Hi Guy's,
Has anyone seen where I can buy a front strut brace for my IS200?
I've looked at HKS,TRD,CUSCO etc.. but they all list them for the Altezza, which is a different height(engine sits lower in the bay).
Also I have an induction kit on order, will this cause any problems with finding a strut brace to clear the inlet pipe???
Any coments are apreciated.
Cheers.....

order the Cusco one for the altezza....type OS

[quote name='Supracharged-IS340' date='Jun 19 2003, 08:55 PM']order the Cusco one for the altezza....type OS[/quote]
Thanks Mat,
I presume you already know that it fits ok??????

YEP, The onlt thing you need to do is reverse the bar, as the end droop at different angles.

with the factory airbox, it does rub slightly though, but the pro's outweigh the cons when fitted

[quote name='Supracharged-IS340' date='Jun 19 2003, 09:03 PM']YEP, The onlt thing you need to do is reverse the bar, as the end droop at different angles.

with the factory airbox, it does rub slightly though, but the pro's outweigh the cons when fitted[/quote]
When the factory airbox comes off to make way for the induction kit, there shouldn't be a problem then?????

[quote name='DUNCAN' date='Jun 19 2003, 08:44 PM']Also I have an induction kit on order,[/quote]
ooh, ooh, which one and where did you get it from?? (Matt's interested in these things )

[quote name='MsW' date='Jun 19 2003, 09:08 PM'][quote name='DUNCAN' date='Jun 19 2003, 08:44 PM']
Also I have an induction kit on order,[/quote]
ooh, ooh, which one and where did you get it from?? (Matt's interested in these things ) [/quote]
Linda,
I've PM'd you..

if the airbox is removed there will be no rubbing at all

PM me too Duncan, would like to see which one u are getting, and will it work with the Super Charger?

anyone install the cusco rear strut bar? does it help with the handling of the car?

MAZ

..yes it will work with the S/C, however a small amount of material removal is required to pass over the throttle inlet

gxe10

yes ive fitted the cusco strut bar, it does make some improvement to the tail hapiness of the car when lowered.......however if you require boot space at all, dont bother with it. It really is only show unless you intend to make the car alot of go

[quote name='DUNCAN' date='Jun 19 2003, 07:44 PM']Hi Guy's,
Has anyone seen where I can buy a front strut brace for my IS200?
I've looked at HKS,TRD,CUSCO etc.. but they all list them for the Altezza, which is a different height(engine sits lower in the bay).
Also I have an induction kit on order, will this cause any problems with finding a strut brace to clear the inlet pipe???
Any coments are apreciated.
      Cheers..... [/quote]
Are you sure a strut brace will fit with a N/A induction kit Mat?

The induction pipework that goes into the air intake on top of the engine would have to have a pretty tight bend on it, like the one on the s/c cars.

My advice would be to wait until you get the induction kit and borrow a strut brace (at JAE maybe?) from someone and try it

Cusco Strut on N/A:

[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/albums/album01/strut_na.sized.jpg[/img]

Cusco Strut on S/C:

[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/albums/album01/strut_sc_1.sized.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/albums/album01/strut_sc_2.sized.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/albums/album01/strut_sc_3.sized.jpg[/img]

TDi Induction Kit on N/A:

[img]http://www.tdi-plc.com/is200nainductionsystem.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.tdi-plc.com/is200nainductionsystem2.jpg[/img]

Looks like a tight fit, I'd check before buying.

aaaaaaaaaaaagggghhhhhh, with an induction kit im not sure.

my advice was with N/A, (not taking induction kits into acount)

[quote name='Supracharged-IS340' date='Jun 22 2003, 05:33 PM']aaaaaaaaaaaagggghhhhhh, with an induction kit im not sure.

my advice was with N/A, (not taking induction kits into acount)[/quote]
The strut brace will NOT fit with the TDi Induction kit...

