I just got my plenum spacer from Z1 this past week and installed it Friday night.
The whole install went smoothly until it was time to put the strut bar back on...They supplied some washers to put under the bar to raise it just the little bit that it should take to clear. Unfortunately, mine wouldn't fit no matter what I tried. So I started thinking, is it possible that the engine is sitting too high?
1. The engine was replaced prior to me getting the car.
2. It still has stock mounts (as far as I know).
3. When I first got the car I noticed that there was not much space between the strut bar and the plenum.

Anyone have any thought on this? Tried searching, couldn't find anything.

 

All the things that you mentioned are possible.
In addition,the tightness/torque that you are using on the OEM strut bar can be a factor.
How far is the clearance off?
May be easier to just get another strut bar that will clear rather than fool with your engine position etc..
Was thinking...you did'nt get a larger spacer than what works with the OEM bar ,did you?

 

Ordered the Z1...the only size they make is the 5/16th which on their site states that it can clear the oem strut.

 

You just need to add a couple more washers from the local hardware store. Many people have had to do this for the proper strut bar clearance.

 

Keep tightening the strut bar. The more you tighten it, the more it will flex and give you clearance. I made sure to mark the threads before I took mine off, and you'd be surprise how far you need to tighten to get back to factory.

 

Mine cleared after enough washers, don't over tighten the 6 bolts in the middle of the plenum, you will break the aluminum, ask me how I know

 

It's not a matter of getting it to fit. I can get it to bolt down with the washers but it acts as a block on top of the engine causing it not to move. Driving it with the strut bar sitting on top of the plenum made it seem like the engine wouldn't torque at all, in-turn putting drivetrain vibration into the steering wheel and pedals.

 

Just to make sure we're on the same page. You made sure to loosen the strut bar here...(see picture below)?

If you didn't loosen this, I would suggest you do but mark the threads before loosening. Retighten past your marks because clearly someone has adjusted your strut bar since the Z1 spacer won't fit.

If you did loosen this, then you need to tighten it down more. Maybe 1 to 1.5 turns will tighten it enough to put some flex/bow in the bar. Then you will have the clearance.



I am running the 1/2" spacer with the factory strut bar. I have the spacers/washers I got from kinetix v+ on all 8 points, and then one extra on each bolt on the bottom 2 on each side. I have washers on my hood mounts, and everything fits.

 

I had to use 2 more washers for each mount point. Also try adjusting the strut bar. Then the bar should not be touching the top plenum. Make sure it doesn't touch when revving the engine as well.

 

Could also be an issue with the engine swap/motor mounts they used. I know that my aftermarket Revshift motor mounts lowered the engine 3/8"

 

That would help OP, I just used a crap ton of washer on mine, I added more when I saw wear marks from where the strut bar was rubbing the plenum