Autoplak

+1, thank you all

Thank you mandy. With this, I did a CL search and found VVTiBob's post in 2011 for the SC430

"According to my 02 FSM
Front Shock Absorbers:
The three top bolt: 41ft/lbs
the middle bolt where the speed senors mounts: 48in/lbs
the lower shock absorber bracket bolt 116ft/lbs.
Torque the lower bolt should be done after the suspension is loaded.
and while your at it,
Front Wheel lugs are 76ft/lbs

Rear Shocks
The three top bolt: 47ft/lbs
the two middle bolts: 13ft/lbs
the lower bolt where it ties into rear suspension member 81ft/lbs.
Torque the lower bolt should be done after the suspension is loaded.
Rear wheel lugs are 76ft/lbs"

I also found other posts that recommend for other cars "80 N.m (820 kgf-cm, 59 ft-lbf) for those 3 bolts on the top"

I agree with mandy that this is important information to get right because of the stresses involved. Especially for the ones that are doing this mod for performance. For guys like myself who plan to drive the car like an old man, it's not so critical.

mandyfig

Autoplak, you da man! I was close with my 50 ft-lbs. Today I will re-torque to 41-ft-lbs.

Obviously in my case, it was probably the 1st time that the strut bolts were loosened from the factory. It took a breaker bar to unbolt it.

Yehey! 41 ft-lbs.

mandyfig

I am so happy to look at my engine bay nowadays. I really have to replace my DIY Intake shield with nice AL plates.

Autoplak

Just received my 188540A Cusco STB yesterday and will install this weekend. Reading the instructions (mostly in Japanese), I noticed the only English wording clearly stating;
"This product is designed for use in Japan only. It must not be used in any other country."
How are we all handling this?
Also, it shows a torque wrench as a tool to be used in assembly and our style of STB is "O.S", however, I cannot match up Japanese lettering for torque wrench with any numbers in the instructions.
Oh well, 41 ft-lbs it is! I may live a little dangerously and go 45.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

nice strut bar. this should fit the GS 400/430 right?

gr8t808

While corresponding with Mathieu about purchasing a strut bar, he asked if I could respond to tmf2004:

Quote
For the GS400 430 JZS160, there is 4 rear strut bar available :
Type OS : http://www.cusco.co.jp/en/catalog/type_os.html
Type AS : http://www.cusco.co.jp/en/catalog/type_alc_as.html
Type CB : http://www.cusco.co.jp/en/catalog/type_cb.html
Type 40 : http://www.cusco.co.jp/en/catalog/type_40.html

Front the front there is nothing. There is the Lower Arm Bar Ver.II : http://www.cusco.co.jp/en/catalog/lo..._side_bar.html
End Quote

Hope this helps . . . .

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

thanks for the links . appreciate that

mandyfig

More pics of the engine bay with the Cusco Bar, and I also dumped my DIY Injen shroud, making a professional shroud for it.

Torqued the strut bar bolts to 40 ft-lbs.

mandyfig

Sorry for the bling bling on the cover...LOL

mandyfig

I figured the emblems taken from the rear was put to good use.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

I really likens you still retain the strut covers. looks clean

ShawnOk

iTrader: (1)

Mandyfig, did you have to mod anything additional to retain the black plastic strut covers? I'd like to do the same.

DarthSid

There are no mods required. The OEM caps fit perfectly.

Autoplak

Lots of bling and inspired by mandy and others. thanks


Special ordered Cusco carbon fiber brackets

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

not to start a debate but I have a feeling this would fit the GS400. same engine basically it's just the 430 engine sits higher than the 400.

great pics