SNAP

Graham

A test report on Whitelines website states there is sufficient difference with and without - weren't marketing the strut, rather the ARB etc. Perhaps subliminal marketing bling!

EVO - bolt link to subframe seems to makes sense.

Anyway, won't a strut fit with V8 TMIC - I thought it had one?

SNAP

All,

Last one today (ozzy, RB5, 911)!

My old turbo had a red "tube" across the inside cabin (front) bulkhead. I can't see it in the STi V (Dashboard area too closed up). Perhaps it's removed on STi's.

May be same on RB5's - being derivatives on UK versions?

911

You won't get a front top cross brace on a classic with an Sti v8 TMIC in place. Not on my car anyway!

To the rear:

If the rear top brace is triangulated to the boot floor then stiffness will be added. The brace need not be a massive structure either, just rigid.
A weld-in roll cage does a very effective job!

Triangulation is the important bit, and no braces i have seen triangulate as they do for EVO's.
They are then (IMHO) bling.(and add weight)

Graham

SNAP

Re Whiteline etc, I was referring to the front strut brace.

Rear: yes triangulations makes a lot of sense. But in the case of a straight pipe/rod: One can even imagine in mind's eye - if there is "perfect" lateral stretching, then it should help. But, can't see it helping under "compression" - if you see what I mean.

In your V3, have you seen the "pipe" under/across the dashboard I mentioned? Definitely had it in my old Turbo.

911

For the rear:

Under corner loading I think the strut towers will try to lean over, so trying to form a trapezium (sp) or diamond shape. Triangulation would resist this deformation.
Have to question if in a modern body shell the local distorsion is enough to be noticeable or have any pronounced effect to performance, especially on the road!

I'll have a look under the dash, but don't recal anything like you say, but scattered about these threads are pic od stripped out Imprezas. Will go and have a look.
Is this the tube that is always rusty?

Graham.

SNAP

Graham,

Tube:

Just to clarify, it ran from the door mirror level to the other side - redish colour (no rust!). I also remember seeing it in the old brochure (page where crash test etc was shown).

97 turbo had different dash layout, and if you opened the clove box you coud see it as well as all the vent cables etc!

Cheers

Carlos13

I have a Whiteline top strut brace on my MY99 and I have the STI 8 intercooler. They do come together sometimes when you corner hard - its weird, sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't. This is manifested as a very audible TAP-TAP-TAP-TAP noise. Don't know why it happens sometimes and not others. I will probably look to fit some foam between the two to stop it happening.

911

That is simply the engine twisting in it's mountings, so if you are trying in a bend, then the torque reaction from the engine as it is under power load, twists the engine so touching the TMIC against anything close enough.

Part of the reason I had no brace with the 'soft' Sti mountings (harderthan the UK/WRX mounts.

Graham

SNAP

[QUOTE=Welloilbeefhooked]

You seem to have disappeared - I am still keen to get the photos of the weld area. PM'd also.

Cheers

Welloilbeefhooked

iTrader: (3)

Dude, busy!!! Lol

Here are a couple of pics for you.

Here you can see the seem welding around the entire opening.



And here you can see the spot welds through the panel onto the orginal bar that I left in place.

Anders_WR1

iTrader: (8)

I was thinking of fitting one of these carbon braces. Do you think this will be stiff enough, or does it fall in to the cheapie category?

http://www.scoobyworld.co.uk/catalog...8a53aef811fa5e

Edited to say has anyone fitted one of these to stiffen up the lower rear of the chassis?

http://www.intakeone.com/Subaru_inta...arDiffuser.htm

jgevers

I haven't seen these in the flesh or tried them so I don't know. If it's cheap enough, give it a try. I would stay with the well known makes, that have a proven track record though.

Cheers

Anders_WR1

iTrader: (8)

I'll give them both a try in a couple of months, after I've had some headers from Harvey. I'll be fitting a front lower H-brace at the same time.

Cheers

Anders

SNAP

[QUOTE=Welloilbeefhooked]Dude, busy!!! Lol

Thanks! But I am confused now - I don't have any of this "armour plating" in my Boot - or that large fizzy drinks dispenser!

I assume this (blue plate) is something you retro-fitted?

Cheers

Welloilbeefhooked

iTrader: (3)

Yes, that the bit I welded in.

SNAP

Edited to say has anyone fitted one of these to stiffen up the lower rear of the chassis?

Anders,

Lower rear of the chassis? Please elaborate - I can't see how either item relates.

Anders_WR1

iTrader: (8)

Cusco do a lower rear brace the locks the rear subframe together:

http://www.intakeone.com/images/Cusco/diffu_bar.gif

I was assuming it would work in a similar way as their lower front brace:

http://www.japanparts.com/Pic/Pic010/112-012.JPG

The diffuser part is an add on that helps with aerodynamics and is available for the MY06 cars. From what i can see, Cusco added some mounting holes in their lower rear brace that lets you use the diffuser on a MY04/05 car.

Cheers

Anders

SNAP

Anders,

I am with you now - I had seen the front one, but not the rear. Front makes sense, when you consider all that "open" space. I may consider them (classic STi).

Cheers

ozzy

SNAP,

The solid rear bulkhead of the RB5 is simply the plastic backing and is in no way meant to strengthen or stiffen the chassis. The RB5 shares the same shell as any MY99/00 car. Only difference is the seats don't fold.

Stefan

jgevers

Whiteline have the rear subframe locking bolts (KSB750) that will lock the rear subframe to the chassis as well as centering the subframe. I use them on the STi7 and you notice quite a difference. Rear toe keeps in check rather than moving about with the rubber subframe mounts.

Cheers

ozzy

any downsides on a road car Job?

Increased noise, vibration, etc..?

SNAP

Stefan,

Totally agree, but Welloilbeefhooked has welded a steel plate in place (weight??). What the rest of us are considering is lower & upper structbraces (Cusco, Whiteline, etc).

Cheers

Welloilbeefhooked

iTrader: (3)

Stefan,

I thought it referred to the bar that is across the rear of the bulkhead?

jgevers

I thought it was going to be noisy, but there is hardly any difference!

Car is at AWD on Saturday. Come over and have a try if you want.


Cheers

SNAP

Car is at AWD on Saturday. Come over and have a try if you want.


Where is/are AWD and is it regional meeting? I might visit if it's in the southest region.

Cheers

jgevers

Slightly further north..................... Perth

typeRv4

I had the same thts - there is alot of metal in the rear. Also my type r comes with a sort of brace across the rear seats.

I installed and found the following - the car feels stiffer.

In a straight line. Ride quality has decreased a little - bumps feel a bit harder.

Round the corners - if u push hard u can feel the difference. I found with the brace i could slide the car more progressively. DCCD set full rear.

Maybe if u don't have hardish suspension and push in the corners u might not feel the same effects. Just what i have found.

I run tein SS - with tein pillows. Whiteline 22mm Arbs and links.

Used a Whiteline Rear Strut brace.