Well I got my bar and went to put it on the other day. I see several problems with installing it. I like the bar, itlooks very sturdy and like it will help handling a lot, once I deal with a few problems.

I used the spacers for the brake fluid reservoir. This pushed the reservoir forward, but not enough. yes there is no more room with the battery to go forward anymore. The bar still covered the reservoir cap, so I would have to take the bar off to get to the brake fluid.

I had the bolts half tightened down and the bar was starting to crush the cap on my washer fluid reservoir. So again bar would have to be removed to add washer fluid.

The Cruise control box was in the way. I think I couldbend it down enough to we out of the way, or do the relocation others have done.

In conclusion I will install this, but not now. Once I have relocated the battery to the trunk, I'll be able to space out the brake fluid reservoir enough to clear the bar and be able to get to the brake fluid. I will swuitch to a rear washer fluid reservoir and run a line to the engine bay, like someone else did on the board. Then move or bend the cruise control out of the way. Once all of this is done i'll install the bar.

Una salus victus.
It's not about being invincible, it's about being ready; for anything.



Michael J. Kulaga
e-mail: Michael_97RS@2gntDSM.zzn.com aol IM: MJKulga
http://highlander.dsmpower.com/

Injen CAI, 55mm TB, Hooker 4-1 Stepped Header, GS-T Muffler, AFX UDP, S-AFC, 8.5mm Magnecor Wires, Crane Fireball HI-6DI2, SS Clutch Line, NRG Susp. Motor Mount Ins., FU/RU/RL STBs, TSW Blade 17x7.5, Bridgestone Potenza RE730 215/45ZR-17. Front KVR Cross-Drilled Rotors & Carbon Fiber Pads

To Be Installed: P&P Intake Manifold 1/2, P&P Milled Head, Rear Disc Brakes, Rear KVR Cross Drilled Rotors & Carbon Fiber Kevlar Pads, SS Brake Lines

I talked recently with a suspension guru about the neuspeed bar, and he saw some major design flaws in it. First off, the fit is horrible due to so little room in our engine bay. Secondly, the bar has bends on each end in order to mount to the car. Usually, a bend like that is a weak point. You would rather have a 90 degree bend (not a smooth bend) so that it won't be able to flex left and right as much. I think that it lacks horizontal support to keep the bar from flexing left and right. A bend in a piece of metal like that is usually not good. I'm sure that this won't matter to most people though, but maybe hardcore autocrossers would notice. And I'm also sure that it helps more than not having it at all, but I guess there are ways to improve that bar. Does anyone know why they discontinued it?

Mine is a tight fit. I had to push the fluid container down a little bit and when I screw the lid off I have to turn it at an angle to get it off. Oh well, worth it IMO.


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current status - No 3rd Gear synchro


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