I had the Cusco centre underbraces on my car (Type 1 lower front centre crossbar and the 5 point centre underbrace) but unfortunately when driving in a parking lot (actually a construction site) I reversed over an exposed piece of pipe that was inexplicably sticking up from the ground (???yeah I know???). The impact was basically all on the 5 point brace - tore the 5 point cusco underbrace apart and bent the mounting points on the front subframe.

Tried mounting a replacement underbrace but no luck - the screws just don't line up or thread into the subframe properly so I'm stuck underbraceless until I can get a new subframe, although I still have the type 1 cusco underbrace brace that survived unscathed.

I'm assuing I'll lose some rigidity while running braceless but what really concerns me is that I run wide rubber (285s) and do autoX/HPDEs.

So I'm wondering if being stuck underbraceless is a big deal or not. Just how essential is that lower bracing and does anyone think I'd risking damaging any suspension components (bushings etc.) from NOT running it?

Curious to see if I'll notice it when I pick my car up from the shop tomorrow - I imagine that the benefits of lower bracing would be barely noticable under normal driving conditions but I'm curious (and a bit worried even) about what the effects might be if I track the car or drive aggresively.

So - crisis or not? Are underbraces highly overrated? Worth limiting myself until I get a new front subframe? Any idea on what ill effects I might notice in teh handling of the car?

Just curious to hear peoples' opinions. I could have sworn that the underbraces didn't make thaaaat big of a difference over the cheap stock pieces but then again tracking the car has a way of changing everything.

Cheers to anyone who has good feedback.

 

i drove around for alittle while without one of the stock underbraces and could not tell the difference. in a race situation i cant be sure if thats the case.
i would be concerned about damage to the subframe more than just screws not fitting properly, could mean that there is more damage.

 

Hmm...seems I have a little less steering response and more understeer. Could adjust my suspension a bit but I think I'm gonna have to get a new front subframe ASAP! Bummer!

 

Yep - few days later here's the verdict - number on-centre steering feel and noticeably slower transient response. That's it!

Still going to get it fixed ASAP though. Guess those centre braces do work!

 

Good to hear some feedback on the lower braces.

 

I've been running without the front brace due to the AMS downpipe and I feel the car is a little more loose and can feel unsettled on uneven pavement.