I have just bought ohlins adjustable suspension for my z with som blitz proggresive springs and now i am thinkinking about buying some strut bars but i just wanted to know if they would make a noticable difference?? All help appreciated. :bow: :bow:

I think yellazed has made some very good points.

worms is what i meant :wack:

 

 

Yes this often happens when someone is trying to be helpful, the guy seems to know what he is talking about. He is not benefiting from supplying this information, so unless he works for “Carbing” this information should be treated with some value.

 

You do get what you pay for, well most of the time. You want high performance? You pay high prices.

Yes this often happens when someone is trying to be helpful, the guy seems to know what he is talking about. He is not benefiting from supplying this information, so unless he works for “Carbing” this information should be treated with some value.

You do get what you pay for, well most of the time. You want high performance? You pay high prices.

Ah no no i wasn't having a go at Yellazed, agreed he does know what he's talking about and agreed there are some very valid and constructive points, the comment i was refering to was

What is disappointing is that such things are being offered for sale by fellow members as functioning struts, when in fact they are purely decorative.

but then again he may be right.

Ah no no i wasn't having a go at Yellazed, agreed he does know what he's talking about and agreed there are some very valid and constructive points, the comment i was refering to was

 

but then again he may be right.

 

Please understand that “fellow members” generally offer several similar products, budget and premium or alike. It is up to the consumer to decide what he/she really wants. If 2 similar products differ greatly in price, it is usually down to quality and brand.

 

Not everyone can afford the premium brands so make do with lesser products. As long as the consumer is not misled in anyway, everyone’s a winner :)

Please understand that “fellow members” generally offer several similar products, budget and premium or alike. It is up to the consumer to decide what he/she really wants. If 2 similar products differ greatly in price, it is usually down to quality and brand.

 

Not everyone can afford the premium brands so make do with lesser products. As long as the consumer is not misled in anyway, everyone’s a winner :)

Absolutely.... if they seller gets what they want and the buyer is happy for what s/he got for their money then no-one is being ripped off. However i believe that "only a rich man can afford to buy cheap" as cheap parts will be more likely to fail more often that expensive parts.

Absolutely.... if they seller gets what they want and the buyer is happy for what s/he got for their money then no-one is being ripped off. However i believe that "only a rich man can afford to buy cheap" as cheap parts will be more likely to fail more often that expensive parts.

 

Words of wisdom ;)

You ever bought an alba stereo? QED

You ever bought an alba stereo? QED

 

;) LOL!

 

 

 

Our Ozzy friend does indeed bring up some valid points regarding structural rigidity of the e-bay style strut braces.

 

However, I assure you that the braces, as sold by DTA-Motorsport, are NOT off e-bay nor are they identical. The braces I sell are made in Taiwan by the same factory that makes the Cusco braces (Smithy is right - Cusco do not do a front brace for the Z32).

 

If it was just for "bling" I would state so in my promotional material. Truth of the matter is that the bars I sell are of a solid construction and, as opposed to the earlier (rectangular) models, are much more rigid. Unless you're taking corners on a track at 135mph these strut braces will not bend. If you're doing such track driven then I would always advice premium strut braces in conjunction with uprated anti-sway bars and suspension setup.

 

The way cornering forces act upon the suspension towers will cause the towers to move independently of each other. The purpose of the strut brace is to prevent this from happening and keep the strut towers at equal distances from each other. The struts I sell do this job as witnessed by myself and many of my clients who clearly notice a handling difference after installation.

 

Yes, these braces are perhaps classed as "budget" but the alternative (which isn't all that much better) is at least twice the price per bar if not more. Yes, Carbing struts are the creme de la creme but they are also impossible to obtain. Carbing is made by a tiny company in Japan with about 8 staff. They make roughly 25 braces for the Z32 per year, all of which are already sold by dealers around the world.

 

I hope that the points made above go some way towards explaining the functionality of the product that l sell and also to repairing some of the damage Yellazed's comments have made to my reputation (have had several clients phone up asking if I sold them rubbish ... Thanks!)

 

All the best!

 

Dan

;) LOL!

 

 

 

Our Ozzy friend does indeed bring up some valid points regarding structural rigidity of the e-bay style strut braces.

