Good thinking!

All in good time, though. Honestly, I also love engine bling, and wouldn't mind seeing that GT Spec bar when I open the hood. Granted, I'd have to get the brackets powdercoated just right, and buy some titanium hardware...

It's real, but it's also very minimal. And it's an argument older than car forums, because everyone is an expert.

 

Lol, well I do admit I drive no way near the level of stunt driving I've seen in Dubai.

 

Yes, I replaced my GTspec with the Cusco bar. Looks are subjective but IMO Cusco looks much better than the GTspec. The finish on the bar is much higher in quality. I said that it's more functional because it has a better fitment w/o any rubbing issues on the hood liner. Plus the material seems much better in quality including the bar itself, the brackets, and the hardware included. I went through 2 sets of hardware because they strip so easy on the GTspec. Lastly, I am being a lil more biased because Cusco comes from Japan. The Japanese simply do it better than the Chinese.

 

Except for the Japanese vs. Chinese thing, thanks for following through on that.

Higher quality finish with better fitment... that's a worthy comment, and one to remember.

 

I've had both. They are effective depending on how you drive. The Cusco is much prettier and fits much better. They both functioned as they're designed to. Any stiff piece of metal bracing the top of your strut towers will help handling, especially at the limit. That's why they are stock on the 370Z. They're not just for show.

 

[QUOTE=Rochester;3422310]Except for the Japanese vs. Chinese thing, thanks for following through on that.

Don't get me wrong. I wasn't trying to sound like a racist *****. I am also asian btw if that makes any difference. I just wanted to simply point out the fact that in 99.9% of the time, JDM parts are far superior than Chinese parts.

 

How does it seem more functional? I own the GTSpec, and would switch over if there's that big of a difference.

 

silly Dj

So even Black Betty thinks it's more attractive with better fitment, and he's also had both. In my short time here, I've been mostly liking what he writes, so this is all good to know.

I'm glad J2S2M brought up the Cusco bar. Now I need to go troll for photos.

 

Don't forget the Circuit Sports, too!

Circuit Sport (Alutec) Strut Bar - G35Driver

 

I said the Cusco is much prettier and fits better. They both seem equally functional.

I have a $19 eBay strut bar on my Maxim and it makes a world of difference on that FWD that limp noodle as far as stiffening up the front suspension. Unless there is some serious inferior quality control going on, a stiff piece of metal is a stiff piece of metal. The Cusco bar is very thin but very wide. and very shiny. The GT Spec was narrow and thicker. Both worked fine. I liked the looks and fit of the Cusco better so I switched.

Regarding stripping mounting nuts, the GT Spec nuts were just fine, no quality issues on my set. If you're stripping them, you are probably using to much torque. They could only be torqued to about 28 ft/lbs if My memory is correct. That's not much.

 

Nice. Very nice. However, not something for someone who would like to easily remove the strut bar without having to undo all 6 strut bolts, then torque them down properly again.