Black Betty

iTrader: (60)

I just hung up the phone with Yuki at CUSCO USA. He said that the installation of the G37 strut tower brace is to be performed with all 4 wheels on level ground and the suspension fully loaded. Cal him at (714) 907-0033. Beware he has a very heavy Japanese accent that may be hard for you to understand. So I made sure to get him to clarify and repeat it more than once to make sure I wasn't misunderstanding him.

Topher9425

iTrader: (40)

Damn, BB went above and beyond for that one! Good looking out BB!

BluestickG

iTrader: (5)

Ill give you this one BB. I guess on the G37 it is not neccessary to install the cusco bar wiht the car lifted. I was miss informed because on other cars it is. The way the unibody was made there is no to minimal flex in the strut towers when sitting on the ground. So your good OP!

Black Betty

iTrader: (60)

I just want it done right and for everyone else to know the right way, whichever way it is. Correct info for everyone is much more important than anyone being right. I understand the logic of installing with the suspension unladen but all the instructions that I'm familiar with state to install it with suspension loaded. There must be a reason for that.

unknowndesi

one of these moments....
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qPr-xsQvhgw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

used2xb

iTrader: (1)

I just installed my cusco strut bar last week, so good to know. Thanks, BB!

37hevn

iTrader: (1)

just shows cusco doesnt know imo, installed my gt spec on a lift which is the way its suppose to be done like bluestickg was saying. if you watch you car get lifted as it comes off the ground the the strut mounts will get further away from each other. it was the only way we could get mine mounted cuz on the ground it was too close and couldnt squeeze the bar in. being able to install the cusco while your car being on the ground confirms my opinion that the cusco is more show than performance and if people actually got the gt spec they would agree with me that it is better than sway bar upgrade which is what i have found and noticed

OB G

iTrader: (11)

I have a dumb question...if you have your car lifted when installing the strut brace and you remove the strut mounts at the top, wouldn't the strut fall out? lol

WPPJR30

iTrader: (13)

Cusco is widely esteemed as one of the premier suspension companies in the world. They are well-reputed for their high quality components and that renown is supported by their track record. That reputation was not built on "show." I'd be willing to bet the representative with whom Jeremy spoke is well-schooled on the components his company manufactures.

Topher9425

iTrader: (40)

I have to install my GT Spec bar soon, and to my knowledge, just remove the 3 nuts on each side, and place the mounts for the bar with the new nuts over existing top hat bolts.

But I was wondering the same thing that when you lift the car, won't the actually coil assembly drop out a bit?

37hevn

iTrader: (1)

yea but thats why you change the mounts on the ground then you lift it up

Black Betty

iTrader: (60)

I had GT Spec. I sold it an got Cusco. I didn't notice any particular improvement one over the other. But I have plenty of other bracing to stiffen up the front so the strut bar made the least amount of difference of anything I've done suspension wise IMO. There's not much chassis flex in the front end to begin with on this car. If you think GT Spec is a better product, that's your opinion and more power to you. But if you believe they know more about suspension than Cusco does, and that "Cusco is more show than performance" then I don't value that opinion much. Either you are brand new to imports in general or have been under a rock.

I'd still like to see something from Cusco in writing (in English ) on which is the proper method for installing this part. I couldnt decipher the instruction in Japanese but I didn't see any graphics that indicated one way or the other. Just the manufacturer's representative verbally saying to do it one way and a couple of guys on a forum saying the opposite. Searching the internet has found mostly forum advice (which is often worse than no advice at all) and almost all of it says loaded suspension. Which doesn't necessarily make it right.

37hevn

iTrader: (1)

like i said as you lift the car the mounts get a little further apart and had to be done in order to install mine. if your able to install a strut bar not lifted the car is already compressed and wont completely stiff. that might be why you didnt notice a difference from the strut bars because you didnt install them with a lift. also i believe you installed your sways first and that prolly stiffened it quite a bit and the strut was then minimal. i did the strut first and sways later and the sways were minimal so in that case im guessing which ever one you do first will have to most effect. (logical) but for those with neither and want to pick which one i suggest the cheaper one lol all good

nbast

Thanks for the above-and-beyond clarification BB.

I'd think that on level ground, the towers are where they're supposed to be, and the strut brace helps keep them there. If mounted when raised off the suspension, you'd be keeping the towers in not-quite-right position.

kevshiau

iTrader: (15)

I just sent GT Spec an email for clarification. Will update once I get a response