Hopefully it'll be here in a couple weeks, and I will keep this updated.

 

Just got an email from THMotorsports ETA has been moved again......
May 5th

 

much sadness

 

that is a loooong time to wait for just a strut bar.....subscribed to see the final outcome

 

I know
I never even really wanted one but thought this would be a good "project" since it really looks to be the same fit on a Q as the G. Luckily I wasn't in any hurry and since the part was just released (way back when I ordered it). I guess all the Q folks got whatever was in stock and combined w/ the LA port situation it's been the perfect storm for one helluva backorder.

 

Well finally got the strut brace today after about a 3 month wait. THMotorsports was great about keeping me updated and since this was on a national backorder, and a brand new offering, I expected it to take awhile.

I've got good news & bad news~

The good news is IT'S A PERFECT FIT!

The bad news is my engine bay is currently an eyesore
Engine bay will be cleaned up, detailed, and some new paint scheme in the coming months.

So here it is~

Great packaging, well padded & protected, item arrived in perfect condition





Nice, substantial brace, w/ an integrated support rib on the underside of bar, bar mounts are well designed w/ excellent fit.



The adjustable threaded ends allow the bar to be adjusted for a perfect length, again, the fit all around is perfect. The design of the bar & brackets allows great access to the adjustment of my coilovers too









Overall very happy w/ the product, it appears to be well made and the fit seems to be on par w/ the Cusco & GT Spec braces. I put a few small dabs of liquid soap across the bar and closed the hood (w/ the liner on) and it did make contact on the very outside points on the bar where the bar angles up then flattens, but not in the center. Hood closed fine without any additional force so the contact is minimal. The contact w/ this brace seems to be exactly what the Cusco & GT Spec braces also have. I'll keep an eye on it and if there's any wear on the finish I'll post updates. After install and a spirited drive the front end does seem to be a bit more locked-in for lack of a better term, not drastic but noticeable.

For about $130 shipped this seems like a great buy for a strut brace from a quality Japanese company. It's currently only listed for a 2014+ Q50 application, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU IT'S A PERFECT G37 FITMENT.
I'll be contacting Tanabe, and THMotorsports to inform them that they can expand their application listing and possibly get a group buy going.

 

Very cool Brad. Now i want one

 

Daaaaaaang. Did you go offroading??? lol

But the real question is... does it rub against the hoodliner?

 

Def in if there's a GB!!!

 

In my last part above I posted that I dabbed a few spots of liquid soap on the bar, then closed the hood and the soap dabbed on the two sides but not in the middle, so the contact is about the same as the Cusco and GT Spec bars, minimal for sure but there is slight contact. I'll keep an eye on the bars' finish and see if there's any abrasions. I'll keep you posted

And Mouse, I live in the desert, so there's not much keeping all that dust out of my motor. I really need to get that cleaned up though~shameful

 

You can get it right now for a bit over $130, I doubt the GB would be much better, and I think Tanabe has them in stock now so the wait shouldn't be anything like what I had to go through
Tanabe Strut Tower Bar INFINITI Q50

 

The finish will rub off very quickly at those contact points. It just will.

Ditch the liner, Brad. You don't need it.

This is a good pic. More red, less pink.

It's a fine looking product, for a very reasonable price.

 

One important thing that I left out and it clearly states it in the instructions "if you want the bar to lay flatter just shorten the bar with the threaded end links or if you want it taller, lengthen them." That makes perfect sense and I've got about 3/8" of thread on both sides to shorten it, so this weekend I'm going to see if it gives it enough clearance to avoid any liner rubbing, stay tuned........

 

Good point. might as well. Saves me having to power coat a Cusco too

 

Thank you for this Brad! At this price, I think I'll pull the trigger on it. How is the clearance with your intake tubes? Being that mine are aluminum, my old FTSB rubbed significantly on the powder coated intake tube so I had to sell it.

And, I also need to see if I can get some replacement intake pipes from Takeda so I can have these redone. Thanks for the review and it looks like a nice quality part. Is red the only color it comes in?