Tanabe Sustec Front Strut Bar - Test

[infinitedrift]

Please someone try this for the M56. Im starting to call around my local shops to see if anyone has the Q50 strut bar in stock then i'll swing over and try it.

[Ilya]

I doubt it'll work per the vendors feedback so I didn't purchase one.

[RED_DET]

I have a strange feeling it will cause issues with that engine cover.... worse case scenario I can try one out at my local Infiniti dealership.

I have added the M37 Tanabe Front Strut Bar to the site for the V6 guys.

[Ilya]

I have a strange feeling it will cause issues with that engine cover.... worse case scenario I can try one out at my local Infiniti dealership.

I have added the M37 Tanabe Front Strut Bar to the site for the V6 guys.

That would be cool...

For those wondering, the vendor I spoke to/mentioned earlier was RED_DET.

[bkhann]

A stupid question. Does the front strut bar cause any problems in removing the engine cover? Does the bar have to be removed before you can remove the engine cover?

[beachbum718]

Damn.i want the Cusco one

[Ilya]

A stupid question. Does the front strut bar cause any problems in removing the engine cover? Does the bar have to be removed before you can remove the engine cover?

More than likely, yes. Because basically just about pinning the cover to the engine. It's 3 bolts on each side to remove the strut bar, takes an extra 2 minutes should you need to remove the strut bar.

[AlphaSnacks]

We need pictures of how much clearance there is with the VQ37. That way we can compare how much taller our VK motors sit.

[Ilya]

Based on the pic, looks like there is like 1" of clearance. It's close enough that the red of the STB is reflecting off the engine cover.

[Debonair]

Here is a bit of interesting information. This same Q50 bar has been tested on and determined to fit a G37 (see the thread HERE). This, in theory, means that G37 strut bars should also fit the M37. Obviously someone would still have to roll the dice and try it.

Still no word on M56 fitment yet for any of them.

[beachbum718]

Im rolling the dice..on the g37 cusco brand.

[Debonair]

Im rolling the dice..on the g37 cusco brand.

Yup. Cosmetically speaking that is the one to get.

[putim37s]

Just an update. It's been a week installed, I re-torqued all bolts, and still absolutely no issues on fitment, rattling, etc.

I'm also interested on the fitment on the Cusco STB. If it does, it would definitely open up more options for everyone. Just to put it out there, I think the biggest difference between the Tanabe and Cusco is that the Tanabe offers adjustability in length and the Cusco does not. Although the install required very minimal adjustment, it still had to be adjusted in length. And for the GT Spec STB, I know another member has it but, yet seen it, or found it anywhere. Weeks ago, GT Spec was not very responsive in answering the phone or e-mails, so I gave up on them.

Keep us posted.

[biggie]

Us poor sad V8 owners.

[RED_DET]

We stopped selling the GT SPEC bars because they were never in stock and no one would ever answer questions. Not quite sure how they stay in business.

[Altered]

Maybe I'll be the only M owner to have the GT Spec. The Cucso is pretty but I like the GT Spec because it is beefy.

[putim37s]

Nice! I would definitely have ordered that instead, mainly because its polished. Too bad their not responsive to any inquiry. Oh well, I'll take what I can get at this point.

[AlphaSnacks]

Based on the pic, looks like there is like 1" of clearance. It's close enough that the red of the STB is reflecting off the engine cover.

You can add washers as spacers to elevate it a little more. Our hoods are fairly bulbous in the middle, the bar could still clear.

[RED_DET]

There are very few threads left exposed on the strut tower and if you add washers you are limiting the amount left to torque them down. That and the fact the bar would be hitting the hood liner.

[Ilya]

Based on the pic, looks like there is like 1" of clearance. It's close enough that the red of the STB is reflecting off the engine cover.

You can add washers as spacers to elevate it a little more. Our hoods are fairly bulbous in the middle, the bar could still clear.

You could, but see below.

There are very few threads left exposed on the strut tower and if you add washers you are limiting the amount left to torque them down. That and the fact the bar would be hitting the hood liner.

I'm inclined to agree. I'd love for someone to try it (or maybe one of the M37 guys meet up with a guy within driving distance with a M56) and test it.

[Darthswan]

I'm in the chicago land area, ups says mine will be here Monday.

[parkstr8r]

Tried to order the strut bar from the supplied link - but it was OOS until January.

Having a hard time finding one now that I know it fits...I want it!!!

[Ilya]

I'm in the chicago land area, ups says mine will be here Monday.

Dang, wish you had an M56 so you could go to R2C and have them look at your car to make an intake for the v8 guys.

[Darthswan]

I put the Takada Attack on mine. I saw a V8, when I was getting mine. Don't need a V8 in my life.

[stm37s]

Maybe I'll be the only M owner to have the GT Spec. The Cucso is pretty but I like the GT Spec because it is beefy.

That's very cool looking, I assume, this helps with cornering? does it help with anything else? Thanks

[1GR8M56S]

We need to try that CA intake as well in the v8s

[Altered]

That's very cool looking, I assume, this helps with cornering? does it help with anything else? Thanks

I just did it for appearance. In these 4000 lb cars with the stock suspension I highly doubt it will make any handling difference. Maybe it would on a car with coilovers set really stiff and sticky tires

[Ilya]

That's very cool looking, I assume, this helps with cornering? does it help with anything else? Thanks

I just did it for appearance. In these 4000 lb cars with the stock suspension I highly doubt it will make any handling difference. Maybe it would on a car with coilovers set really stiff and sticky tires

You might notice *some* difference on a stock car, but I agree with you...this mod only becomes beneficial once you start taking care of the rest of the suspension (coilovers, etc.). When done in conjuction, strut bars help a ton.

My 99 Maxima handled amazing and sitting on Tokico struts/H&R springs rode no different than stock. It was how the car should have come from the factory. Sometimes I still miss that car.

[Darthswan]

We'll see what type of difference it makes. I had a 99 Max with FSB and RSB on stock suspension, I noticed a huge difference. Might have to entertain the changing out the suspension.

[wideopn11]

This great, thanks for figuring all this out guys. I gotta get one