Its Back!! Richie Front Strut Bar V.2 Group Buy!!
#211
Update: Took me 1.5 hrs (including testing time) to install the bar.
I was not worried about installation even though this is my first time installing a part in my G35 - the instructions were straight forward and overall installation was 5/10 on the difficulty scale.
The most imp thing to keep in mind is have patience.
I started off with the passenger side and had no issues. I had to remove the plastic clip cuz it got in the way. Remember i said have patience, well i didnt at first and broke part off the clip. Anyways the passenger side was a piece of cake. Just ensure you have a LONg extension socket to reach the bolt in the back.
Driver side requires A LOT OF PATIENCE. The ABS and A/C lines are here so be careful - i made some scratches on the a/c line but they were slight grazes so I was fine. Sliding the bracket under the plastic white clip was like finding a needle in a hay stack. YOu can do it right away or have to keep on trying. It took me like 10 attempts to finally slide it in. Once in, the rest was a piece of cake.
Tightening up the bar on the lowest setting and there was no rubbing at all on the hood liner.
I didnt test drive it right away cuz it took me another 2 hrs to finishing replacing the trim on my jwt pop charger heatshield.
The test drive was so much fun! I didnt expect much of a perf increase but I noticed the stifness of the car as soon as I pulled out of my parking spot. Driving around was fun - i took a lot of my usual bends in my area and straights and noticed a bit more wheel spin (VDC off). On the turns at speed I noticed more control. I also felt the car lose traction when coming off the line and then taking a turn on 1st or 2nd gear. But the control is so much more now when driving and taking turns quickly (speeds of above 60kmph).
Summary - good buy - i can only tell more once ive driven out a fair bit.
Before installation its a good idea to wash or clean up your engine cuz its easier to remove bolts IMO and well not dirty yourself much. Also wear gloves!
I was too excited and even though I bought new gloves, I didnt use them :P
Im going to have a lot of fun now!
I was not worried about installation even though this is my first time installing a part in my G35 - the instructions were straight forward and overall installation was 5/10 on the difficulty scale.
The most imp thing to keep in mind is have patience.
I started off with the passenger side and had no issues. I had to remove the plastic clip cuz it got in the way. Remember i said have patience, well i didnt at first and broke part off the clip. Anyways the passenger side was a piece of cake. Just ensure you have a LONg extension socket to reach the bolt in the back.
Driver side requires A LOT OF PATIENCE. The ABS and A/C lines are here so be careful - i made some scratches on the a/c line but they were slight grazes so I was fine. Sliding the bracket under the plastic white clip was like finding a needle in a hay stack. YOu can do it right away or have to keep on trying. It took me like 10 attempts to finally slide it in. Once in, the rest was a piece of cake.
Tightening up the bar on the lowest setting and there was no rubbing at all on the hood liner.
I didnt test drive it right away cuz it took me another 2 hrs to finishing replacing the trim on my jwt pop charger heatshield.
The test drive was so much fun! I didnt expect much of a perf increase but I noticed the stifness of the car as soon as I pulled out of my parking spot. Driving around was fun - i took a lot of my usual bends in my area and straights and noticed a bit more wheel spin (VDC off). On the turns at speed I noticed more control. I also felt the car lose traction when coming off the line and then taking a turn on 1st or 2nd gear. But the control is so much more now when driving and taking turns quickly (speeds of above 60kmph).
Summary - good buy - i can only tell more once ive driven out a fair bit.
Before installation its a good idea to wash or clean up your engine cuz its easier to remove bolts IMO and well not dirty yourself much. Also wear gloves!
I was too excited and even though I bought new gloves, I didnt use them :P
Im going to have a lot of fun now!
#212
update: drove the car to work and back - approx 60kms. Took the highway and then the city roads had quite a few turns.
The handling has improved by atleast 40% now. I've noticed the front is planted to the floor as if gravity is sucking it in even more. The car picks up a bit faster as a result and I can feel the stifness! This bar is a lot of fun and well worth it!!!
The handling has improved by atleast 40% now. I've noticed the front is planted to the floor as if gravity is sucking it in even more. The car picks up a bit faster as a result and I can feel the stifness! This bar is a lot of fun and well worth it!!!
#214
Hey Richie, I hear that one of the modifications in the v.2 STB is a change to the mounting brackets to clear the top end of some coilovers. Is this true? If so, would I be able to get just the brackets as I already have a v.1 STB? Thanks.
#215
Originally Posted by k67p67
Hey Richie, I hear that one of the modifications in the v.2 STB is a change to the mounting brackets to clear the top end of some coilovers. Is this true? If so, would I be able to get just the brackets as I already have a v.1 STB? Thanks.
Here is a picture of the different in the mounting brackets
The joint in the middle has been shifted to the left compared to v1 so there is a little more room for coilover adjustment ***** - but they might still be limited room for adjustment.
#217
Originally Posted by k67p67
Thanks Richie. Is anyone out there currently running the v.2 STB with HKS Hipermax RS coilovers?
#218
Originally Posted by richie
I installed the strut bar on "ohsobad" car and he has HKS coils... not sure which ones though....shoot him a PM.
#220
Originally Posted by zazaracing
does this clear the procharger setup... it should I think since its ok with vortech.. just wondering about my hood
Last edited by richie; 10-30-2007 at 09:16 PM.
#224
Originally Posted by robzg35
I can't wait! I've been eyeing this for quite some time and she will finally be mine! MUA-HA HA HA!
Thanks!