Bracing advice please!

jumbosrule

jumbosrule

Fully FX Invested
Premium
Location
Redondo Beach, CA
Car
2003 FX35T
Name
Brad
Currently looking into bracing for my FX. Eventually I do plan to go FI, but for now I'm NA and modding all the systems one by one.

The GTSpec products seem to be popular here on the scene. I've also read up on Strong-Strut, which seems to have a pretty solid product, if not for the price. Stillen's is popular, but in terms of feeling - would I notice the difference between any of them?

Also - I car buddy of mine says I should install the front strut brace only after picking up the car so the wheels come off the ground. Doing the install this way will, "pre-load" the brace when the car is back on the ground, using the brace like a spring rather than a back-up structural member. I mention this because I haven't seen anybody talk about this and wonder again - would I be able to tell the difference in feel with the two different installation methods? Is there a right answer to this?

Thanks...
 
jumbosrule said:
Also - I car buddy of mine says I should install the front strut brace only after picking up the car so the wheels come off the ground. Doing the install this way will, "pre-load" the brace when the car is back on the ground, using the brace like a spring rather than a back-up structural member. I mention this because I haven't seen anybody talk about this and wonder again - would I be able to tell the difference in feel with the two different installation methods? Is there a right answer to this?

Thanks...
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Structurally speaking, the lateral (side) loads on the brace won't change during driving if you install it when picked it up or not. The STB is a strictly structural brace that prevents twisting and only compresses or gets under load during this time. Plus adding the STB like that might as well mess up your alignment since the tires won't be able to move back to their original positions..
 
In line with this same thread, do any of the GTSpec braces have interference with the Stillen exhaust? I'm RWD as well. I saw the thread about the entire GTSpec brace set (4 peices) being available. What would I have to mod to make all four work?
 
That's great info, thanks. So I can do the GT Spec lower tie and a sway bar with no mods to the exhaust.

I have been looking to buy and it's been tough. I could use help finding places that have the GT Spec braces in stock. Or any brand worth getting. Where is the best place to go?
 
I believe everyone on here has FX braces through the group buys from Z1. Some people have modified the Z braces to fit by extending them with extra metal.
 
jumbosrule said:
That's great info, thanks. So I can do the GT Spec lower tie and a sway bar with no mods to the exhaust.

I have been looking to buy and it's been tough. I could use help finding places that have the GT Spec braces in stock. Or any brand worth getting. Where is the best place to go?
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great product. Hard to find anywhere, since they are "Special' order only. No one else makes bracing for our cars.
I wish Cusco would do something, but would be much more $$.
 
Well I found a place and the order has been confirmed... will update if anything goes down that is not expected...

GT Spec Front 4pt Ladder Brace for 04+ Infiniti FX35/FX45
SKU: GTS-SUS-1321 $211.03
GT Spec Front Lower Engine Tie Brace for 04+ Infiniti FX35/FX45
SKU: GTS-SUS-1324 $219.49
GT Spec Rear Lower Tie Brace for 04+ Infiniti FX35/FX45
SKU: GTS-SUS-1317 $84.32
GT Spec Front Strut Bar for 04+ Infiniti FX35/FX45
SKU: GTS-SUS-1323 $182.25

I did not get the lower lateral brace due to the interference with the Stillen exhaust. If I just gotta have it later, I'll mod the exhaust.
 
If you bought those from the guys at upscale auto you are going to be very dissappointed. i was in contact with them 5 times over the course of 3 days to make absolutely certain that they had that strut tower brace in stock and would ship within a few days of sending payment. they kept saying yes, yes, yes, and just as i was about to pull the trigger i get the call they they actually DON'T have any in stock. not sure about the status of the others, but wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have anything at all.
 
I just got a confirmation email from upscale auto - the braces should be arriving to them on 03/12/09, then will ship to those who have orders. I requested confirmation of the delivery to them again, of course. Will update as I have news...
 
I'd be very skeptical on this due to the limited parts being made, & also by special order.
have you spoken directly with them? Do they have a similar relationship with GTSPEC that Z1 has?
 
The timing on this is too funny. I just now got a call from upscale auto. Some dude named Yohan. He tells me he just got off the phone with GT Spec and they tell him the braces will be ready on 03/20/09, and that he can drop ship them to me at that time (direct from GT Spec). I already paid via paypal, so I'm just along for the ride here. I can cancel my order any time, so I'm staying positive on this. I hear all you guys on being skeptical, but I'm really psyched to pick up this set of braces and right now that feeling is winning.:biggrin:
 
Just had to add this in. I also talked to the Strong-Strut guys about finding one of their strut-tower bar. They said they couldn't drum up enough interest at the pricepoint they were asking. His words were, "people didn't want to pay for a rolex when they could pay for a timex". I didn't laugh at him on the phone.

He said he'd do a minimum order of 6 for $350 each if there was interest for a group buy. Otherwise, they are not making anymore, even though the site implies they have them. And the "Rolex" bites the dust...
 
EDO performance emailed back as well - they can have the full set of braces by the end of the month - I guess GT Spec is chugging out another fab run...

Testing the flex in the strut tower bar would be relatively easy to do. Of course, you would want to test the flex of several on one car to have accurate relative measurements. Without finite element analysis (stress/strain) it would be tough to know they all perform similarly.

People on the forum mention they like the feel after installation and I imagine no matter what brand you buy, you'll notice that difference.
 
jumbosrule said:
The timing on this is too funny. I just now got a call from upscale auto. Some dude named Yohan.
Click to expand...

Don't Mess with Yohan!
zohan.jpg

---------- Post added at 09:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:11 PM ----------
gto said:
ya ya ya . . an STB is an STB.
Click to expand...

+1...
Get Stillen
or
Get GT-Spec
or
Get Strong (but fckin unnecessarily expensive, up yo a$$) Strut
or
Get GT-Spec, carbon wrap it
or
Get UTR dry carbon (some guy was selling at the .org)
or
.
.
.
.
.
.
.


A strut is a strut. There won't be any significant difference whether you load it or wrap it or it has pivot ends or it's made of alien metals or anything unless you're going with a 4 point strut (which won't fit FX) like the one in 370Z:
zele-z-radiatorshroud-002.jpg


Get an affordable or good looking (or both = GTSpec) Strut brace and combine it with other braces.. THAT will give you the difference.. Not the two-point strut itself..
 

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