Strut brace

[poadb]

Hi,

Could anyone describe the difference of driving the car with and without a strut brace?

/Per Osterberg

 

[61porsche]

Well, it depends on how stiff your suspension already is based on condition of the components. By this I mean, the bar limits or controls to a lesser degree camber changes thereby making the car stiffer. It's usually a better feeling sensation than a great change such as shocks, springs and swaybars. Some notice the difference right away ; others to a lesser degree. Complimentary so to speak to the type of driving you do or expect. For instance, my Porsche is so stiff that going slow over a dip in the pavement in a turn results in one wheel off the pavement.

If your car exhibits, rolls or creaks, it will lessen that to some degree and possible contribute to faster turning at speed with more control. Sometimes those creaks go away in the twisties.

I would first examine closely all my stock components and make sure they were all as like new as possible. A worn balljoint, strut bearing, or the like that should be replaced will make a noticeable difference.

Of course if you're high speed drifting like Hans Stuck and can control it, you already know what to do. Power through the turns and use all of the road; especially the shoulders.

 

[duane_sword]

I haven't driven my coupe without the strut brace, but for a car with a "flexible" frame and no B-pillar I am sure the bracing helps if you are a more enthusiastic type of driver.

I don't race/track my coupe but I have great drives of passionate and animated backroad driving and the handling feels great... My coupe has lowered suspension and other modifications which also contribute to a more sporty (and harder ride) feel.

FWIW I also have the rear-strut tower brace on my coupe which stiffens the rear end and also houses the battery to free up space under the hood.

 

[pamp]

Braces

Cool...is that the rare NLA "orangener" front brace? Also, are you happy with the rear brace/
battery holder and did you run into any problems with the install? Guess the "elephant" plastic for the trunk needs to go to do this...

 

[duane_sword]

Actually my front strut brace is an old unit from Ireland Engineering here in the USA.

The rear strut was easy to install... a paid a specialist, Mario Langsten, and his team at VSR who knows what they are doing (http://www.vsr1.com/index.php?mact=Album,me6359,default,1&me6359albumid=22&me6359returnid=19&page=19 )

Yes the elephant skin needs to be removed from the trunk lining and we also removed some other bracing in the trunk to clean it up given the stiffer rear-end.