GTSPEC + Nismo brace for 2nd Gen 2009+ FX

[nima]

I bought both of the braces off eBay and will be installing them soon, and I'll post details on that. Just wanted to start this thread and show the details of the purchase so far.

I've never seen Nismo make any braces for this vehicle, so I'm a bit skeptical. So I will be test fitting it before it heads to powder coating like I did with the GTSPEC rear lateral brace. The Nismo brace does have a solid feel and good weight to it, but the weld quality was not the cleanest throughout compared to the welds of GTSPEC although it still looks pretty good. Was also impressed by the clarity of the etched Infiniti logo.



///11577[/ATTACH]///11578[/ATTACH]///11579[/ATTACH]///11580[/ATTACH]///11581[/ATTACH]

 

[nima]

Reserving for post install pics and details.

 

[Themechanic]

The brace looks great! I wonder if the engine covers have to be eliminated to use it.

 

[ichiroll]

may I ask where/who you bought them?

I've been looking to purchase the GTSPEC stuff and have had no luck...

 

[JohnnyFX]

If its fits without removing the top cover I'd be interested myself...when you get a chance please post a link cause eBay don't have any...

 

[fxlr8]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/08-15-FX35-...ash=item1c5b7e29a7:g:RbcAAOSwYHxWIbmC&vxp=mtr

 

[jbaker1121]

You can use the STB with the engine cover on top of it.

also, do not take offense, but those are NOT genuine GTSPEC.... not that it is a big deal.

but I do not think that strut tower brace is genuine GTSPEC.
The part that bolts in is shaped differently than the GTSPEC ones.
The parts where the bar goes into it should have a GTSPEC stamp,above where the bolt slides through,
and I dont think GTSpec ever offered a version that had the infiniti logo on the bar, and no GTSPEC stamp.

(There are a few companies now that offer them that are not branded GTSPEC braces, like CARFIELD in the ebay link, but I think they are just copies)

The same goes for the rear lower tie (?) bar - I am not sure Nismo actually made one, it may just be one from the GTSPEC factory, or copy, that a seller is branding as NISMO...

The "Carfield" guys are on the Facebook group for infinitiscene and are likely selling stuff from the same factory, or a copied version, but technically it is not GTSpec. You can even see that in the ebay picture they took a picture of the GTSPEC one and drew over the GTSPEC logo with grey in MSpaint....

If I were you guys I would stick with genuine GTSPEC, but these may just be from same factory and not just a copy. Would need to put them side-by-side to see.


notice the shape of the part that bolts in, squared off on mine - rounded on yours. and the welds.



the stamp part, look where the bolt slides through it




I don't think it makes much of a difference, but I figured you should be aware that those do not seem to be genuine GTSPEC..... they are a Chinese copy. (not being derogatory, they are literally Chinese as the carfield seller is Chinese)

I personally wouldn't trust them, but for general road use I am sure it is fine. Those bases don't look that sturdy compared to the legit ones...

here is my DIY to install a STB on a 2nd gen: https://www.infinitiscene.com/searc...t-Tower-Brace-(STB)-on-a-2009-FX50-time-1-2hr

 

[gto]

Like he said. Chinese knockoff

 

[GEE50FX]

Well I just want to say my GTSpec front strut bar was a piece of crap and the mounting plates would not sit down flat when bolted down and I could not get a full nut on the strut bolts when fastening down the mounting bolts. I tossed mine in the corner and it's next home will be the dump. So this bar cannot be much worse than the GTSpec bar I purchased for my previous 09 FX35.

 

[fxlr8]

Really, none of these bars are more than just decoration, if they do anything at all. GTspec included. Since they all have a single bolt that holds the bar onto the mounts.

 

[nima]

I think everyone just butchered my post and came to their own conclusion LOL no offense taken, had a good laugh though I'm not sure what everyone is on about.. read my post again!!!

The front strut tower brace is NOT GTSPEC, I never said it is! Its made by I don't know who, very possibly the same people that Jordan pointed out, it doesn't seem so bad either specially for road use. I'm hoping to test fit it by the end of the weekend.

I bought the rear lateral brace from an individual, not a company, who had bought it for his FX but got rid of the car before installing it. The brace came in the complete GTSPEC packaging with the receipt and the etching on the bar.

@Jordan, thanks for your DIY, I'll be using that soon!

 

[GEE50FX]

Really, none of these bars are more than just decoration, if they do anything at all. GTspec included. Since they all have a single bolt that holds the bar onto the mounts.

I agree,

Nima , look forward to your test fit.

 

[Vietnguyentx]

So do you think carfield is good or ok to buy??

Sent from my LG-D851

 

[jbaker1121]

Hi Nima, I just went by the title of the thread that says "GTSPEC + Nismo brace"

No offense meant, but like I said, it may be a knockoff/off brand but it's not a huge deal, I'd just be worried the welding Isnt as great and may detach.

The rear tie is probably just a cusco/gtspec/crutchfield that they claim is a Nismo to be more "Nissan racing" cool

I spoke with the car field guy on the Facebook page and he claims it's made in the same factory as Cusco/GTSPEC.