[quote]Zee007 Posted on Jun 23 2003, 09:49 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUOTE (Supracharged-IS340 @ Jun 22 2003, 05:33 PM)
aaaaaaaaaaaagggghhhhhh, with an induction kit im not sure.

my advice was with N/A, (not taking induction kits into acount) 

The strut brace will NOT fit with the TDi Induction kit... [/quote]

i ordered one of those Strut brace myself, but im going to get the TTE SC and the TDI induction kit later on this year, is this mean i just wasted money on the strut brace since it dont fit with the TTE SC and TDI induction kit on???

[quote name='Maz' date='Jun 23 2003, 10:49 AM'][quote]Zee007 Posted on Jun 23 2003, 09:49 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUOTE (Supracharged-IS340 @ Jun 22 2003, 05:33 PM)
aaaaaaaaaaaagggghhhhhh, with an induction kit im not sure.

my advice was with N/A, (not taking induction kits into acount) 

The strut brace will NOT fit with the TDi Induction kit... [/quote]

i ordered one of those Strut brace myself, but im going to get the TTE SC and the TDI induction kit later on this year, is this mean i just wasted money on the strut brace since it dont fit with the TTE SC and TDI induction kit on???

[/quote]
ill look after it for you mate

it will fit with the Supercharger...dont worry

[quote name='Supracharged-IS340' date='Jun 23 2003, 10:50 AM']it will fit with the Supercharger...dont worry[/quote]
no it wont

[quote name='Supracharged-IS340' date='Jun 23 2003, 10:50 AM']it will fit with the Supercharger...dont worry[/quote]
Correct - it will. All I said earlier was it will not fit the INDUCTION kit (different to S/c Induction may I add).......

i take it your talking from experiance mat......Unlike myself

now, what did i do with that supercharger and strut brace.......ahhhhh, i sold them, thats it

(This smiley acting as a substitute sarcasm smiley, for sarcasm purposes)

[quote name='Supracharged-IS340' date='Jun 23 2003, 11:04 AM']i take it your talking from experiance mat......Unlike myself

now, what did i do with that supercharger and strut brace.......ahhhhh, i sold them, thats it[/quote]
CALM DOWN DEAR
i was only offering to look after it for him

ah the wonders of typed responses...........

shame theres not a smiley for sarcasm

what about this one (can go back and edit my post if this one will work)

matt?

added a hint of sarcasm Matt......hope thats sorted it

[quote name='Supracharged-IS340' date='Jun 23 2003, 11:04 AM'] (This smiley acting as a substitute sarcasm smiley, for sarcasm purposes)[/quote]
pmsl

[quote]Zee007 Posted on Jun 23 2003, 10:52 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUOTE (Supracharged-IS340 @ Jun 23 2003, 10:50 AM)
it will fit with the Supercharger...dont worry 

Correct - it will. All I said earlier was it will not fit the INDUCTION kit (different to S/c Induction may I add)....... [/quote]

thank Matt and Zee, i was a bit worry then, hehehehe......

[quote name='Maz' date='Jun 23 2003, 12:56 PM'][quote]Zee007 Posted on Jun 23 2003, 10:52 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUOTE (Supracharged-IS340 @ Jun 23 2003, 10:50 AM)
it will fit with the Supercharger...dont worry 

Correct - it will. All I said earlier was it will not fit the INDUCTION kit (different to S/c Induction may I add)....... [/quote]

thank Matt and Zee, i was a bit worry then, hehehehe...... [/quote]
the strut will fit with the standard S/C and induction kit S/C although you may experience rubbing (look at the underside of the bar and top of the pipe in my pics above)

From my last post - the bit on the underside of the bar is not a shadow or a reflection! Also notice how the pipe is flatter than it should be - if you look closely (in real life) you can see where it gets rubbed by the bar.

