Cusco Front Strut Bar Type OS

1985–1987 Toyota Corolla AE86

Part #: 116 540 A

Overview

The Cusco Front Strut Bar Type OS is a high-performance chassis reinforcement component designed specifically for the Toyota Corolla AE86 from 1985 to 1987. Crafted to enhance your vehicle's handling and stability, this strut bar is an essential upgrade for enthusiasts seeking improved cornering response and reduced body flex during spirited driving or track days. Made from lightweight aluminum with a distinctive oval cross section, it combines durability with a sleek, stylish appearance that complements the engine bay.

Whether you’re a dedicated motorsport participant or a daily driver looking for better steering feel, the Cusco Type OS strut bar helps you get the most out of your AE86’s chassis. Its precise engineering ensures a perfect fit, providing increased rigidity to the front suspension and contributing to more predictable handling characteristics. Installing this strut bar is straightforward, making it an accessible upgrade for both novice and experienced enthusiasts.

Key Features

The Cusco Front Strut Bar Type OS incorporates several advanced features designed to optimize chassis performance:

• Lightweight Aluminum Construction: The oval cross section of the piping reduces weight without sacrificing strength, helping to keep your vehicle agile and responsive.
• Engineered Inside and Out: The bar’s design balances lightweight characteristics with structural integrity, ensuring durability under demanding driving conditions.
• Precision Brackets: The steel end plate brackets are painted in Cusco’s trademarked blue, providing a flawless fitment tailored specifically for the AE86. These brackets ensure secure mounting and optimal alignment.
• Application-Specific Design: Three different center bar types are available, each set to match specific vehicle applications for maximum effectiveness.
• Simple Bolt-On Installation: The strut bar installs using existing mounting points with minimal effort, requiring no cutting or modifications.
• Enhanced Handling: By reducing chassis flex, the strut bar improves steering response and stability during aggressive cornering.
• Stylish Appearance: The sleek aluminum finish and precise engineering add a performance-oriented aesthetic to your engine bay.

Construction & Design

The Cusco Type OS strut bar is constructed from high-quality aluminum, chosen for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Its oval shaft design not only reduces weight but also provides a unique visual appeal. The internal and external engineering ensures that the bar maintains structural integrity while keeping weight to a minimum, which is crucial for maintaining the AE86’s nimbleness. The steel brackets are meticulously painted in Cusco’s signature blue, offering corrosion resistance and a professional finish. The overall design emphasizes durability, ease of installation, and performance enhancement, making it a reliable upgrade for your vehicle’s chassis.

Performance & Sound

While the Cusco Front Strut Bar Type OS does not produce a noticeable sound change, its impact on vehicle dynamics is significant. By increasing chassis rigidity, it helps improve steering precision and reduces body roll, especially during aggressive driving. Enthusiasts often report more direct and responsive handling, which translates into better control and confidence on twisty roads or race tracks. Although specific horsepower or torque gains are not claimed, the structural reinforcement contributes to a more stable and predictable driving experience.

Installation & Fitment

The installation process is straightforward and designed to be a bolt-on upgrade. The strut bar mounts directly to the factory suspension points without the need for cutting, drilling, or additional modifications. Typically, no special tools or tuning are required, and the process can be completed in under an hour with basic hand tools. The precise fitment brackets ensure that the bar aligns perfectly with the vehicle’s chassis, providing maximum effectiveness and a clean appearance.

• Simple bolt-on installation using existing mounting points
• No cutting, drilling, or tuning required
• Designed specifically for the Toyota Corolla AE86 (1985–1987)

What's Included

• Cusco Front Strut Bar Type OS
• Steel end plate brackets with mounting hardware
• Installation instructions

Ideal For

• AE86 owners seeking improved handling and chassis rigidity
• Performance enthusiasts and motorsport participants
• Daily drivers wanting a simple upgrade for better steering response

Emissions Note

This product is designed for off-road or racing use only and may not be legal for street use in all jurisdictions. Please check local regulations before installation.