Strut Braces, required or not???

1. AIRacing L-plater Joined: Dec 2008 High Wycombe Posts: 44 Golf MK5 Gti Lotus Elise Saxo VTS

   #1 13th January 2009, 14:09

   Hi all, as above, I am building my race car and fitting the full custom cages roll cage which has the pick up points that fit to the front struts. By doing this, will fitting upper and lower strut braces actually make any difference??
   
   All thoughts on this matter will be greatly appreciated.
2. Colin Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2006 Banbury Posts: 4623 Saxo Rally Car Evo 6

   #2 13th January 2009, 15:23

   Tbh I wouldn't of thought so if you have that type of cage. The Saxo's strut tops are very close to the bulkhead anyway so flex is very minimal.
   
   No doubt they *could* be benificial when on the very limit of the cars suspension / grip however.
   
   There my thoughts anyway
3. Sparco_Tom Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2007 Aylesbury, Bucks Posts: 12836 Yeaaahh Fiesta

   #3 13th January 2009, 15:48

   for the cost of a top and bottom brace its well worthwhile it would all work together and just add that tiny bit extra rigidity
4. KamRacing Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)

   #4 13th January 2009, 16:41

   what tyres are you running?
   I will be running slicks and my front inner wings have been strengthened as much as possible. I run a strutbrace, more triangulation to the turrets, and even strengthening to the subframe to make sure nothing moves.
   
   
5. Sparco_Tom Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2007 Aylesbury, Bucks Posts: 12836 Yeaaahh Fiesta

   #5 13th January 2009, 17:09

   that looks superb will be a beast
6. Nij Yorkshire Joined: Apr 2008 Brighouse, W. Yorks Posts: 3699 Citroen C4 VTR Coupe Porsche 924

   #6 13th January 2009, 17:13

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by KamRacing what tyres are you running? I will be running slicks and my front inner wings have been strengthened as much as possible. I run a strutbrace, more triangulation to the turrets, and even strengthening to the subframe to make sure nothing moves.

   now that is a strut brace, reminds me of my old 205
7. AIRacing L-plater Joined: Dec 2008 High Wycombe Posts: 44 Golf MK5 Gti Lotus Elise Saxo VTS

   #7 13th January 2009, 19:51

   we will be running r888's, so not quite as sticky as the slicks. Do you run a lower brace??
8. willsy West Midlands Joined: Nov 2005 Nuneaton (West Mids) Posts: 13835 '64 Volvo V40 R’Design, '89 Ph1 309 GTi, ‘97 Mk1 S

   #8 13th January 2009, 22:30

   KAM wtf is that! never seen anything that mental before.
   
   Its common belief that a top strut brace under normal conditions will do little (you'll not notice much of a difference) in way of support. BUT it is in fact the lower brace which is far more noticeable on a Saxo and will make a good difference.
   
   If you've got the money you may aswel get both anyway. But for actual difference the bottom one is the workhorse
9. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

   #9 13th January 2009, 22:33

   kams cars make me moist
10. AIRacing L-plater Joined: Dec 2008 High Wycombe Posts: 44 Golf MK5 Gti Lotus Elise Saxo VTS

    #10 14th January 2009, 11:43

    thats pretty interesting as I know most perople go for the upper, I guess because it looks good then.lol.
11. KamRacing Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)

    #11 19th January 2009, 13:57

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by willsy KAM wtf is that! never seen anything that mental before. Its common belief that a top strut brace under normal conditions will do little (you'll not notice much of a difference) in way of support. BUT it is in fact the lower brace which is far more noticeable on a Saxo and will make a good difference. If you've got the money you may aswel get both anyway. But for actual difference the bottom one is the workhorse

    That would be my 205
    The engine and gearbox is to be solid mounted onto the chassis hence that spidery arm at the front. Due to running slicks as much strengthening as I can get away with to link the suspension to the suspension top and the subframe has been done.
    One day it will emerge - just too busy to work on it at the moment. I'm not looking forward to building the gearbox from 6 boxes of parts.
    
    kev