Do Fender braces work?
Evolving Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 2
From: Europe
60'000+ miles with the IX on the road & I have never considered changing the stock suspensions, all the "boat-y" feeling was gone from the car after a few mods
simply said fender braces makes your front suspensions work better meaning better turn-in braking corner stability etc....
for the road it's all you can need and possibly way better/safer than stiffer suspensions
- fender braces
- Perrin PSRS
- Cusco Rear OS Strut Bar
- Cusco Rear OS V-brace
steering is very direct and precise and I can't find a fault in the chassis on the road, maybe Sébastien loeb would but I'm not that quick lol
simply said fender braces makes your front suspensions work better meaning better turn-in braking corner stability etc....
for the road it's all you can need and possibly way better/safer than stiffer suspensions
- fender braces
- Perrin PSRS
- Cusco Rear OS Strut Bar
- Cusco Rear OS V-brace
steering is very direct and precise and I can't find a fault in the chassis on the road, maybe Sébastien loeb would but I'm not that quick lol
Last edited by Kakihara; Sep 24, 2012 at 07:35 AM.
Im not buying it. IMO, these braces might be something to consider after you have done all the other suspension bolt-ons
The only way I would be convinced is if someone attached a strain gauge to the OEM braces showing there is flex & then measurements w/ the brace installed showing a marked improvement
The only way I would be convinced is if someone attached a strain gauge to the OEM braces showing there is flex & then measurements w/ the brace installed showing a marked improvement
Im not buying it. IMO, these braces might be something to consider after you have done all the other suspension bolt-ons
The only way I would be convinced is if someone attached a strain gauge to the OEM braces showing there is flex & then measurements w/ the brace installed showing a marked improvement
The only way I would be convinced is if someone attached a strain gauge to the OEM braces showing there is flex & then measurements w/ the brace installed showing a marked improvement
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: 310
Im not buying it. IMO, these braces might be something to consider after you have done all the other suspension bolt-ons
The only way I would be convinced is if someone attached a strain gauge to the OEM braces showing there is flex & then measurements w/ the brace installed showing a marked improvement
The only way I would be convinced is if someone attached a strain gauge to the OEM braces showing there is flex & then measurements w/ the brace installed showing a marked improvement
There's a lot of load going through those strut towers.
The Nagisa brace is well designed. Robert from Robispec told me that this mod stiffens and improves the car as much as the front roll center kit benefits suspension geometry. I had absolutely no problems with tire rub. It was far from the tire. The hole was pretty easy to drill with titanium coated drill bits. If you are buying this mod, line everything up and drill the hole AFTER you have lowered the car back onto the ground and jumped on the door step area a few times to get the car settled. My buddy didn't do this (they don't tell you in the instructions)...he drilled/bolted everything with the car jacked up, so when he set it down, the door wasn't closing correctly. That alone proves that the front end of the car does twist and flex.
In terms of user-felt improvement, it's hard to notice anything improved. However, I can theorize that if the car is stiffer, your alignment specs won't get as skewed when you're on the tracks taking turns.
In terms of user-felt improvement, it's hard to notice anything improved. However, I can theorize that if the car is stiffer, your alignment specs won't get as skewed when you're on the tracks taking turns.
Yeah, it's good to understand the impact of mods on classing if you're racing competitively. The vast majority of people here have DD's though.
The fact that rules have been written identifying chassis bracing as a competitive advantage suggest that, well, it's a competitive advantage...
The fact that rules have been written identifying chassis bracing as a competitive advantage suggest that, well, it's a competitive advantage...
Yeah, it's good to understand the impact of mods on classing if you're racing competitively. The vast majority of people here have DD's though.
The fact that rules have been written identifying chassis bracing as a competitive advantage suggest that, well, it's a competitive advantage...
The fact that rules have been written identifying chassis bracing as a competitive advantage suggest that, well, it's a competitive advantage...
check your rules buddy! cars that come with 3pt strut bars can replace with any 3pt bar now.
I think thats always been the case, Im talking about the cars that dont have em from the factory. You cant add a 3-point to a 2g DSM for example. Even if its a simple bolt on, its still a chassis stiffener so not allowed. I *****ed for years about it, but chassis mods are one thing the rule makers are holding strong on.
From my experience, I bought the Ebay immitation Nagisa fender brace (to save money. Yes, I know, they're a little heavier, but half the price). I immediately noticed more predictable turn in when cornering. It didn't handle any better, but it felt like it did just because I could predict it better (if that makes sense). I'd say your best mods for handling would be front and rear sway bars/rear diff plates (there's tons of other threads for that--ask Smike! LOL). I've done several strut bar/reinforcement bars, and I've noticed better predictability and less chassis flex. It makes the chassis more rigid and even if the difference is small, it's still noticeable and enjoyable to drive, even for a DD. Hell, if you're gonna drive it, might as well have fun with it, right? I hope that helps.