Ireland Engineering strut bar touching intake manifold *PICS*

[Luke318is]

Hey folks. I installed front and rear strut bars from ireland engineering today.

They have a disclaimer to measure between struts to make sure they havent been too bent out of shape over the years.

Mine were perfect and the bar dropped right onto the studs, no problem. When i tightened it down, i realised it is making contact with the intake manifold, and when you start the car, the whole bloody frame vibrates with the engine!

My buddy thinks that worn out transmission mounts could cause the motor to tilt back, anyone care to add to this theory, or provide a theory of their own?

pics:

[MR 325]

It's always a good idea to check your engine and trans mounts to make sure they're in good shape either way.

As far as the bar, if you don't want to send it back I would do one of two things... Space is up from the strut tower with washers OR dent it in slightly to clear the intake manifold. Otherwise call Ireland and talk to Andrew or Jeremy and see what you can do to resolve it!

[Northern]

This is a known issue for these strut bars. Mine is in my basement for the same reason.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=IE+strut+bar+hits+intake

[Luke318is]

So bogus. Just when you think you are purchasing from a quality vendor

[MPLFoster]

the design looks nearly identical to the Sparco front strut brace, like the one i have, and they're only $125 SHIPPED from OGRacing...http://www.ogracing.com/sparco-front...w-e30-3-series

Plus it does NOT touch the intake at all.

[KIRIEIW]

the design looks nearly identical to the Sparco front strut brace, like the one i have, and they're only $125 SHIPPED from OGRacing...http://www.ogracing.com/sparco-front...w-e30-3-series

Plus it does NOT touch the intake at all.

Can you fit that strut bar on the stock studs or are they not long enough? Question goes for any strut bar I guess.

[MPLFoster]

Can you fit that strut bar on the stock studs or are they not long enough? Question goes for any strut bar I guess.

On the Sparco brace they have indents where the studs come thru so the nuts have plenty of threads to grab on to..

Here's mine on stock suspension.

[KIRIEIW]

On the Sparco brace they have indents where the studs come thru so the nuts have plenty of threads to grab on to..

Here's mine on stock suspension.

Sweet thanks! That's how my engine bay would look too, my car came with red spark plug wires. Perfect pic for reference.

[SkiFree]

Yikes, alright couple things.

1) The sparco bar and the IE bar have the same clearance. If the IE bar won't fit then..... I've had guys call about how they're Sparco bar didn't clear the manifold, and I tell them not to buy the IE bar because it won't be any better. The problem is that if you go any higher you start rubbing on the underside of the hood. Unfortunately the reality is that these cars do vary slightly from one to another in these dimensions

2) If the bar doesn't fit and you don't want to mess it up, you're more than welcome to return it for a refund. I just put one on another car this last Friday, fit fine.

3) The IE bar has the same stud indentions as the Sparco bar.

4) Contrary to what was mentioned in one of the other 4 threads you started, having a close look at your trans and motor mounts can and has made a difference (a worn trans mount pivots the engine/manifold backwards ever so slightly.)

[Luke318is]

Yep. I just had to modify it.

[SkiFree]

Great, well I'm sorry for your headache. A few years back I had close to a dozen e30's I tried it on, about three of them needed a little work unfortunately.