[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/albums/album01/strut_sc_3.sized.jpg[/img]

[quote name='dark_is200' date='Jun 23 2003, 03:39 PM'][quote name='Maz' date='Jun 23 2003, 12:56 PM'] [quote]Zee007 Posted on Jun 23 2003, 10:52 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUOTE (Supracharged-IS340 @ Jun 23 2003, 10:50 AM)
it will fit with the Supercharger...dont worry 

Correct - it will. All I said earlier was it will not fit the INDUCTION kit (different to S/c Induction may I add)....... [/quote]

thank Matt and Zee, i was a bit worry then, hehehehe...... [/quote]
the strut will fit with the standard S/C and induction kit S/C although you may experience rubbing (look at the underside of the bar and top of the pipe in my pics above) [/quote]
Just for Clarification - the N/A Induction kit is NOT the same as the S/C Induction.

Strut brace [b]will [/b]fit a normal IS200 engine (with no mods)
Strut brace [b]will [/b]fit the S/C (standard) and S/C with induction
Strut brace will [b]NOT [/b]fit the N/A Induction kit

Is there anyway around this rubbing problem guys? cause im thinking of having it color coded too, and would the rubbing make alots of noises and also damage the induction pipe & the strut brace itself? im a bit concern about this rubbing business........hehe

a small piece of material needs removing from the brace on the underside to clear the inlet pipe to the throttle body.....its not major engineering, any brain surgeon could do it

Supracharged-IS340 Posted on Jun 23 2003, 05:22 PM
[quote]a small piece of material needs removing from the brace on the underside to clear the inlet pipe to the throttle body[/quote]

Or you could ask whoever is doing the conversion to crease the pipework a bit

to give you the clearance you need

the pipework is a casting in aluminium, its easier to remove the small amount of material, which incidently will have a negligable if any effect on the strenth of the bar

Thank Mat, may ask Mark at TDI to sort it out when i get my TTE SC fitted later this year...

OK guys, i tried to fit the Strut Brace to my Stantard engine IS200, but when i put it on, and try to tighten the 3 nuts on each sides, i can tighten all nuts, but it seem to be a very tight fit, if i have tighten all the nuts, the Strut Brace will be pressing hard onto the Black engine cover with the air Filter, is this normal? and will it damage the cover and filter? also does the Cusco Strut brace come will any washer? i mean is there a washer thing you can put bewteen the Brace and the engine bay before you tighten those nuts? hope u know what i mean...hehe
any help will be great...thank guys...

Try putting it on the other way round. The right way round is the wrong way for the IS200 - put the steeply raked end on the battery side of the car.

can anyone give a brief explanation as to what it will enhance?

Road control?

What strut base will fit my standard lexus is200se? cusco?
but just read maz post, seems to me like it wasn't an exact fit?


thanks

[quote]dark_is200 Posted on Jul 1 2003, 07:30 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Try putting it on the other way round. The right way round is the wrong way for the IS200 - put the steeply raked end on the battery side of the car.[/quote]

are u talking about the bar itself or the Blue color end mate? sorry im a bit sutpid, hehe ....

from Maz

Rigidity is an important part of your cars handling. When you ask it to change directions any play in the suspension or chassis will be taken up before the car adjusts its course. Conversely if the car hits a bump or bit of road camber then the play in the chassis and suspension will be taken up before this interaction is communicated to the driver. As a result soft suspension and a chassis that lacks rigidity will dampen the cars responsiveness as well as the feedback it gives to the driver. By stiffening the chassis you also prevent the suspension geometry from changing under load (as the chassis flexes) and improve the overall cornering and grip characteristics of the car.

To improve the chassis stiffness/rigidity we can add brace bars between key load bearing points of the car's chassis. Strut braces tend to be rigid bits of metal that span the gaps between key chassis and suspension pick up points. There are many different designs available to suit different cars but there are three common types: front upper, front lower, and rear.