 

However, I assure you that the braces, as sold by DTA-Motorsport, are NOT off e-bay nor are they identical. The braces I sell are made in Taiwan by the same factory that makes the Cusco braces (Smithy is right - Cusco do not do a front brace for the Z32).

 

If it was just for "bling" I would state so in my promotional material. Truth of the matter is that the bars I sell are of a solid construction and, as opposed to the earlier (rectangular) models, are much more rigid. Unless you're taking corners on a track at 135mph these strut braces will not bend. If you're doing such track driven then I would always advice premium strut braces in conjunction with uprated anti-sway bars and suspension setup.

 

The way cornering forces act upon the suspension towers will cause the towers to move independently of each other. The purpose of the strut brace is to prevent this from happening and keep the strut towers at equal distances from each other. The struts I sell do this job as witnessed by myself and many of my clients who clearly notice a handling difference after installation.

 

Yes, these braces are perhaps classed as "budget" but the alternative (which isn't all that much better) is at least twice the price per bar if not more. Yes, Carbing struts are the creme de la creme but they are also impossible to obtain. Carbing is made by a tiny company in Japan with about 8 staff. They make roughly 25 braces for the Z32 per year, all of which are already sold by dealers around the world.

 

I hope that the points made above go some way towards explaining the functionality of the product that l sell and also to repairing some of the damage Yellazed's comments have made to my reputation (have had several clients phone up asking if I sold them rubbish ... Thanks!)

 

All the best!

 

Dan

Cheers Dan, I thought they would be good if they came from you. I had my doubts for a second but i am glad you posted this reply :duffer:

;) LOL!

 

 

 

Our Ozzy friend does indeed bring up some valid points regarding structural rigidity of the e-bay style strut braces.

 

However, I assure you that the braces, as sold by DTA-Motorsport, are NOT off e-bay nor are they identical. The braces I sell are made in Taiwan by the same factory that makes the Cusco braces (Smithy is right - Cusco do not do a front brace for the Z32).

 

If it was just for "bling" I would state so in my promotional material. Truth of the matter is that the bars I sell are of a solid construction and, as opposed to the earlier (rectangular) models, are much more rigid. Unless you're taking corners on a track at 135mph these strut braces will not bend. If you're doing such track driven then I would always advice premium strut braces in conjunction with uprated anti-sway bars and suspension setup.

 

The way cornering forces act upon the suspension towers will cause the towers to move independently of each other. The purpose of the strut brace is to prevent this from happening and keep the strut towers at equal distances from each other. The struts I sell do this job as witnessed by myself and many of my clients who clearly notice a handling difference after installation.

 

Yes, these braces are perhaps classed as "budget" but the alternative (which isn't all that much better) is at least twice the price per bar if not more. Yes, Carbing struts are the creme de la creme but they are also impossible to obtain. Carbing is made by a tiny company in Japan with about 8 staff. They make roughly 25 braces for the Z32 per year, all of which are already sold by dealers around the world.

 

I hope that the points made above go some way towards explaining the functionality of the product that l sell and also to repairing some of the damage Yellazed's comments have made to my reputation (have had several clients phone up asking if I sold them rubbish ... Thanks!)

 

All the best!

 

Dan

 

Sorry Danny, I may have confused your quality product:

 

with this one - $5 on e-bay:

 

or this one - $6 on e-bay:

 

or this one - $8

 

Not identical. You have to admit though, there is an uncanny resemblance. Particularly 'Toys Auto' and 'F1 Sports'. One could be forgiven for thinking they all came out of the one Chinese factory. Please feel free to point out how the design of your bar differs.

 

If you are complaining about the "damage" I have done by pointing out this uncanny resemblance, I suggest you direct your complaints towards the manufacturers of these poor quality 'look-alikes' that sell so cheaply. Then again, I don't know how much you sell yours for. Maybe a similar price.

 

You will recall that I said that members should steer clear of such devices if they are expecting any handling improvements. I think you agree.

 

If they are not engineers they may not identify the inherent design weakness. But, provided they know up front that the struts are more decorative than functional, no harm done. One way for them to know that is by the price. As I said, I don't know what price you sell your bars for, but I imagine it would fairly low, thus helping a discerning buyer to make a judgement.

 

But then you say, if they were only "bling" you would say so in your advertising material. I am sure you would.

 

BTW - I have no association with Carbing (Okuyama) nor any other commercial enterprise associated with the motor industry.

