Using washers to space a strut tower bar upward?
 

Pretty newb question here, but I'm in a bit of a conundrum :scratch:

I have a nice new Cusco Titanium front strut tower bar and I can't install it as-is b/c it hits my Greddy elbow. Between the aftermarket motor mounts and my GZ LIM, my motor sits up a big higher.

I was able to use a pair of washers (3/16th inch thick each so 3/8th inch thick total) to space the strut tower bar up a bit to clear the greddy elbow, and I verified the hood closes. The washers are only necessary on the driver's side.

Ideally I'd have some spacer plates made but would rather not mess with them if I don't have to.

My question is, will the setup be safe with the washers? What kind of stresses will the mounting studs be subjected to when cornering? I definitely do not want to half-ass anything but at the same time I'd most likely have to send the strut tower bar out to a friend to have the spacer plate(s) made and want to avoid that unless necessary.

Dr Geesaman, Mahjik, DaveW, input requested :)

You will be ok, I did the same thing some time ago to clear the turbo out pipe to the IC. Just torque your nuts on both sides and you're good to go


Later

You should be OK, as long as you still have enough threads to get the proper torque on the nuts. If the nuts loosened, I'd be worried about putting the studs in bending and breaking one off.

Dave

Yup, I'm actually using some non-oem nuts (I have like 20 more if anyone needs some) that are threaded all the way down to the bottom and I'm able to get the nuts all the way on the studs so I actually have more threaded contact than the factory setup, if that makes sense.

I have the same issue due to my oil pan brace. Also just on the driver's side due to the Greddy elbow. I've been lazy this winter and not yet pulled the motor-mount arms to get them milled.
I don't have any way of machining anything out of steel, but I've got some sheet aluminum approx. 1/8" thick (old street sign). I was thinking of tracing out a couple of quick spacers out of that.

Do you want to make a spacer plate so the set up will not look , well lets say newb .

Garco, the washers are thin enough that you can't tell they're there just by looking at them.

Are you suggesting I send you the bar so that you can make some for me ;)?

It will be fine, especially when you consider that many FD's don't have any strut tower brace. There just isn't that much of a load. If there were a big load, all those cheap ass ebay bars would be bending and breaking all the time.

Rich - I can make one for you also if you need it. I have a similar problem with the coupler on my car against the stock R1 bar.

I'm actually considering welding a 2" section to the Elbow so that the coupler is extended to an area where it doesn't interfere with anything.

Ok ,you know I can make you something .

You'll be fine, the strut top bolts are predominantly to maintain location and stop them dropping out under extension - If it was a Mac strut affair i'd worry a little more, but the strut only really takes predominantly vertical loads due to the double wishbone design :)

LOL. I think we all know you can make something. And it will fit great - and be very polished

Rich,
I have run something similar on my race car for years with no issue. Just make sure you are getting good thread engagement on the shock tower studs.

One trick I have found that my help is to loosen up the PPF and adjust which way the motor leans. The front lower holes on the PPF are slotted for adjustment.

Dan

Thanks for all the input guys :icon_tup:

Dan, it's funny, Ihor and I have done that on customer's cars for turbo fitment issues but I never thought to try it in this instance. Doh! I'll give it a shot next time my FD is on the left.

Garco, I just might send you my strut tower bar, I'll keep you in mind :)

If u look at the strut bar does it appear to be higher on the turbo side ? trying turning the strut tower bar end for end, leaving the brackets on there respected sides of course. my cusco seemed to have more clearance on the turbo side of the engine bay. so i turned it around to give more clearance on the greddy elbow.

Just trace a pattern on a heavy paper and send me that . No down time for you.

wish i could, but the Cusco Ti is one-piece.