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Cusco Type ST Front Strut Bar
- Thread starter Dale
- Start date
IMHO I don't think any of us need one, never mind reinforcing to the scuttle. I fitted one to to my track car because I skimmed my home repaired inner wings with filler and I didn't want it to crack. It worked.
How many of us are going to corner or jump so hard that the turrets are going to move and we are going to notice it?
I have them on both my cars but I didn't fit them.
I know the racer guys swear by them but they drive in conditions where they can measure any improvement.
How many of us are going to corner or jump so hard that the turrets are going to move and we are going to notice it?
I have them on both my cars but I didn't fit them.
I know the racer guys swear by them but they drive in conditions where they can measure any improvement.
peter_s
Club Member
I agree with you there. Wouldn't care regarding street driving.
On the track though it's a different story. I prioritize chassis flex pretty high. I used to not care so much, but after driving a few stiff cars I've changed my mind. Especially if you get rid of the rubber bushings (another really important thing), then the flex will become more apparent. It's a downward spiral
So it's only for the track I care about this.
On the track though it's a different story. I prioritize chassis flex pretty high. I used to not care so much, but after driving a few stiff cars I've changed my mind. Especially if you get rid of the rubber bushings (another really important thing), then the flex will become more apparent. It's a downward spiral
So it's only for the track I care about this.
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
I agree with you there. Wouldn't care regarding street driving.
On the track though it's a different story. I prioritize chassis flex pretty high. I used to not care so much, but after driving a few stiff cars I've changed my mind. Especially if you get rid of the rubber bushings (another really important thing), then the flex will become more apparent. It's a downward spiral
So it's only for the track I care about this.
I think rubber bushings are the way forward. Especially for bumpy b-roads.
My experience is that you can feel the flex in the car, even driving normally on the road. So a good brace is something you notice on the road. I don't think it adds up to "need" though. Nor do stroker engines, twin cam heads, rust removal, big brakes, adjustable coilovers, crack free dashes, twin exit exhausts, ....
Thanks to Mr Dales very speedy posting, she landed this morning.
Sure, it does mean taking off six more nuts while doing the valve lash job but I do that once a year so no big bother. I test ran getting the filter housing on and off and it works fine. The only thing that could be difficult would be taking the carb dome off the front carb. But again, once I finish my needlework then the domes will not be coming off several times a day. I gotta say, stiffer or not, I really like it!
Interesting comment about the techno toys ones - my Q5, A4 and old SW20 MR2 all have bars back to the firewall. Although not at the centre of the firewall, rather much closer to the welds on the sides.
Sure, it does mean taking off six more nuts while doing the valve lash job but I do that once a year so no big bother. I test ran getting the filter housing on and off and it works fine. The only thing that could be difficult would be taking the carb dome off the front carb. But again, once I finish my needlework then the domes will not be coming off several times a day. I gotta say, stiffer or not, I really like it!
Interesting comment about the techno toys ones - my Q5, A4 and old SW20 MR2 all have bars back to the firewall. Although not at the centre of the firewall, rather much closer to the welds on the sides.
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Awesome, looks great!
Glad it’s gone to a good home too
Thank you sir! I’m most grateful[emoji106][emoji106]
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
its one of the things that you would notice the change from. My beautiful old Nissan Almera GTI had them f+R as standard, back in 1999. I think at the time it was the only car below £75k that had them fitted from the factory. That thing was an amazing hoot.
Paul_S
Club Member
The 370Z has one that fits to the firewall too. The NISMO version also has additional strengthening from the main brace to those reaching back to the firewall. Lots of triangles!Thanks to Mr Dales ‘s very speedy posting, she landed this morning.
Sure, it does mean taking off six more nuts while doing the valve lash job but I do that once a year so no big bother. I test ran getting the filter housing on and off and it works fine. The only thing that could be difficult would be taking the carb dome off the front carb. But again, once I finish my needlework then the domes will not be coming off several times a day. I gotta say, stiffer or not, I really like it!
Interesting comment about the techno toys ones - my Q5, A4 and old SW20 MR2 all have bars back to the firewall. Although not at the centre of the firewall, rather much closer to the welds on the sides.
It would be interesting to loosen the braces and film the movement under hard cornering. Or do I need to get out more?
A 370z is so much stiffer than a 50 year old Datsun.
Ready for another contravertial comment? I don't think it makes the engine-bay look better. It might look more sporty but it breaks up the longitudinal line of the engine (bit like the plug leads do).
A 370z is so much stiffer than a 50 year old Datsun.
Ready for another contravertial comment? I don't think it makes the engine-bay look better. It might look more sporty but it breaks up the longitudinal line of the engine (bit like the plug leads do).
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I guess it’s all in the eye of the beholder Rob. To your point, the plug leads always reminded me of my teenage hair cut in the 80’s - a bit dishevelled and across my face!
Where our opinions diverge is that I actually always felt that part of the engine bay was somehow missing something but couldn’t quite put my finger on it until today. I actually really like the look of these braces and they are very chunky in the flesh. Having sound proofed they rear strut towers I was quite surprised how thin the metal is, so a rear one is likely to make an appearance soon.
I also particularly like the MSA rear strut brace as it’s simple and keeps the original tower caps. It will also stop my shopping from joining me at the front under heavy braking
Each to their own I guess.
I am liking Sean’s new collection though - it’s nice to have a European supply of these things. Especially as it made me go “ooooh!! Shinyyyyyyy!” and we know where he lives
Where our opinions diverge is that I actually always felt that part of the engine bay was somehow missing something but couldn’t quite put my finger on it until today. I actually really like the look of these braces and they are very chunky in the flesh. Having sound proofed they rear strut towers I was quite surprised how thin the metal is, so a rear one is likely to make an appearance soon.
I also particularly like the MSA rear strut brace as it’s simple and keeps the original tower caps. It will also stop my shopping from joining me at the front under heavy braking
Each to their own I guess.
I am liking Sean’s new collection though - it’s nice to have a European supply of these things. Especially as it made me go “ooooh!! Shinyyyyyyy!” and we know where he lives
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So would an Etype look better with a strut brace over those two cam covers?
One thing I think improves the appearance of a z engine bay is triples and open ram pipes.
One thing I think improves the appearance of a z engine bay is triples and open ram pipes.
Dale
Club Member
Bazzateer
Club Member
The XK engine in an E type is a work of art though, a strut brace would be like painting a line across the face of the Mona Lisa.
Totally agree with the looks of the triples.
Bazzateer
Club Member
Colour's all wrong Ali, you need to either spray the car to match the brace or spray the brace to match the car. Or better still, let me have it!Thanks to Mr Dales very speedy posting, she landed this morning.
Sure, it does mean taking off six more nuts while doing the valve lash job but I do that once a year so no big bother. I test ran getting the filter housing on and off and it works fine. The only thing that could be difficult would be taking the carb dome off the front carb. But again, once I finish my needlework then the domes will not be coming off several times a day. I gotta say, stiffer or not, I really like it!
Interesting comment about the techno toys ones - my Q5, A4 and old SW20 MR2 all have bars back to the firewall. Although not at the centre of the firewall, rather much closer to the welds on the sides.
The car is going light blue! [emoji106][emoji106][emoji1787]