 

I simply used that bar as an example of a properly engineered product. You may wish to compare it with the above examples for yourself:

 

A point worth noting - total absence of bolts. On all the cheap bars shown above, the bolts can act as hinges. Where is the strength in that?

 

Sorry, but I stand by my criticism.

 

Your "Ozzy friend"

Danny:

 

Any comment to offer on the points of difference between your bars and F1 or Toys Auto?

 

We need to clear it up for the benefit of your clients who may have been confused by my comments.

Sorry Danny, I may have confused your quality product:

 

Not identical. You have to admit though, there is an uncanny resemblance. Particularly 'Toys Auto' and 'F1 Sports'. One could be forgiven for thinking they all came out of the one Chinese factory. Please feel free to point out how the design of your bar differs.

 

I have to agree with the photographic evidence you have provided above. The resemblance is "uncanny" indeed! I have bought a pair of the "Auto-Toys" bars about a year ago and can in fact confirm that the ones I sell are about twice the weight. They are also made from a different material than the ones I got off e-bay. Like I said before, the bars are solid and I cannot (using brute force) bend the bars myself. Granted, cornering forces by far exceed force induced by me. The e-bay bar I can bend. I have spoken to the manufacturer of the bars (the ones I sell) and the person I spoke with confirmed that they produce several "lines" of these strut braces. He wouldn't go into the differences but said there were budget versions and premium versions, as supplied to Cusco. For the price I pay them per set I must assume they are selling me the "premium" version. Incidentally, I sell the bars for £75 each or £140 per pair.

 

If you are complaining about the "damage" I have done by pointing out this uncanny resemblance, I suggest you direct your complaints towards the manufacturers of these poor quality 'look-alikes' that sell so cheaply. Then again, I don't know how much you sell yours for. Maybe a similar price.

 

I wasn't complaining about any damage your comments may have caused. I think it is good that somebody offers a critical appraisal of products. All customers who have contacted me over this issue have now been satisfied with the answers I have provided - so there is no problem there. I apologise if you thought I was making an unfair accusation. Funny thing about this kind of publicity (which can be seen as "negative" as opposed to a glowing product review being "positive" publicity) is that I've sold 5 pair of these strut braces since earlier this week! I should send you a commission! LOL ;)

 

You will recall that I said that members should steer clear of such devices if they are expecting any handling improvements. I think you agree.

 

Yes, I agree with this statement. I do always point out the cheap e-bay alternatives available to my customers. I also explain that such items are primarily for show purposes and may not be as functional as my own products.

 

But then you say, if they were only "bling" you would say so in your advertising material. I am sure you would.

 

Yes I would and have done so with various other products I sell.

 

I simply used that bar [Carbing] as an example of a properly engineered product. You may wish to compare it with the above examples for yourself:

 

A point worth noting - total absence of bolts. On all the cheap bars shown above, the bolts can act as hinges. Where is the strength in that?

 

I completely agree with the fact that Carbing bars are the best engineered bars you can (or cannot as the case may be) buy today. If I had the money I would put these on my car as well. If I could get Carbing/Okuyama to produce more then I would gladly buy and sell them.

 

As for the bolts - yes, they are a design weakness. However, not as much as you would think. The way the latteral forces act on the bar (and therefore the bolts) is such that if the bar is properly fixed to the support tower there will be no movement (the bolts on the bars I sell are very tight fitting). In my opinion the main design flaw are the support towers. These are simply not solid enough for track day driving (they are ok for normal driving conditions). I would like to see the manufacturer design stronger supports (something I have asked them to do).

 

On a related note - we [DTA (UK)] are currently in the process of designing a far superior strutbrace. One which will rival the strength and engineering of the Carbing bars. The desing has been completed and I am now looking for a company who is able to make a mould for the carbon fibre bits. The supports will be manufactured from ally and "joined" to the c/f bar without the use of bolts. The finished product is still quite some time off from being commercially available but progress is being made.

 

Sorry, but I stand by my criticism.

 

Your "Ozzy friend"

 

I'm glad you do! - it is refreshing to be dealing with someone who in confident in what he/she is saying. There are far too many people who's opinions are swayed by what others say ... By the way, I didn't mean "ozzy friend" to be sarcastic - I don't know your name so that seemed most reasonable. I apologise if I offended you.

 

All the best,

 

Dan