stillen Sway Bars, and the Strut Brace seems to be a good combination with them.

A bit more linear response in the turns, and the car seems to track truer in turn transitions.

I initially tried mounting it over my stock engine cover, but with the 5/16" Motordyne spacer, it just wouldn't work.

I ended up modding my engine cover, and I'm very happy with the looks of it now. The looks of the cut-out for the intake tube resonator box always bothered me when used with the Z-Tube (also with other straight tubes, CAIs, etc.), but the little 'jog' looks good as a transition when the cover is cut. In fact, look closely, and you'll notice the other side is shaped to match!

I made a couple of cork spacers (glued to the underside) which sit on the upper plenum to make the back of the cover more rigid. I was going to make a couple of adjustable velcro mounts for the rear, but it doesn't look like it's necessary at this point.

 

The cover looks good Gord.

 

Damn! Thats quite well done on that cut. I might try that; my engine cover fits, but yours fits and looks quite nice!

Dave

 

Gord, where'd you get those ground wires? They're pretty nice!

 

Finally have my richie stb on...I had a GTspec mid chassis brace on that was damaged when my car was improperly hoisted on a lift and am awaiting a new one, so I can make a comparison between the two......
With the richie bar on I still notice some body flex. The bar definately helps but does not eliminate all the body flex...With the GTspec midchassis brace I was able to really accelerate in and out of turns with a lot of confidence....I believe the two toghether will work even more wonders for my car....