Robert Linton

There has been considerable discussion as to the GT 2 race car (based on the 993) strut brace which, other than the carbon fiber unit I have pictured, is, I believe, the best such brace available for the 993 and 964. Following are pictures of it.

Robert Henriksen

Is there any allowance for adjustment for length? I can't tell if there's a seam in the middle of the bar, or if it's a label/placque. OTOH, I don't know sure how much variance there is between production cars, so I don't know if it's really necessary to have the adjustability that all the third-party braces include.

chris walrod

are these available through the dealer still? If so, what do they cost. I much prefer the one-piece version.

Chris

JC in NY

Just so you know the 964 and 993 Cup cars did not use this brace so perhaps it's not the panacea you suggest. Just food for thought...

Robert Linton

Robert:

The strut brace has no adjustability. The thing in the middle is a metal label stating that the brace was made by Matter for the GT-2 EVO race car. While adjustability is a desirable feature for ease of fitment (particularly in a street car), the points of adjustment weaken the structural integrity of the unit and, in turn, its effectiveness. That is why, in its highest level of 911 street car based race car in more than a decade, the GT-2 EVO (the GT-1, while sharing certain of the cosemetics of the 993 and 996, was not based upon the street cars), Porsche used a non adjustable brace.

Chris:

In the U.S., Porsche retail dealers did not and do not sell true race parts. As to availability elsewhere, others on this board say the GT-2 strut brace is no longer available.

JC:

You are quite right, the 964 and the 993 Cup Cars did not use this brace. Neither did the even more advanced Type 964 RSR or the Type 993 RSR. It was only when Porsche built the far more sophisticated and expensive GT-2 race car that the factory went to the extra time and expense of having this better unit built. Particularly for the Cup Cars, which only raced against themselves, there was no need to, pardon the pun, raise the bar.

Robert Henriksen

[quote]Originally posted by Robert Linton:
<strong> Particularly for the Cup Cars, which only raced against themselves, there was no need to, pardon the pun, raise the bar.</strong><hr></blockquote>

BWAHAHAHAHA! <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

Hey, RL *does* have a sense of humor! <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

You know, it doesn't strike me as a big deal to buy a strut brace that has two holes drilled at one end, and the other undrilled. Include an extra piece of bar stock w. two properly spaced, barely-large-enough holes to use as a template. Hold the drilled end's holes just on top of the studs on one side, and the bar stock template just over the studs on the other side. Use a pair of vise-grips to clamp the undrilled end to the template. Take back to the workbench & flip over; used the template's holes to ensure the drill bit won't creep as you drill out the holes.

I guess if you later went back & made extreme camber adjustments to the car, there's a chance there'd be enough deflection in the studs to prevent the strut brace from slipping over the top of same. That'd be more of an issue w. a gradually evolving street car than a GT-2, of course.

Sam N

Just as an FYI, my aluminum Racing Dynamics strut bar is also non-adjustable. Its slightly wider, i.e. squarer than the one Robert has posted. Seems to work fine and was approximately $200.

Joe@Fabspeed

Hi Robert
What is the part# on the Porsche matter strut bar. I have a $595 Tech Art front bar (bought years ago) and would like to upgrade to the non adjustable GT2.

Virtually Blue & Gold aluminum anodized bar fits all 964 & 993 cars for sale cheap when GT2 part gets installed.
joe

Chris Cervelli

I had one of those braces on my silver RSR. If I remember right, the holes are slotted on one side to allow for a little misalignment.

All the GT2's had Porsche's 100 Liter fuel cell, as did my car. I don't know if this brace will work with the standard gas tank.

When I purchased mine from PMNA in late 97, I was pleasantly surprised that it was less than $300.

Chris Cervelli

Robert Linton

The GT-2 strut brace will fit with the standard 993 and 964 fuel tank. If, however, you are planning to use a fuel cell, you will have to make sure that it has clearance.

Matt Vaughan

Just wanted to mention that Gert just added this factory part to his list of goodies. Looks as if it's still available:

<a href="http://www.carnewal-europe.com/cpx_p93102.htm" target="_blank">http://www.carnewal-europe.com/cpx_p93102.htm</a>

Phil

I just ordered one from Gert