strut brace...

#1

Does anyone on here NOT have a strut brace? I plan on doing a few HPDEs first and would like to know if the strut brace makes that much difference. thanks.

#2

Spend your money on DE’s for now. I would put the front strut brace on low priority after the rest of the allowable suspension mods are done. The rear strut brace would be even lower on the priority list.

#3

Actually I don’t have one. Just never gave enough of a shat to put one on. :slight_smile: Car seems fine.

#4

They sure do look pretty and fast. I’ve got two of 'em for sale…off of old clunker cars, nice polished aluminum.

Race-wise: don’t bother as the brace is always in the way of important maintenance items, like changing out broken rocker arms between qualifing and race time.

I agree, spend the money on seat time.

Regards, Robert Patton

#5

I agree. They may not do much for you as far as performance. But I had one on my car when I hit the wall at VIR and I’m convinced it absorbed enough of the impact that I didn’t have to find a whole new car.

With that said… I also agree with seat time being the best place to put your money.

#6

actually, I’ve heard the opposite philosophy - if you have a strut brace and have a big enough hit on one corner, you will bend both sides of the car instead of just one.
bruce

scottmc wrote:

[quote]I agree. They do much for you as far as performance. But I had one on my car when I hit the wall at VIR and I’m convinced it absorbed enough of the impact that I didn’t have to find a whole new car.

With that said… I also agree with seat time being the best place to put your money.[/quote]

#7

Just as a data reference there is a significant amount of flex in the e30. I was suprised that my FSTB did not line up with the tower bolts (off by 1/2") until it was off the jack stands and on it’s own weight.

#8

If you do buy, don’t buy the aluminum BLING parts. Sparco and Ireland make the only two that are function over form.

#9

leggwork wrote:

[quote]actually, I’ve heard the opposite philosophy - if you have a strut brace and have a big enough hit on one corner, you will bend both sides of the car instead of just one.
bruce

scottmc wrote:

[quote]I agree. They do much for you as far as performance. But I had one on my car when I hit the wall at VIR and I’m convinced it absorbed enough of the impact that I didn’t have to find a whole new car.

With that said… I also agree with seat time being the best place to put your money.[/quote][/quote]

I could see how this could be true. It may have transfered some of the impact to the drivers side. Either way… I still feel it prevented all of the impact being localized and made it so my car was repairable.

The guy who did the body work (Bassen) seemed to agree