According to a mechanical engineer and ASE certified mechanic, a strut tower brace will actually reduce body roll.

 

[quote]Olli - tell us what you have to get for those cf braces. <hr></blockquote>

Have fabricated so far only small items from CF.What i need now is to get some more time.I am hevily invold in junior ice hockey (my son plays) and it takes at least 5 nights / week.
Since i live in europe, i suppose CF strut braces would cost too much for you non europeans.There would be freight,customs fees + something i would want to have.I must first fabricate one and find out how long it would take.Of course the first one takes the longest time.The rest is just duplicating them.

 

[quote]Originally posted by Steve Lavigne:
<strong>According to a mechanical engineer and ASE certified mechanic, a strut tower brace will actually reduce body role. </strong><hr></blockquote>

True but it depends on the car.

We're lucky that the 944/968 is blessed with a very stiff (for its day) front end and so adding a strut brace only adds a little more. Pre-964 911s on the other hand need a strut brace <strong>with</strong> a triangle member down to the floor to come up to the levels.

Still, they look cool.

Karl.

 

Here is my take on strut tower braces.

Usefully only for race cars or other cars with high spring rates. (ie 400 & higher).

Why, They do work in theory (limt flex and reduce camber change and the Porsche factory does install them their factory race 924/944/968 body shells. (look at 968 Turbo RS engine bay). Also many racers will try to tie the upper strut mounts to the roll cage to add body stiffness to the car. Tying both strut towers together will improve the stiffness of the chassis, but how much and if you will ever feel it are highly debateable.

I don't think they are usefull on street cars since you neven put enough load into the strut towers to make a difference. For BMW E30 M3 I have heard they prevent craking of the strut towers on tracked cars.

I have one on my 944 race car running 350lbs springs. Honestly I can't besure it makes difference. My guess is that under highload cornering that you see on a track it might. I am not good enough as a driver to do a back to back comparison of feel and lap times to know for sure. One day I might and if so I will post results, but don't hold your breath.

Oh.. I find it handy when working on the car.. It is good place to put my weight when leaning into the engine compartment especially when hot.

 

In hatchback vehicles i have found that a rear strut brace improves a car dramatically.

I have never been really impressed by front strut braces.

 

I had a 1985 bmw 528e. When I first got the car I could see changes in the space between the hood and fender when cornering. After a strut brace it was gone. Just my experience.

 

I quote Peformance Products on this:

"Makes a great, expensive towel rack too."

I only got mine for 100 bucks from <a href="http://www.sdmotorsports.com" target="_blank">www.sdmotorsports.com</a> You can notice the difference if you get on your car really hard in turns and apexing. Of course if your suspension is stock without M030 option than you can notice this difference...

<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

 

[quote]Originally posted by Steve Lavigne:
<strong>According to a mechanical engineer and ASE certified mechanic, a strut tower brace will actually reduce body roll. </strong><hr></blockquote>

I know I should stay out this, but I just can't...



S

 

Ryan - any of the sway bars that are being discussed here will be a significant improvment over what you have on the car. Personally, I perfer the M030 19mm bar.

 

[quote]Originally posted by Skip:
<strong>I know I should stay out this, but I just can't...</strong><hr></blockquote>

It's actually a joke from a couple of threads on Corner Carvers. Also, it serves as a reminder that just because someone claims to be an engineer and also ASE certified doesn't mean that they know sh*t from shinola.

 

<a href="http://www.stable-energies.com/stable/camber.html" target="_blank">www.stable-energies.com/stable/camber.html</a>

This is the cheapest bar that I could find. I auto-cross my car pretty heavy and I did notice a difference when using race tires. Seemed to give a little extra hold in the tight corners.

 

Not that I even have a 944 to start modifying yet, or any money to modify it when i get one, but where is a good place to look for a M030 sway bar. Is this a good place to start improving on the handling of an otherwise stock 944 (ie is this an upgrade I wont end up wanting to upgrade)?

 

This is what my brace looks like.

I think it looks kind of cool and since it is made of aluminum it's rather light.

//Magnus <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

 

[quote]Originally posted by Steve Lavigne:
<strong>It's actually a joke from a couple of threads on Corner Carvers.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I should've known...

 

mustangFB: You can get a 968 M030 rear sway bar from any Porsche dealer, <a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com," target="_blank">www.pelicanparts.com,</a> or any indepentant Porsche mechanic that sells Porsche stuff will be able to get it for you. I got mine from my mechanic: Powertech. <a href="http://www.pwr-tech.com." target="_blank">www.pwr-tech.com.</a> Ask for Andreas and tell him Z-man sent ya!

Incidentally, there really is no need to upgrade the front sway bar, especially on the 944S2 and 951's, unless body roll is an issue. Upgrading the front to a thicker bar results in more understeer (push or plow), which is undesireable. I'd rather live with the body lean than give the car more understeer. Check the archives, this was discussed thoroughly recently.

M758: LOL at your 'alternate use' of the brace!

Also: if anyone here is STILL thinking about getting the strut tower brace and has an S2, make sure you get the type that will clear the AC nipple that's right next to the driver's side tower. (I think it's an AC nipple...)

Regards,
-Z.