Sparco Strut Bar Install Probelms - 38.5in tower t

#1

Is my car totaly screwed or is there two different strut bars?

Alright, I was pumped about installing my strut bar tonight since it was the last part of my suspension set up untouched. It wouldn’t quite fit, so i did some research on the forum and found some rumors that there was 2 different unibodies. Is this true?

My distance shock tower center to shock tower center was about 38.5in. I read on the IE site that 39.5 and 38.75 were the distances for the two different unibodies. Some posts have claimed that this is false.

I know my car has been hit in the past, but the tower seams show no signs of repairs. Were should I be looking for problems?
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#2

IE does make two sizes. I needed the short one and still had to remove the bolts and reinsert them to get it in, it wouldn’t slip over.

#3

Basically, you’re talking about a quarter inch variance between the two strut bars offered. Typical unibody manufacturing tolerances back then were 3mm-5mm, which puts you in the same ballpark, so I don’t think your car is screwed. Just typical. :wink:

#4

I’m pretty sure this is the norm.

Most people have to jack the car up or come up with some kind of trick to get these things on.

#5

Scott McMennamy wrote:

I got mine from IE as well. I had to put the jack under the front subframe (before the custom cage went in) and raise the car up. This gave enough flex, etc to be able to muscle the bar on. It was still an interference fit still though.

FYI - some of the SE front runners are not running those bars. It makes brake bleeding and some other maintenance a real pain. Although, a GTS3 racer friend of mine said it was good for crashes helping to hold the car together.

#6

Craig Geiger wrote:

[quote]Scott McMennamy wrote:

… a GTS3 racer friend of mine said it was good for crashes helping to hold the car together.[/quote]

I’ll 2nd that :frowning: When I hit the wall at ViR… it absorbed a lot of impact and probably save me a lot of cash.

Thay are worth it IMO