Benefits of Rear Strutbrace
13 March 2006, 09:59 PM
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Benefits of Rear Strutbrace
I run a classic 4 door STi and have considered fitting a rear strutbrace. However, given the fairly "Monocoque" looking frame fitted across the back/top of the boot area (the boot lid arms, etc, attach to this), what would be the benefit? Isn't this enough for latteral rigidity?
13 March 2006, 11:01 PM
#5
Graham, I think your car may benefit for the type of use it gets, but mines only for the road really so no way of testing for performance gains.
Its a little quiter thought!! LOL.
Snap, the rear bulkhead is open apart from a steel "bolted" in bar across the middle (horizontal). I have simply seem welded a piece of sheet steel acrosss and also welded the original bar to this sheet. You could I suppose simply seem weld the areas that are only spot welded, but you may as well fill in the hole completely.
Its a little quiter thought!! LOL.
Snap, the rear bulkhead is open apart from a steel "bolted" in bar across the middle (horizontal). I have simply seem welded a piece of sheet steel acrosss and also welded the original bar to this sheet. You could I suppose simply seem weld the areas that are only spot welded, but you may as well fill in the hole completely.
14 March 2006, 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Welloilbeefhooked
I dont think there is that much difference when used on the road. I have welded the rear bulkhead completey shut on my MY98 WRX and have noticed very little difference.
Cheers
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15 March 2006, 12:57 PM
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I replied in general and without thinking. My apologies if any offence was percieved - none was meant.
I was thinking along the same lines (front carbon etc - quite noticeable with and without), but glad I checked.
Cheers
I was thinking along the same lines (front carbon etc - quite noticeable with and without), but glad I checked.
Cheers
15 March 2006, 01:05 PM
#12
Took my Sti v3 carbon front off to fit the V8 TMIC, went faster up the hill climb...
Too easy to be pulled by Marketing Bling.
Now, braces that are triangulated to the shell will be a different matter.
Take a look at the front brace in an EVO 5.
Graham
Too easy to be pulled by Marketing Bling.
Now, braces that are triangulated to the shell will be a different matter.
Take a look at the front brace in an EVO 5.
Graham
15 March 2006, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by unfeasablylargegonads
well I found the front strut brace did make a difference, so thought I would try the back one, that was my logic 
Would also say the solid rear bulkhead is a bit of an overstatement .... having an RB5, I have this on the car .... just a narrow square bar between the rear seats, and way too far down to make any difference!
15 March 2006, 03:32 PM
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I still think you were imagining things after fitting that front brace Norm
SNAP, if you haven't done so already get your ARB's replaced. Best money you can spend IMO.
SNAP, if you haven't done so already get your ARB's replaced. Best money you can spend IMO.
15 March 2006, 08:37 PM
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Finally got round to fitting my front 22mm ARB at the weekend. All I can say is wow 
roundabouts are even more fun now .. and that's even with 90K floaty dampers 
roundabouts are even more fun now .. and that's even with 90K floaty dampers
15 March 2006, 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by ozzy
I still think you were imagining things after fitting that front brace Norm
16 March 2006, 01:37 PM
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There is no such thing as too much chassis rigidity. The more you can take chassis flex out of the suspension equation the better.
Like tyres, chassis flex is undampened suspension movement so has a direct relation to damper and spring rates.
That is why competition cars and vehicle manufacturers are always trying to get the highest torsional rigidity as possible.
So, although a strut brace might not have a dramatic effect like an ALK or ARB, it does aid things like grip and body durability.
A link from Whiteline seems to explain it better http://www.whiteline.com.au/faqelse01.htm#Chassis and strut bracing
Cheers
Like tyres, chassis flex is undampened suspension movement so has a direct relation to damper and spring rates.
That is why competition cars and vehicle manufacturers are always trying to get the highest torsional rigidity as possible.
So, although a strut brace might not have a dramatic effect like an ALK or ARB, it does aid things like grip and body durability.
A link from Whiteline seems to explain it better http://www.whiteline.com.au/faqelse01.htm#Chassis and strut bracing
Cheers
Last edited by jgevers; 16 March 2006 at 01:48 PM.
