LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

New Strut bar.. now engine sounds different?

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Old 07-27-06, 02:31 PM
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Suneet
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Default New Strut bar.. now engine sounds different?

I just installed the Otto Racing strut bar on my 94 LS.. after I did my Tokico struts and Daizen sway bar bushings. I'm quite happy with the result. I don't think the sway bar does much in the way of body roll, but it absoultely tightened up and firmed by steering resonse! That is a solid benefit! Also, I don't think I would have felt that difference if I didn't have the Tokicos + Daizen sway bushings..

The bar is allright. You'll see in the pictures, I had to unscrew the side screws from the bar quite a bit... I think getting a one piece or a better multi-piece Supra bar would create better handling improvements..

However, a slight problem. After installing the bar, the engine noise sounds very different. Mainly at idle, the car has a much deeper tone that I'm not used to. You can hear it upto about 1000 RPM, after that the other noises drown it out. So from like 0-5 mph you can hear it. I'm also getting a little bit of vibration that I feel on the brake pedal when I'm stopped.. that I didn't feel before...

I took some pictures of the bar and its clearance, and will post them now... is this change in noise normal? Take a look at the clearance...
Attached Thumbnails New Strut bar.. now engine sounds different?-clearance1.jpg  
Old 07-27-06, 02:32 PM
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Suneet
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Here's how it looks from another angle
Attached Thumbnails New Strut bar.. now engine sounds different?-clearance2.jpg  
Old 07-27-06, 02:33 PM
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Suneet
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and another one...
Attached Thumbnails New Strut bar.. now engine sounds different?-clearance3.jpg  
Old 07-27-06, 08:58 PM
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Looks like your motor is too close and vibrating through the bar. Try raising the bar with washers and see how that goes. The only trouble is there might not be much room under the hood.
Old 07-27-06, 10:59 PM
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KilaWombat
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I have a 93 with the same bar and mine looks just like your's. I haven't noticed an increase in noise with mine though.
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