GEEFX50 I'm surprised you had that issue with GTSPEC as their stuff is usually good quality. This may be a dumb question but did you fasten down the mounting plates before you put the bar on, or did you put the bar on the plates first then fasten down the plates? If you did the latter it may be that the tension of the bar was preventing you from mounting it flush.


Tl;dr:

CHECKED WITH CARFIELD, CLAIM MADE IN SAME FACTORY AS GTSPEC/CUSCO though design is a little different for mounting plates.

but if i were you I'd spend the extra few bucks for the GTSPEC as the welding quality on the mounting plates seems much better.

 

[GEE50FX]

GEEFX50 I'm surprised you had that issue with GTSPEC as their stuff is usually good quality. This may be a dumb question but did you fasten down the mounting plates before you put the bar on, or did you put the bar on the plates first then fasten down the plates? If you did the latter it may be that the tension of the bar was preventing you from mounting it flush.

Jordan I posted the problem a few years ago with pics, and I did install it correctly, I have a few trades under my belt, a tool & diemaker, industrial millwright, and also a machinist/fitter, so yes I did do it properly. The problem was a raised boss on the inner fender that interfered with the mounting plate seating properly and not allowing the strut nuts to get full engagement.

I apoligize Nima for butting in on your thread, but I think it pays to check all of these things and to know about them.

 

[nima]

but if i were you I'd spend the extra few bucks for the GTSPEC as the welding quality on the mounting plates seems much better.

I would too, believe me. But unfortunately GTSPEC does not make any braces for our cars anymore. Last time I called (2 months ago) they said they might go back to producing the braces for 2nd gen FX starting in November, but that sounded more like an answer to get me off the phone. I'll call them up in a couple weeks to find out if they have changed their mind.

In the mean time I might re-weld the mounts after sand blasting'em, we'll see.. All that depends on if it actually fits as it is. Will report back.

 

[wyatth]

Thanks for the post! Looking forward to hear about fitment.

Looks clean enough. Funny to hear this is a "Chinese knockoff" when GT Spec isn't top tier stuff either (and made in Malaysia, not exactly a step ahead of China), so this could be just as good. Problem, though, is that GT Spec parts are hard to come by so there isn't even much choice. Too bad Stillen did not make anything for the Gen2.

FWIW, the eBay seller told me the parts were made in Korea.

 

[shadow191]

GT Spec is basically a branding company. They don't really manufacture anything, just get it made overseas like everyone else and slap their name on it. Everywhere else in the world, it's Summit Racing, but GT Spec has distribution rights in the US. So while all other countries can get Summit braces which are identical except in color (orange), GT Spec keeps claiming that they are out of stock on their parts and will only get them if you order a bunch. They don't engineer anything, it's all marketing. They won't even stock replacement parts for braces they've already sold; I'm not even talking about custom parts, I'm talking about off the shelf bolt and hardware kits.

It's sort of hard to knock off a company that doesn't do any real engineering or manufacturing or designing. Unless they actually put a GT Spec logo on it, it's not a knockoff since GT Spec is just buying from the same manufacturers as the eBay sellers.

And I don't think the OP ever claimed it was a GT Spec anyways. He clearly said NISMO which it isn't either of course and his rear GT Spec bar is genuine. Did he buy it off PEEJ who coudln't fit it on his 50?

 

[meme405]

GT Spec is basically a branding company. They don't really manufacture anything, just get it made overseas like everyone else and slap their name on it. Everywhere else in the world, it's Summit Racing, but GT Spec has distribution rights in the US. So while all other countries can get Summit braces which are identical except in color (orange), GT Spec keeps claiming that they are out of stock on their parts and will only get them if you order a bunch. They don't engineer anything, it's all marketing. They won't even stock replacement parts for braces they've already sold; I'm not even talking about custom parts, I'm talking about off the shelf bolt and hardware kits.

It's sort of hard to knock off a company that doesn't do any real engineering or manufacturing or designing. Unless they actually put a GT Spec logo on it, it's not a knockoff since GT Spec is just buying from the same manufacturers as the eBay sellers.

And I don't think the OP ever claimed it was a GT Spec anyways. He clearly said NISMO which it isn't either of course and his rear GT Spec bar is genuine. Did he buy it off PEEJ who coudln't fit it on his 50?

This times a hundred. GT-Spec is already china made, so really you can't go farther down the totem pole from them.

At the end of the day the chinese actually do some great welding in factories (although I have seen some shit stuff as well). I doubt you will have any problems with that aspect.

Overall GT-spec has had their fair share of problems, especially with STB's, on the first gen there are multiple instances of people reporting that the STB hits their hood (I am one of those people).

I'd like to say they are one of those companies who buys and brands the China Made stuff while maintaining higher QC, but I don't even think they do that. They just sell whatever the factory sends them without double checking anything.

Nima enjoy your pieces, this entire conversation is moot. Its a fucking STB, not an engineering marvel, they all do the same thing

 

[wyatth]

Interestingly, the eBay seller ("KF1386") claims the bars all come with "Infiniti FX35" engraved on top, and sent pictures of that.
Same seller? I much prefer your engraving.