Need4Speed Posted July 6, 2002 Share Posted July 6, 2002 I've noticed a few cars have strut braces fitted at the front, do these make any significant improvement to stiffness (no gags please)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lust2luv Posted July 10, 2002 Share Posted July 10, 2002 It's supposedly fairly noticable if you're driving it hard. Which raises the question: can anybody recommend a good strut brace? Something inexpensive, not worried about what name is on it, nothing too heavy but not exactly carbon fibre neither, somewhere in between. Anyone on here sell 'em? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syed Shah Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 People seem to rate the TRD one pretty favourably, so you could give that a go, but it is rather chunky, or another popular choice is the cusco one (I think Martin has one?) which is quite a bit thinner. Justin or PW could probably get them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GavinL Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 Originally posted by John Packham I've noticed a few cars have strut braces fitted at the front, do these make any significant improvement to stiffness (no gags please)? Depends if the car is a hardtop or a Targa for a start. The hardtop car is very stiff already by all accounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Martin F Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 Originally posted by Syed Shah (I think Martin has one?) Yep, have Cusco bars back and front which i think are a fair compromise between weight and cost. Although how much they actually do is another question. I think Justin can supply these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 Mine has two rear braces, the front one, and half a roll cage. And I can't say I can tell the difference between it and a stock one... I really think they're just for show. Not that I know what to look for But as Gavin pointed out, it'd probably help a targa one a lot more. As they definatly are noticably worse than the hard tops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONKEYmark Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 Originally posted by Martin F I think Justin can supply these. no he can not i waited 6 months for cusco os (oval type) knocked it on head in end and put the money to an BLITZ fmic he got the round tubing cuco but i wanted the oval tubing the trd strutbraces are too chunky i like the cusco with chrome finish and blue ends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Whiffin Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 I can get these in about 2 weeks if needed no problem at all, any of the Cusco ones. In fact I can get anything from Japan pretty quickly if required. Regards Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted July 11, 2002 Author Share Posted July 11, 2002 I guess from the performance point of view that's a bit of "who knows". Mine's a coupé not a targa so probably nothing in it other than for looks and presentation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 Can you get me a Supra MKV Paul:) Oh and I still need that cover for the rear wing? cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terence Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 a strut brace should make a noticable difference, they stiffen the body so your steering and cornering and general handling should improve, rear ones should make your back end more positive, on my mkiii it made an awfull difference to the front to the point where i wouldnt want to be without it, someone else in ireland had a back one also and said it had even more effect, i havent driven mine with one on yet but will be doing so, front and rear, the shear fact it can do nothing else but brace the chassis further must mean a benifit at some point, if you have soft suspension you probably feel less effect, if you have hard then you would feel the extra stiffness, ie more positive feel to the car, im not going over board with my car, just the best i can get for the money im prepared to spend, jic suspension, strut braces, braided hoses and good pads will all improve the overall handling of the car but anymore requirement than that and you should really be on the track. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 The carbon fibre/aluminium Cusco braces are very well made and stiffen up the back end considerably. Not sure if they make a carbon fibre/alu front brace, if they do then this would be a good choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lust2luv Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 So what sort of prices are we talking here? Carbon fibre seems a bit OTT to me, for the negligible weight advantage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Whiffin Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 All on my web site, http://www.whifbitz.co.uk/suprasuspension.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 Anybody would think I'm getting commision from Paul He just happens to stock all my favourite parts. Paul you should look at doing the Defi gauge system, great quality products. L2L the advantage of using carbon fibre for the strut is not just weight but also stiffness. A carbon fibre tube can be made a lot stiffer than an alu or steel tube of the same weight. Paul any pictures of the front Carb/Alu brace installed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Whiffin Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 I tried to get hold of those defi gauges once before, it never happened for one reason or another, your right though they are suppose to be very good. Haven't got any pics of the front bars unfortunately, sorry Nic. I'd imagine they look pretty similar to the front bar but in carbon, here's a picture of my car with the front bar on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 I've got the Defi gauges fitted, the new version of the gauges is cool, the face is completely black with alu surround when the ignition is off. Turn the ignition on and the numbers light up white, the needle red with red and blue peak/warning lights. They are also making TRD's new gauge system which is very similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 Here's a photo of them lit up, you really need to see them in action though to really appreciate them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted July 14, 2002 Share Posted July 14, 2002 I have a targa and it is twisty as hell. When I first took the roof off after buying it I was quite disturbed. I think I'll be in touch Paul W to get some of those £168 Cuscos. I'll let you all know what difference there is (if any). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam W Posted July 14, 2002 Share Posted July 14, 2002 I think there is an american product for targa top Mk3's which acts on the same prinicple as a strutbrace, but ties the front and rear halves of the car together somehow. Never paid much attention as I don't have a targa so I couldn't tell you what they looked like or even where they bolted on, but it may be worth investigating. "Targa wobble" won't be affected much by tieing the suspension turrets together IMHO, you need more stiffening front-to-back rather than side-to-side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Whiffin Posted July 15, 2002 Share Posted July 15, 2002 Do-Luck sell them, all prices on my site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted July 15, 2002 Author Share Posted July 15, 2002 Having now track tested my Supra I think a front strut brace will do nothing but look nice. However, the back end was a bit twitchy. I suspect this is spring rates that are a bit too hard for the damping rate (or dampers too soft for the springs). Still, thanks to those who advised me about my boost problem (and a little help from Blitz) the engine performed well. But I need more power! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted July 15, 2002 Share Posted July 15, 2002 Yeah that does make sense Adam. The fulcrum of the twist in my car definitely feels to be between the front half and the rear halves. Would that horizontal rear seat leg area 'Do-luck crossbar' from PW do the job or do you reckon the only thing to do it is a front to back stiffening system guys?? (Apart from welding the flippin roof back on) Paul W if you are reading where on earth does that thing connect to? Looks tricky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Whiffin Posted July 15, 2002 Share Posted July 15, 2002 The rear floor lower supports mount lengthways underneath the car and the cross brace mounts behind the seats, both are great for the aero top and can't do any harm(apart from add weight)to a hardtop either. Nice bit of kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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