March 15th Update: I did the Ensolite foam install that Ivoidwarranties describes in Post #12 below. It definitely helps. I had a little rubbing on the engine cover but no rubbing on the top of the bar with the 2 credit card spacing method. So after installing the Ensolite, I used the 3 credit card spacing method and with that I was able to get the driver side all the way to the lowest setting, and the passenger side about another 1/16" to 1/8" lower. So with both mods, you will not rub the engine cover or the hood liner.

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There has been a lot writtten about the GTSpec strut bar and it seems like most (not all) people are having problems with the bar getting scratched by the hood liner. I am going to have the strut bar powdercoated, but wanted to see if I could solve the clearance issue first.

So I took the engine cover off and starting messing with it. Below is the story of what I did which adds about 1/8" of additional clearance. I don't know if it is enough yet. I will drive it for awhile and see if it scratches. If it does get scratched, then I will powercoat and clearbra it. However, I would rather not clearbra it; hence the work to lower the engine cover.



I ended up cutting off one side of the rubber grommet that is in the engine cover (below, top left). Then I cut off the same about of the liner that goes in the grommet (below, top right). The original one is in bottom left picture. The modified one is in the bottom right picture.




Here is how I did the work in case anyone wants to try. Regarding the 4 pictures below: (1) Using a screwdriver to hold the small piece, used a razor knife to cut the grommet. (2) Used a dremel and cut off disk to remove the excess metal. (3) and (4) Dremel and files to smooth edges.






Regarding the 3 pictures below: (1) This shows the modified grommet in the engine cover. Since it will not stay by itself, I used 1 drop of the rubber glue used for RC tires to attach the grommet to the cover so it would not fall off. (2) All the finished grommet liners. (3) To give just a little rubber cushion, I used small o-ring.




The next two pictures. (1) Shows the finished product. Looks crooked, but it isn't. It all compresses when you tighten up the engine cover. (2) Given the engine cover is now lower, I looked all around to see if it was hitting anything hard. Only found one place right in the front of the cover. You can see where I used the dremel to provide some relief.




Mounted up using the two credit card method. The smallest gap is at the rear of the strut bar.




Be sure to adjust these on your hood so that you have an even fit to the fender and it closes smoothly. I noticed my hood was slightly lower than the fender. Everyone will be different I think, but I ended up going 1 1/4 turns on the passenger side and 1 1/2 on the driver side. Don't over do it.




Below shows where I was able to set the strut bar in the brackets. From other I have seen on the forum, it looks a bit lower. The driver side is only a hair off the lowest it can go in the bracket. The passenger side is a bit higher in the bracket. Peterbanks posted some nice pics here: https://www.myg37.com/forums/2474323-post44.html




Did the powder test. Put the baby powder on and then used small brush to make sure it was not sitting in piles on the bar.




So when I "dropped" the hood to shut, it picked up powder (first picture below). Then I brushed off the power on the engine cover and shut the hood by setting it down and pressing the edges to secure it. No powder on that one.




Only time will tell if this works. Will up date post once I know for sure.

 

Nice DIY and write up. Maybe this will finally solve everyones problems with thiers rubbing.

 

That's an awesome idea!!! You're a genius.

Have you pushed down on the engine cover after doing this? You'll find out that with a swap of the foam backing on the underside of the cover, that you can go lower still. The factory foam backing is pushing up on the cover quite a bit.

 

Great job of finding a way to improve the fitnent of this bar.

 

Yes I did and you are right. The worse place that it bulges is right behind the bar. I went to Home Depot and Lowes looking for for 1/8" to 3/16" foam that I could cut into the shape like the OEM. Could not find any, but still looking. I am going to change it once I find the right stuff. It will not let the engine cover tighten down further at the 5 bolts, but it will get rid of the bulging right behind the bar. I think it will allow the bar to be set down another 1/16" to 1/8" of an inch and probably get the bar to the lowest setting in the bracket especially on the driver's side.

If anyone has found a good suitable replacement foam....post it up.

 

I'm not entirely sure the foam is necessary. You could probably go without. If it was my car (which it is not), I'd take the factory foam off and then replace it with some ensolite. Ensolite is a thinner, closed-cell foam but requires a spray adheasive, both of which I have in the basement right now.

 

I agree. It almost appears it was put on for nothing more than getting engine cover not to rub directly on the intake manifold. It almost appears like the foam would partially block (surely does not help) heat removal. So I thought if I could find thinner foam I would try. Not sure about Ensolite as there are so many types, but I only want to replace with a fairly soft and very permeable foam.

 

I'll check the foam I have at home when I get back (I'm out of town). If I think it will work, I'll send you some.

 

Cool.

 

Did you do the powder test driving a few miles? I thought the rubbing started with the vibration of the car. I didn't see any rubbing with mine until a week or 2 later.

 

Not yet. Will update after week or two as to any rubbing/marks on bar.

 

I went ahead and tried the Ensolite on Her cover. It's less than half the thickness of the stock foam. Worked like a champ! The cover dropped another 1/8th of an inch (at least). So I lowered the bar some more.

Stock:


Ensolite:


Ensolite glued on to cover:

 

Thanks for the source info. I have it on order. I think with my changes and the Ensolite, I think I will be clear of any scratching/rubbing.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I did the Ensolite and it worked very good. I updated my original post to reflect the improvement.

 

Thanks a lot for the DIY. Very informative.