after discovering the strut bar doesnt fit
and following on from the previous posts

i can now say it does fit
without any spacers




there is 4mm above the inlet pipe and about 1mm above the air box
there is a tendancy for the engine to rock to the left when revved, so the airbox gap increases to about 2mm and a space of 2mm to above the pipe



just enough to get a sheet of paper under




this was done by careful (very careful)
by bending the strut bar
i made a jig up on workbench which supported the bar
then carefully bent it by mm at a time
adjusting the jig to allow another mm of movement
the result is slightly deeper bends
no creases
no grinding
checked fitment on the car constantly
and hey presto

FANTASTIC MATE!!!

Good job Bazza, looks eggzellent....

(ps. is that a spec of dirt I see on the left of the engine..... )

How much for a strut bar and can you do me one Bazza ?

well done Bazza... I'm happy for you!

(it ended up not costing me any money.. which is a good thing!)

bar was from tackycars
takakaira

excellent place
price roughly £125 cant confirm as havent had credit card bill yet

no duty or vat paid, (will discuss why, privately only)

shipped within a week

i wouldnt be very willing to offer to do this chris, as it could have all gone wrong so easily !

Fine I'll just have to pay someone else to do it when I eventually buy one

So, is this strut bar then meant for the IS200??

Looking good buddy! I just installed a rear strut bar on the weekend, DAMN, what a job! The strut bolts...sooo tight! Then had to cut the carpet, quite bodgy actually hehehe.

JIC has a struct brace that was designed for the IS300 (GXE10).
They come in normal (i believe aluminium) and carbon fiber finishing. The carbon fiber is wrapped around a metal/aluminium? bar. The Japanese supplier told me that it is real carbon fiber, but I want to see it in person first

Bazza...

Thanks for your hints and tips... And helpfull phone advice..

But what else I would like to know from any members with a SC and CUSCO is...

In this Picture the RED circle is where the pipe rubs on the felt under the bonnet. If the Bar sits higher, it rubs on the felt even more...
How does one close the bonnet... As I have had no luck so far, thus removed the Strut bar installed... After loads of fine adjusting and bending.. The bonnet will still not close unless it sits lower or at the same level as the red part on the picture...

Any thoughts?

my bar does touch the felt
but about 2-3 inches in from the bends, just leaves a black mark which easily rubs off
but it doesnt affect the closing of the bonnet

Sell it ....i'll take it off your hands Steve

I'LL bring my tools... you bring your expertise tomorrow barrie..

Lets have a look at the top brace once and for all...

dont leave it till too late in the day though