I find it quite unbelievable given that it is from STi and the price that they charge.

But that particular supplier is quite reputable on this BBS. They told me that the STi strut brace flexes which obviously defeats the point of fitting one.

What do you think?

PS. Forgot to say that my car is UK MY00 (i.e. the 'softer' Classic)


[Edited by Subarussian - 4/22/2003 6:25:07 PM]

 

Any thoughts / comments?

Cheers!

 

They are expensive for what they are imo, they are prone to flexing due to the design of them, I believe they were more a 'cosmetic' item rather than a true functional item.

I sold mine about 18 months ago and put a Cusco Alloy brace on instead, on hard driving the difference in turn in etc is noticeable, but it's negliable to be honest.

Personally, i'd rather put upper and lower braces on and then you'd deffo notice the difference rather than just the tops on their own don't seem to make 'that' much difference

 

it depends on the modulus of elasticity (stiffness) of the material its made from. aluminium is typically 70GPa but some carbon fibre epoxy composites can be as high as 200GPa. so you could make a strut brace from CFEC half the thickness of an ally one and it would still be as strong. so the cross sectional area is important but also the shape. if the brace has a curve in it the bending moment will increase. therefore, removing the TMIC and fitting a straight brace should really be the most noticable improvement.

 

So what does this mean for the STi one? I've no idea about the exact spec of it...

 

I ve just ben quoted £380 plus VAT for the STI strut brace from a dealer!!!!!!!!

 

I fitted an STi one to my 00MY wagon and DID notice an improvement in front-end `crispness` under heavy driving. Did NOT pay new price though!! For the money I suspect there are (much!) better braces. Half the cost is the carbon and STi badge (IMHO!!)

 

I don't think the price makes the strut brace any harder or softer

What I am trying to understand is - money aside - if it is a good product or not.

Actually I want to make sure that it does the job it is supposed to do, i.e. does not flex.

Cheers for all the info!

 

OK who makes the best front/upper strut brace regardless of cost, and where can I find one????

Nige

 

Cusco carbon brace, rigid and beautiful

 

cheers Claudius, but I have already ordered the STI brace(didn't think I was going to get a reply)

 

Sorry for taking 13 hours to reply