Jdm (96-97) Itr Headers

Has anyone installed a JDM ITR (96-97) Header in their integ? I tried installing the header in the other day and everything fit pretty good. The only problem I encounter was the cross member support bar that runs parallel to the header. Because the collector is a bit bigger, it’s in the way of the support bar. How important is this bar? Will the body flex too much without the bar? What does the bar do?

You’d be perfectly fine removing the bar. The 92-93 GS-R’s don’t even have them. I know because I have a 93 GS-R.

Thanks for the help. I think i’ll put the header back in.