Today I went to install my Alutec FSTB, but encountered the intake manifold problem. I already put in 3 spacers per side, and the bar barely clears the IM, with about 1-2mm of space between. But, during startup, reverse, or stopped anywhere, I can hear knocking and/or feel vibrations through the car. I know another spacer can probably solve the problem but with 3 spacers already, the nut on the shock tower bolt is only down half way. Would it be a bad idea to add another spacer? Thanks

 

OT, but any pics of the bar installed?

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=450133

and this is the pic of the bar and IM



The bar clears the left bump no problem, it's the right bump that is knocking.

 

When you say "3 spacers per side" do you mean 3 spacers under each strut mount? That should be plenty (way too much I think) of 3/8" spacers to clear the IM.

 

3 under the strut bar bracket, and now I have 4 under each. I only have about 2mm of clearance and it STILL knocks once in a while!!! To top it off, since the Alutec bracket uses 2 strut bolts per side, the nuts on the bolts are barely on now due to 4 spacers, or about 1cm total of raise.

If you guys go to the Paradox site and look at the bar, the bracket part connecting to the bar itself is NOT raised like _l-------l_ as are the eBay and other cheaper bars. The Alutec is more like _/-------\_....I actually tried to dent the bar alittle to clear the IM bump, but damn...that bar is soooo strong.

 

Looking at the bar on Paradox's site, *seems* like there's a little adjustment going up/down where the bracket meets the bar. Is the allen bolt's mounting surface a perfect circle on the bracket or is it a little eccentric/elliptical? Seems the little bugger is more of a headache than a quick install.

 

It is a little elliptical, to which I have already pushed the bar up as much as possible.

 

I've got the Megan Racing FSTB, and I had the same rubbing problem against the top of the IM when I installed my bar, but it wasn't quite as bad as yours. Mine would clear the IM by a couple of millimeters without any spacers, but it made a grinding noise in reverse when it came into contact with the IM. I used two washers on each bolt to solve the problem, and I even felt like that was a lot. You've already used 3 and now you're barly clearing the IM?

 

Suggestion: Return Alutec FSTB and get a CE or Stillen. The Alutec does have a nice aesthetic appeal, but if it has to compromise safety...it's a no-brainer.

 

You could try grinding down the right side bump a bit for more clearance.

 

Ohhh I was afraid of that... I'm with some of the others. Return it or sell it to a VQ30 owner (they should have more clearance, shouldn't they?) and get a eBay bar or the like with more adjustability.

 

LOL ya right, I have as much chance returning the FSTB as I do with the clear sidemarkers Paradox sells, which the rear ones also don't fit. And of course it's never posted on the site the products *might* not fit.

As for the FSTB, I'm def keeping it as I can't stand the looks of any other FSTB available for your cars. I think I'll just grind down the IM a little bit, I'll update on how that goes.

 

So if I was to file/Dremel down the right hump of the IM, how much should I file off? Just enough to clear the FSTB? And how much is too much off? Thanks

 

you bar looks upside down in the picture. But on your original thread it looks correct. The bar should be curved downwards on both ends going to the strut tower

I would recommend against only having a few threads onto the bolts, that is afterall the only thing holding your suspension in from the top

 

Haha, don't worry, it's on correctly. If I had it on upside down, the bar would balance around the IM bump.

 

Bump...

An idea occured to me today, what if I was to drill a hole in the bar where the right hump of the IM hits? I mean, the bar is rediculosuly strong as is, and I don't think a 1/2 hole will hurt structural rigidity that bad will it?

 

Anyone?

 

i think taking anything off of the bar will affect the way it works. How much I do not know.