Schnell front stress bar - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Samson · 09-08-2009, 11:42 AM

I've heard about these on here, but haven't really found ownership impressions of this piece.

So, what do you all think of these? $140 seems pretty reasonable, and they look to be built well. I just question their functionality... looks like there is a lot of room for flex in the design. My main goals are stiffening the chassis for reduced cowl movement over rough roads and general strengthening. Handling benefits are nice, but not my goal.

Thanks!

blinkwatt · 09-08-2009, 11:57 AM

Get a Technobrace from Pedro. Those actually help. I have the Bristol Bar,same concept,rear stress bar. It inspires a little more confidence in turns and I think the rear flexes less when I back out of the driveway.

blue2000s · 09-08-2009, 12:17 PM

I have a front upper and rear upper and lower suspension braces. Schnell on the tops, my own design on the lower. They were each installed at different times. I can't say that I noticed a difference in the chassis stiffness with any one of these, but they don't weigh more than a pound and a half each, so there's really no downside to adding them.

Jaxonalden · 09-08-2009, 02:14 PM

I could definitely tell a difference. The body didn't squeak or pop any more and I drive on some crappy roads. Understand, our cars are a unibody construction and the more you can tie it together the better.

Samson · 09-08-2009, 06:06 PM

Thanks for all of the feedback. I put in a low-ball offer through **************************************** on eBay for a new one and they accepted, so looks like I've purchased my first aftermarket part for the Boxster. Oh crap...

Jaxonalden · 09-08-2009, 06:48 PM

I bought mine from the same company, the same way...put in an offer and they accepted. I just added 5mm wheel adapters and now the wheels are even with the fender wells. Power run around the lake to follow.

Kirk · 09-10-2009, 09:32 PM

I've got the Schnell front and rear bars. They look cool. That's about all I can say for them.

I definitely noticed much more of a difference with the lower stress bar. After I put that in I felt like the car cornered better and it most definitely squeaked less and made less noise in turns. I haven't noticed any difference with the strut tower braces, but I autocross my car and want to do whatever I can to optimize the performance.... so what the heck.

Kirk