Installed the Cusco Strut Brace, ordered from Amazon, and it took about 45 minutes. After getting everything tightened down I was checking the rigidity of the bar and there's a little play in it. I can move it side-to-side about the width of a thin washer.

Is that normal? I feel like hitting bumps would cause it to rattle.

I placed a washer on the inside of the mount to tighten things up, and it helped. Might do the same to the other side..

Just wanted to see what others have experienced.

Now I have my engine bay looking nice (put on Takeda Short Ram Intakes last week)

 

I got the Cusco bar as well, upon initial install I didn't notice any play. It has been removed twice since, and no issues. Wondering if it is just a random occurrence.

Picture for attention

 

Do you guys feel a significant increase in handling? Do you also feel any performance or MPG benefits with the intakes?

 

It's pretty unanimous that the strut bar is 99% for looks. The intakes add a little extra sound and a few horsepower. MPG effects are probably negligible to worse when you factor in the way you drive after installing them, lol.

 

hmmm. Can you feel the power increase?

 

True dat. My butt dyno measurements show that car pick power rather quickly, and most gains ar3 between 3k - 5k rpm. Feels like loosing a bit as it approaches redline. Bar is for looks and to justify to the wife why we now have a heavier foot; but theoretically speaking it makes sense in regards of stiffening the front of the car suspension and its value while cornering.

 

Haven't driven it enough to tell if the strut bar has any effect. But to your question about the intakes- the sound is a lot nicer, and maybe a slight bit of HP gain in the same range Mr_Mer described.

Overall, JFL - (Just-For-Looks). But, I'm also planning on getting sway bars and stiffer (lowering) springs in the future.

 

For those with the Cusco, or know the answer, will the Koni damper adjustment ***** fit under the Cusco tower brackets? Hope there's enough room...

 

they don't make contact with anything right, wanted to get 1

 

As in? I've noticed a slight amount of wear on one area of the bar and hood liner. Other than that, no!

 

I installed the cusco strut bar about 6 months ago.

I felt an increase in handing around sharp curves, I can now take them about 10 mph faster. As for the play, tighten it as much as possible. There shouldn't be any movement

 

Looks cool, I doubt it does much but definitely dresses the engine bay a bit.