Front Strut Brace Question

DaleZ · Postby **DaleZ** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:53 pm

my own opinion, i had my cusco put in..... i agreed with the weight bit... the cusco weighted only 1/3 of the factory strut from my NB8B..... the cusco also comes in as one piece rather than some less expensive ones that are put together in many pieces... if u ask me does it make any difference... honestly, i haven't notice anything after the cusco are put in..... more for decorating the car....

philz · Postby **philz** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:12 pm

$250 paperweight

wun911 · Postby **wun911** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 5:18 pm

The NB8B brace weighs a ton compared to aluminum ones, Im tempted to weld it together and remove the four bolts that hold the top of the bar inplace anyone done it?

marcusus · Postby **marcusus** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 7:26 pm

Funny that everyone reckons they don't do squat. I found that with the factory NB one in mine, I could take corners a fair bit harder. I'm sure it reduces the car flexing when in a corner. If I was to hazard a guess, I'd say it helps with keeping traction since it keeps the wheels a bit more planted on the road.

Perhaps the added weight of the factory one actually has a purpose.

philz · Postby **philz** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 7:33 pm

marcusus wrote:Funny that everyone reckons they don't do squat. I found that with the factory NB one in mine, I could take corners a fair bit harder. I'm sure it reduces the car flexing when in a corner. If I was to hazard a guess, I'd say it helps with keeping traction since it keeps the wheels a bit more planted on the road.

Perhaps the added weight of the factory one actually has a purpose.

Sure they do work, when I put my Carbing Strut brace it felt much stiffer up front, and reduced oversteer, but unless you track quite a bit, they are just a paperweight for daily driving.

marcusus · Postby **marcusus** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:52 pm

philz wrote:Sure they do work, when I put my Carbing Strut brace it felt much stiffer up front, and reduced oversteer, but unless you track quite a bit, they are just a paperweight for daily driving.

I suppose it depends on your driving style. I found it quite useful for daily driving. If anything improves the handling of the car, it can't be bad for your daily commutes.

sliq · Postby **sliq** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:47 pm

yes, there's no way it can affect daily commutes, unless you want to argue that it is added weight and you lose approximately 1km of fuel.

i've tried removing mine and driving around with it off, it doesn't seem to have any significant benefits to having it on, unless you take corners about 70km/h.

hammer, i think i'd put all my money on a quality strut bar.. like the carbing, rs aizawa or beatrush.. might as well get it right and spend the few $$$ more instead of having a flimsy one.

prince of liteness · Postby **prince of liteness** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:01 pm

Interesting...

DO you get the same effect in terms of handeling with a thicker front sway bar ie less flex more planted around corners etc?

If you were in the OP's shoes and had only $200 bucks which would you rather go for a thicker sway or front strut brace?

MX5A · Postby **MX5A** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:03 am

Hi Hammer,

Purchased the N-Power brace about a week ago and have been driving with it for the past 5 days. Make quality is good, design poor, hence not as stiff as expected. Primarily purchased to stiffen front end and improve the ride (live in an area with lots of small speed humps).

I drive a 89 and my primary concern was weight. Agree with all other posts - If you can afford a better strut it will be worth the investment.

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:41 pm

Thanks for all the advise.

As a result, I've decided to go for the Cusco Type OS Strut Bar instead. It is available from MX5 Mania for $235, and according to their website, only weighs 1.75kgs.

marcusus · Postby **marcusus** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:59 pm

^^^
For that price I'd go an OEM one that doesn't have any joins. Mine cost me $200 from Mania, and is definitely quite rigid.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:11 pm

Hammer wrote:Thanks for all the advise.

As a result, I've decided to go for the Cusco Type OS Strut Bar instead. It is available from MX5 Mania for $235, and according to their website, only weighs 1.75kgs.

good boy

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:13 pm

marcusus wrote:^^^
For that price I'd go an OEM one that doesn't have any joins. Mine cost me $200 from Mania, and is definitely quite rigid.

Which OEM are you referring to? 'Coz both the SP and SE came with front strut that have joints. They're essentially in 3 pieces, just like the Cusco.

SP

Matty's SE photo

grump · Postby **grump** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:55 pm

the OEM ones have the force spread evenly over the 2 damper ( hows that Andrew ) mounting bolts ,whereas the Cusco one has the force favouring the back bolt, which will create a twisting moment on the brace mounts ,which won't be that effective. But hell!!, I've been known to be wrong in the past.