16 March 2006, 02:33 PM
#20
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Job,
Just how "thick" or "stiff" does the bar need to be. A lot of the aftermarket bars a pencil thin and don't look like they do very much. No doubting your expertise that they will do something, I'm just sceptical that certain bars can be "felt" on their own - especially the cheap carbon ones doing the rounds on eBay. Even my Cusco one looks pretty lame and any decent bar I've seen looks as thick (if not thicker) than something like this:-
Stefan
Just how "thick" or "stiff" does the bar need to be. A lot of the aftermarket bars a pencil thin and don't look like they do very much. No doubting your expertise that they will do something, I'm just sceptical that certain bars can be "felt" on their own - especially the cheap carbon ones doing the rounds on eBay. Even my Cusco one looks pretty lame and any decent bar I've seen looks as thick (if not thicker) than something like this:-
Stefan
16 March 2006, 06:27 PM
#21
That EVO one above is what I'm saying. The front strut tops are joined BUT are linked to the bulk head too so triangulating the brack = big stiffness change.
This is not a common sight in an Impreza because of the TMIC.
Graham
This is not a common sight in an Impreza because of the TMIC.
Graham
16 March 2006, 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by ozzy
Job,
Just how "thick" or "stiff" does the bar need to be. A lot of the aftermarket bars a pencil thin and don't look like they do very much. No doubting your expertise that they will do something, I'm just sceptical that certain bars can be "felt" on their own - especially the cheap carbon ones doing the rounds on eBay. Even my Cusco one looks pretty lame and any decent bar I've seen looks as thick (if not thicker) than something like this:-
Stefan
Just how "thick" or "stiff" does the bar need to be. A lot of the aftermarket bars a pencil thin and don't look like they do very much. No doubting your expertise that they will do something, I'm just sceptical that certain bars can be "felt" on their own - especially the cheap carbon ones doing the rounds on eBay. Even my Cusco one looks pretty lame and any decent bar I've seen looks as thick (if not thicker) than something like this:-
Stefan
Cheers
16 March 2006, 10:28 PM
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I read on here somewhere that cheapo carbon ones are actualy quite flexible which sort of defeats their purpose. In additon there are loads of poor quality strut braces around that I doubt do much as they have play in them at the joints.
The Evo braces are indeed alot better.
Has anyone one tried the various summit chassis braces as featured in this months japanese performace mag fitted to the WRC-tech car?
The Evo braces are indeed alot better.
Has anyone one tried the various summit chassis braces as featured in this months japanese performace mag fitted to the WRC-tech car?
29 March 2006, 06:10 PM
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Would also say the solid rear bulkhead is a bit of an overstatement .... having an RB5, I have this on the car .... just a narrow square bar between the rear seats, and way too far down to make any difference! [/QUOTE]
I have missed a lot on this. Instant messaging didn't seem have worked.
I had a 97 Turbo and just can't remember seeing similar bulkhead (same on the RB5?) - perhaps it's because the seats fold down? It do remember though that it use to make creacking noises when reversing slowly over bumps etc!
[/QUOTE]I have missed a lot on this. Instant messaging didn't seem have worked.
I had a 97 Turbo and just can't remember seeing similar bulkhead (same on the RB5?) - perhaps it's because the seats fold down? It do remember though that it use to make creacking noises when reversing slowly over bumps etc!
29 March 2006, 06:16 PM
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SNAP, if you haven't done so already get your ARB's replaced. Best money you can spend IMO.[/QUOTE]
I have first hand info on this from a friend - he swares by the result. Next mod on the list (plus solid bushes - current ones getting worn anyway).
I have first hand info on this from a friend - he swares by the result. Next mod on the list (plus solid bushes - current ones getting worn anyway).
29 March 2006, 06:20 PM
#30
The 20mm thin wall steel tcross tube is there to stop luggage impacting and hitting rear passengers on hard braking or impact, a crash bar if you like.
It is nothing to do with chassis stiffening.
Graham
It is nothing to do with chassis stiffening.
Graham