Do they make much difference to the handing and tighten the car up?

Is there really that much difference between cheap versions i.e - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Nissan-300ZX-Fairlady-Z32-Front-Strut-Brace-Bar_W0QQitemZ8061504100QQcategoryZ40192QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and the more expensive types? :confused:

Do they make much difference to the handing and tighten the car up?

Is there really that much difference between cheap versions i.e - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Nissan-300ZX-Fairlady-Z32-Front-Strut-Brace-Bar_W0QQitemZ8061504100QQcategoryZ40192QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and the more expensive types? :confused:

 

 

Hi Glenn,

 

In a word - YES. But only if you do both front and rear at the same time. If you only do one or the other then you're introducing what I call an imbalance to the handling of the car.

 

As for the cheap vs expensive types - again the answer is yes there is a difference between the two. All the cheap ones I've seen (and most are available on ebay) are not worth putting onto the car as it won't do anything to improve the handling. The basic principle behind strut braces is to keep the two strut towers equadistant from each other under heavy cornering and thus preventing them from moving independently of eachother. It's a bit difficult to explain what happens in words - it's easier to show on the car. Anyway, the cheap strut braces will flex themselves under cornering thus not doing anything to prevent the strut towers from moving. The more expensive ones (like Stillen and Carbin) are solid types and will not flex under load. I've been particularly pleased with my new Carbing front brace and can definitely feel the difference compared to what I used to have on (which wasn't cheap either).

 

So, if you (or anyone else for that matter) are interested in improving the handling of the car I strongly suggest installing a Carbing front strut brace and a Carbing/Stillen/Cusco rear strut brace.

 

HTH.

 

All the best,

 

Dan

Danny thanks very much for that very useful information, I've taken it on board and now a bit more saving is needed ;)

Danny thanks very much for that very useful information, I've taken it on board and now a bit more saving is needed ;)

 

I myself want to get a good front strut brace but was told there is only one that really fits properly as space under the bonnet is WAY tight. I think it is a cusco item that is S shaped and nestles nicely into the inlet manifold gaps. I believe it is no longer made and I also worried about the damage that might happen in an accident but they look cool.

 

Has anyone got one of these and if so know where I can get one now in 2006

pics and links always appreciated

Chris

Actually, there is more than one which fit correctly. I think the one you refer to is the Carbing one, which is kinda 'S' shaped. I have one of these, which are very tricky to get ahold of and only available here :-

http://www.tokyoauto.co.jp/

Actually, there is more than one which fit correctly. I think the one you refer to is the Carbing one, which is kinda 'S' shaped. I have one of these, which are very tricky to get ahold of and only available here :-

http://www.tokyoauto.co.jp/

 

Andy that is a sweet brace. I will search for the carbing one.......

 

Thanks for the link. I love looking at translated jap sites it is so amusing

 

Chris

I bought a cheap front and rear brace off ebay,looked nice but didn't fit.Binned the tower mounts and kept the ally brace bit.When i get chance going to fab up some more mounts (with thicker steel) so be warned if you can't weld.

Group buy on a decent set of strut braces !!??

Group buy on a decent set of strut braces !!??

 

Oooohh Nooooo - not more temptation :rofl: :D

my car has front and rear strut braces but ive got a question about the rear one.

 

Ive not idea on makes but it looks pretty solid to me, but it has like a 10 or 12mm bolt either end that looks like its in for adjustment or fitting? The strut brace isnt central though so is that a problem? Other thing is while i was doing stuff in my boot at the weekend (tidying up ice etc) i leant on it and the strut brace moved off the bolt on the passenger side. I pulled the brace up and the bolt was reseated but surly this cannot be correct?

 

Hopefully il get some pictures sorted (might be some in rides ?) bu any suggestions?

also worth bearing in mind if u have a braided fuel line kit then they might not fit

my car has front and rear strut braces but ive got a question about the rear one.

 

Ive not idea on makes but it looks pretty solid to me, but it has like a 10 or 12mm bolt either end that looks like its in for adjustment or fitting? The strut brace isnt central though so is that a problem? Other thing is while i was doing stuff in my boot at the weekend (tidying up ice etc) i leant on it and the strut brace moved off the bolt on the passenger side. I pulled the brace up and the bolt was reseated but surly this cannot be correct?

 

Hopefully il get some pictures sorted (might be some in rides ?) bu any suggestions?

 

 

Suppost to be solid. You'll have to look into it. If its the previous owners ice the he may have put it in for show?

.....cheap versions i.e - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Nissan-300ZX-Fairlady-Z32-Front-Strut-Brace-Bar_W0QQitemZ8061504100QQcategoryZ40192QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem...

 

That doesn't even look like it'll fit properly. It looks like some sort of front/back hybrid :confused: The strut mounts look very flimsy, with hardly any strength in them at all!

I like mine, although one like AndyP's or the Carbing one would be even better :cool:

 

The brace in the pic above will fit but (a) will most definitely foul on the underside of the bonnet and (b) is more for show than function.

 

With respect to organising a group buy on good quality strut braces - I'd be happy to organise that. I can get hold of Carbing (front/rear) as well as the TokyoAuto item (although this will take longer and is more expensive than the Carbing strut brace). When installing the Carbing front strut brace you will more than likely need to replace the throttle cable cover with a carbon fibre one which has two slots cut into it to accommodate the brace.

 

Let me know if there is sufficient interest in organising a GB.

 

I can't confirm the price of the TokyoAuto strut brace without first contacting them but the last one I imported and sold went for around £300 if memory serves me). For a Carbing strut brace you're looking at around £250 delivered (that's £250 for the front and £250 for the rear). If numbers are sufficient this price will drop to somewhere in the region of £210~£225 depending on numbers. Stillen rear strut braces are £165 delivered and this will come down if there are sufficient numbers.

 

Dan

Danny what about the ones on your website? are these ones functional or show?

 

DTA-Motorsport Strut Braces (front or rear) £75 each

Danny what about the ones on your website? are these ones functional or show?

 

DTA-Motorsport Strut Braces (front or rear) £75 each

 

They are functional however I can no longer get them through my original supplier as they have discontinued fabricating them. I have just a few left in stock at the moment.

 

They look similar to the one in the pic posted by daves_new_zx but the ones I have are made from solid aircraft grade aluminium as opposed to hollow/extruded aluminium of the ebay ones. Also, the strut supports on my braces are more solid than the ebay ones. Our strut braces were made by the factory that makes Cusco braces and are therefor of superior quality than the cheap knock-offs.

They are functional however I can no longer get them through my original supplier as they have discontinued fabricating them. I have just a few left in stock at the moment.

 

They look similar to the one in the pic posted by daves_new_zx but the ones I have are made from solid aircraft grade aluminium as opposed to hollow/extruded aluminium of the ebay ones. Also, the strut supports on my braces are more solid than the ebay ones. Our strut braces were made by the factory that makes Cusco braces and are therefor of superior quality than the cheap knock-offs.

 

Danny Hi

 

is there any other mods needed to under bonnet to get your DTA braces to fit ?

throttle cable cover etc etc ??

if not i will take a set of your DTA front rear braces mate

 

cheers

 

Steve

Danny Hi

 

is there any other mods needed to under bonnet to get your DTA braces to fit ?

throttle cable cover etc etc ??

if not i will take a set of your DTA front rear braces mate

 

cheers

 

Steve

 

In some cases, where the front bar fouls on the underside of the bonnet it is advisable to remove a small patch of the heat shield (I did this on my own car). Other than that it fits fine.

 

I'm not at home to check on stock but will do so later and let you know what I've still got.

 

ATB

 

Dan