A front upper strut brace spans and braces the tops of the two front suspension turrets. They also have a cosmetic benefit in that they are available in a range of finishes (polished, anodised etc.) and so add the finishing touch to any designer engine bay. Rear strut braces span and brace the tops of the rear suspension turrets, and some also include a diagonal which bolts down to the rear and this design is preferable. Again these can serve a cosmetic function if you have opted for the stripped out racer look. The front lower brace goes between the front lower wishbone pick up points and unless you exhibit the underside of your car with mirrors then they serve no cosmetic benefit.

There are numerous different designs of brace on the market and some are better than others. Obviously if you are fitting the brace for cosmetic purposes then pick which ever one looks the best, otherwise just consider some of the basic laws of physics. As far as front upper braces go the stiffest tend to be the ones that triangulate onto the suspension turrets but these also give more clearance headaches than other designs. Remember that the brace is only as strong as it's weakest part so despite a chunky looking main bar if this bar tapers down to nothing at each end and the welds are puny then it will not be very strong.

See the Cusco Strut fitted to mine....

[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/albums/album08/JAPS_2003_Zee_s.jpg[/img]

zee
i noticed that you have fitted your bar above the damper nuts
is this to clear the pipework ?
if so does it
and does it create any problems in clearance of the bonnet

[quote name='bazza' date='Jul 29 2003, 06:27 PM']zee
i noticed that you have fitted your bar above the damper nuts
is this to clear the pipework ?
if so does it
and does it create any problems in clearance of the bonnet[/quote]

Haven't you bought enough toys already... huh..
I don't know, some people are never satisfied

I understand the principles behind all this, so on the Cusco one, like in your piccies, does the fact that there is a pivot point (where blue bit meets the silver bar via a nut) not make it less rigid?

Some are one continuos piece of metal (I think the TRD one is like this). Are these better, or does it not make any difference??

[quote name='bazza' date='Jul 29 2003, 06:27 PM']zee
i noticed that you have fitted your bar above the damper nuts
is this to clear the pipework ?
if so does it
and does it create any problems in clearance of the bonnet[/quote]
the reason i've done that is to clear the down pipe. i have not had enough time to have the spacers made up yet. no probs with bonnet clearance baz...........

[quote name='kev dood' date='Jul 30 2003, 09:28 AM']Some are one continuos piece of metal (I think the TRD one is like this). Are these better, or does it not make any difference??[/quote]
very little difference.........

Hiya Zee, where can i get those spacer make? and what is the specs for those spacers? i dont think there anyone i can get to make something like that where i live, so and details will be great mate, want to get a set done so when i get SC fitted the strut brace will fit proper...thank

from Maz

[quote name='Maz' date='Jul 30 2003, 03:14 PM']Hiya Zee, where can i get those spacer make? and what is the specs for those spacers? i dont think there anyone i can get to make something like that where i live, so and details will be great mate, want to get a set done so when i get SC fitted the strut brace will fit proper...thank

from Maz[/quote]
Maz,

I am getting a friend to do it for me as he works down the road from me and his work is excellent. If you are getting the S/C fotted at TDI, I'm sure Mark will ensure the strut fits correctly (he did on Kierans)....

Thank Zee, yes when i have all my work done to the car , i will take it to TDI to get the SC fitted...hopefully sometimes this year...Lol

[quote name='Zee007' date='Jul 30 2003, 09:30 AM'][quote name='bazza' date='Jul 29 2003, 06:27 PM'] zee
i noticed that you have fitted your bar above the damper nuts
is this to clear the pipework ?
if so does it
and does it create any problems in clearance of the bonnet[/quote]
the reason i've done that is to clear the down pipe. i have not had enough time to have the spacers made up yet. no probs with bonnet clearance baz........... [/quote]
fitting the bar on top of the original nuts, it seems to hit the bonnet sound proofing (dont really want to cut it away) so instead i spaced it of with a few washers under the brace foot
clears the pipework by a few mm
but it seems to press down on the air box on the opposite side

seems a very tight fit

any more views on this before i throw it in the bin