does any1 kno if the fstb clears vq35 intake manifold with spacers?

 

That's a great question. Atm my fstb is angled because if it was sitting straight we wouldn't have been able to get the intake back on after we installed the spacers. I'll go check for you on my lunch break and see if I have the clearance to be able to move it back to sit flat.

Edit: Yeah you'll be good. I have about a half inch of clearance.

 

With phenolic spacers installed, the Racingline FSTB clears the UIM on the 6MT with about 3/8" to spare.

 

^^ perfect... time to order 1 now lol

 

3 more months gone by... I think it's safe to say this isn't getting made. I'm buying a tie down and was going to get a Racingline one but after rethinking it I'm actually going to get a custom maxima one. It's frustrating because I was looking forward to getting one of these as well as a fstb and tie down to match.

 

I can tell you for sure that it does not on my I35. I just installed the spacers last weekend. When in reverse the engine rotates enough to make contact. Could it be a worn mount? Maybe, but visually the left and right mounts look O.K. I have already replaced the front, or belt side mount.
I ended up installing the cheap Ebay one today that I purchased b4 the Racingline. It has a little more hood interferece, but no contact with the UIM.

 

I can't imagine what would be so different on your car to make the UIM hit on the FSTB. The I35 is the identical chassis, right?

People have been known to raise the FSTB brackets up a hair with washers. You might want to give that a shot. Also, no harm in getting out the grinding wheel and shaving a 16th off of the high-spot on the aluminum.

Bummer, spock.

 

I've noticed that a lot of times it simply has to do with which STB a person has. I know I have a cheap ebay bar. Looks nice, is functional, but I had to raise it up with washers after installing spacers. I can't recall if there was anything definative about this being more an issue associated with those having auto trannies. Mine is auto. Unless a swap has occured, I assume the I35 is an auto as well.

No question mounts can play a role as well. Regardless, I know the distance between my UIM and bar was very narrow.

 

Spock's I35 is an automatic... no tranny swap there.

You think that's the difference, AT vs. MT? Because we both have spacers on the identical engine with the same chassis (I believe), and yet his Racingline FSTB hits on the UIM, and mine has a 1/4" clearance.

The only other difference between us is that I have ES torque mount bushings.

 

I personally wouldn't think it is AT vs MT, I simply recall that being discussed in a prior thread on the topic....I'd have to find it.

As previously indicated, my finger would point to the design of the bar itself. With some of these bars...especially the ebay ones, I wouldn't be surprised if you compared the same bar that cleared the intake with one that didn't, that one had more of a bend to it. Whether that would be manufacturing, shipping/handling, pre-loaded on install.....I'm just saying I wouldn't be surprised. I say this becuase the "ebay" bar I have on my 2003 I can flex somewhat by hand. My Stillen Bar on my '89.....no way I can budge that bar.

UPDATE: Did a search regarding FSTB and clearance. Yeah, this has never been definatively addressed; all a mixed bag. Here is a quote from Steve88 who ran two different bars on the same car:

"I know there are two different kinds of bars from ebay...my first one was a bar that bent upwards (like stillen, otto) to avoid any clearance issues with the IM...my 2nd bar is the one that barely bends upwards...this is the one having issues becuz the lack of upward angle the bar has..."

As I was saying, to me this implies it is more the bar and/or issues associated with mass produced bars. Regardless, it is well known there are some simple fixes for a bar that rubs the manifold, ie. washers. In my searching, there was also a post mentioning someone had shifted their struts forward and out when intsalling the FSTB brackets, then tightening the bolts down to lock them in that position. The guy indicated this fixed his clearance issues without washers. I'm aware the strut studs can be moved slightly within the strut tower opening, but I don't recall there being that much play.

Regarding hood clearance issues where the bar pinches off the hood sprayer(s), how I resolved this issue on my car was I installed a small diameter peice of aluminum piping, cutting out a length of the stock hose and fitting the rubber sprayer hose over the ends. Problem resolved.

 

Fuuuu, and I just finished my custom sub box looks like I have to end up getting one custom made like I originally planned.

 

Ok so what was that Rear Bar someone had installed in there 5th gen? Can we copy that?