Strut Braces & Install

[djomlas]

how is the schnell one diff fro this one?
$70 is a steal, and form what i can see they are all the same, from 70 for 300something ones....hmmm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/996-986-BOXSTER-RACING-STRUT-TOWER-BAR-RACING-STYLE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33591QQihZ008QQit emZ180116807179QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by djomlas

how is the schnell one diff fro this one?
$70 is a steal, and form what i can see they are all the same, from 70 for 300something ones....hmmm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/996-986-BOXSTER-RACING-STRUT-TOWER-BAR-RACING-STYLE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33591QQihZ008QQit emZ180116807179QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

If the materials and the fit are the same, it'll do just as good of a job.

[Allen K. Littlefield]

Brace on ebay looks as good as any and should do the job as stated. I do not see the rear configuration, only the front and I understand they have different ends that attach to the strut tower. Let us know if you get a set and how the quality comes across. I would be willing to spring for a rear set at that price for sure.

Now about that dancing nanner.................

AKL

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

What you feel will be dictated to a large degree in how experienced you are and the degree of your expectations. Many Chassis/Suspension tweaks are like that, subtle, small in scope, but real improvements nonetheless.

I first did the Front Brace (Racing Dynamics) and noticed an immediate difference. Not a whole different car, but tighter, more sure and the tiny bit of cowl shake the Boxster does have, gone.

I didn't think a Rear Brace would make much difference with the Roll Bar and all, but as I looked at the structure, I realized that it didn't do a thing to prevent Strut Tower movement under hard maneuvering. Still, I decided that any benefit would probably not be worth the cost of the Brace - $150-$200.

Then, Mid-America Motorworks had a sale dropping their Rear Brace from $250 to $175 and I took the plunge. When I installed it, it was apparent how much movement between the Strut Towers there actually was. The Car totally settled down and seemed much more of a unit than a separate pair of axles.

But, again, as I mentioned, you need to be able to detect the change and have a proper expectation. It won't turn a Boxster into a Lotus, but it is definitely a significant improvement. I have worked on Track Car suspensions for many years and realize that improvements are generally very limited, or often limited to a specific set of circumstances and not always felt across the entire driving dynamic. But, the suspension is much more deliberate and predictable with the Braces, if only slightly so. If the OEM setup felt right, with the Strut Towers now fixed, it feels more right.

While I haven't actually tested this, I suspect limiting the range of Camber change the Braces achieve, you will probably add a couple thousand miles to your Tire life as well (though there are so many variables here that all may not experience this) - not Earth shattering, but still an improvement.

I recommend adding both Braces and am also intrigued by the Lower Brace which Insite is currently reporting on. Not necessarily enough to commit to one (mostly because of what my car is used for, and unsure if it will fit on a Tip S car). And, I see this Lower Brace not as a substitute for the Upper Brace, but as a probable compliment to it. This is because each one reduces unwanted movement in it's specific area, but won't do a thing to eliminate movement on the opposite end of the Strut. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[fab]

Is installing the front brace easy? Any DIY/pics on installation process?

[fab]

Originally Posted by fab

Is installing the front brace easy? Any DIY/pics on installation process?

Never mind i saw another thread started with the info

[djomlas]

Jim, thx for the post.
btw, what did you mean by this exactly

" first did the Front Brace (Racing Dynamics) and noticed an immediate difference. Not a whole different car, but tighter, more sure and the tiny bit of cowl shake the Boxster does have, gone.
"

what cowl shake are you referring to?

btw,, im just interested in track/autoX purpose for this, so i think ill be getting the front one for sure, and rear one im still yet to decide (although if money was no issue i would be doing wayyy more than just the braces, obviously )

but, even all stock, i get better times around the autoX than a lot of cars, so i respect this car very much, as stock as it is, and we can all agree on that

[Allen K. Littlefield]

Originally Posted by djomlas

how is the schnell one diff fro this one?
$70 is a steal, and form what i can see they are all the same, from 70 for 300something ones....hmmm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/996-986-BOXSTER-RACING-STRUT-TOWER-BAR-RACING-STYLE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33591QQihZ008QQit emZ180116807179QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

DJ and all, I contacted the seller and they do not have a rear strut brace, only the front.

AKL

[Boxtaboy]

Does anyone know why Porsche doesn't put these sort of braces in from the factory from the get go? I went to a local PCA tech session at an indy shop that makes money from installing performance add ons, and the one thing that kind of surprised me during the lecture by the owner of the shop was that he said, "be wary of some of these "performance enhancing" add ons....if Porsche thought a simple, inexpensive metal rod connecting the struts would help improve the car's handling, believe me, they certainly would have put it in from the start."

[Franco]

Originally Posted by Boxtaboy

Does anyone know why Porsche doesn't put these sort of braces in from the factory from the get go? I went to a local PCA tech session at an indy shop that makes money from installing performance add ons, and the one thing that kind of surprised me during the lecture by the owner of the shop was that he said, "be wary of some of these "performance enhancing" add ons....if Porsche thought a simple metal rod connecting the struts would help improve the car's handling, believe me, they certainly would have put it in from the start."

The same reason they put in the CRAPPY INTERIOR PLASTIC TRIM and sun visors that fall apart if you actually use them, and the foam in the heating vents that comes out every time you put the fan on, cup holders that need to be handled with surgical gloves or they'll fall apart etc..etc..etc..

Answere, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$

Like Jim Says, Hope This Helps

[2000SoCalBoxsterS]

Porsche does build strut bracing into the Boxster. Do a search on PCA.org about strut braces. I know that at least on the Boxster S they are apparantly not necessary due to the way Porsche integrated that bracing function into the firewall car frame. And I don't think the "S" has a different body frame from the non "S".

[djomlas]

or why did they only give us so few HP?