I'd leave it in. I was amazed on how a strut bar could do it's job when I purchased a Neuspeed front upper strut bar to replace the EBAY front strut bar that came on my 1991 Civic Si when I purchased it in Feb.

With the EBAY bar in the camber was at -3.5 or so on the front. When I went to put the Neuspeed bar on it didn't line up with the strut bolts. The bolts were 1/2" to the outside of the bar. So I had to jack up the middle of the car and finally got the bar on.

When I went back to get my car realigned the camber went to -2.8 on the front and the car turned in much quicker.

Personally I'd say leave the bar in especially if you plan to autocross it alot. The structure of cars weren't meant to take this much abuse and your frame will suffer and flex.

And who cares if it looks like garbage No one sees the interior when you race. The lower bar is a waste personally.