Strut bar and a V6: Mounted: yes - does it fit:.....um

[DA H.N.I.C.]

This is for those wondering if the DC strut tower bar (or in my case a replica) will fit on the 3.5L V6.

Long and short of it: yes AND no

The problem I was afraid of is true. The intake of the V6 angles way out to the driver's side strut tower making the idea of the strut brace bar fitting a little suspect.
I've actually never seen one on a V6 and I'm sure a lot of the HEMI & up motor owners will agree that it's not needed. Also, I think ALL LX's already have one located directly underneath the hood-to-windshield plastic cowling.
That being said, I went to my friend SuperT's house to use his micro torque wrench to tighten the strut tower bolts down to 20flbs as recommended by fellow LXers.
The side opposite the intake went on fine but after thumb-tightening the three bolts I could tell the bar was sitting on top of the intake.

BTW: when I say intake I don't mean the K&N AirCharger. I mean the plastic tube extending from the top of the engine.

I managed to lean on the bar and line up the bolts enough to screw it down, finally tightening both sides.

Driving experiences: The front end is noticeably "quieter". I can't hear the body flexing anymore the way it used to when I would enter a steep incline at an angle or go around a corner too fast or on uneven terrain.
Biggest drawback right now is that when in drive and sitting at a light or stop sign the whole interior vibrates due to the fact that the strut bar is sitting directly on the engine. It does NOT vibrate any other time, even when I'm in park.

Not sure if I'm gonna keep the bar or not. It works fine, but at the same time it really doesn't.
We'll see.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee229/diallodavis/My%20Magnum/DSC02360.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee229/diallodavis/My%20Magnum/DSC02361.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee229/diallodavis/My%20Magnum/DSC02362.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee229/diallodavis/My%20Magnum/DSC02363.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee229/diallodavis/My%20Magnum/DSC02364.jpg


On a little side note, I had the resonators and tips from my Borla dual kit removed and replaced with just bigger tips and no resos. So that may not be helping the vibration part of it all.

[lafrad]

oh boy! be careful with that!

Don't want to break one of those manifolds... the look expensive!

[leveil22]

thats a really tight fit

[MikeEast]

Nothing a big f**king hammer on the underside of that bar wouldn't fix I expect...

Mike

[taki]

could you use some washers under the strut tower brace to move the brace up some?
maybe a BT machined spacer would be better..

[DA H.N.I.C.]

Yeah, I was thinking about that. Hopefully it wouldn't compromise the usefulness of the brace.

[Speedee]

hey sorry that it did'nt fit the way you expected. looks decent though. let me know if you gonna keep it or not. that was a good idea bout a spacer. it may give you the clearence you need.

[Hemi Mag]

BFH is your friend!!

AC

[bigblewwho]

The DC sports one is tight too for some. I've seen some bars that have been "altered" or shaved to fit and heard some used spacers. It looks good and just like the DC Sports one...

[fargo59]

hmm, i dont think id be driving with it that tight against the intake.

[bigblewwho]

So I emailed the seller and asked them if this will fit an 05 Magnum V6 and if they had heard of the rubbing/tight fit or options and this is what they replied with:

"Sorry, have not heard of that. We just sell these, we never installed one before, so really could not tell you. Our vendor told us it would fit. Please don't bid, if you think it will rub against the air intake.


- motorblvd"


Interesting...

[conlinj]

did you have any problems with your bar lining up with the bolt holes? I ordered the same bar, but when I have one side on all the bolts, the otherside is a half inch or more off. I called the seller and got an RMA number, was just curious if you had an issues with your bar.

-Jim

[DA H.N.I.C.]

No, mine lined up pretty well. Also, it only fits in one direction, so if I were to turn it around it wouldn't even be close.
It definitely works, though, just needs a little mod to it. I think it would fit an R/T a li'l better.

[Ron380]

I had some "issues" with the Razor's Edge Front Strut Tower Bar, too.

http://www.lxforums.com/board/showthread.php?t=121280

Nothing that couldn't be overcome, though. I LIKE this bar!! :mrgreen:

[DA H.N.I.C.]

Yeah, I think I may be definitely upgrading to Razor's Edge. Heard nothing but good things about their products.

[conlinj]

I tried both ways and it's pretty far off, I don't think it will clear my engine cover either.

Oh well lets try this again before I send it back. If it wasn't dark I would take pictures.

-Jim

[Ron380]

Well my friend, I have no way to compare the two (another MOFO, anyone? LOL ), but I think if you get some spacer's under yours on the driver's side, it should be okay! And maybe a judicious touch of "Thor's Hammer" in the appropriate places might help, too! LOL

[conlinj]

got it installed, took a lot of enlongating holes but it's in. It's part of a christmas present for my dad so there was no way I could get this one out there and they would send a new one by christmas, and odds are I'd probably end up with the same problem. But it's in and straight, and as an fyi, don't order the chrome one if your thinking about getting it.

-Jim