Jwolf427

If you are in the market for a strut tower brace for your 933, I would highly recommend checking out Elephant Racing's X-Brace. After the install, I felt an immediate difference with the front end, especially under hard breaking and cornering. The front end feels much more ridged and predictable, I wanted to make sure that it was not all in my head, so I removed the brace and took my usually driving route and there is defiantly a difference. If you are worried about losing the frunk, the kit has quick disconnect pins on all the ends, which allow for quick removal. Installation only took about 30 minutes.

jstyer

Damn... Wish I would've seen this 3 weeks ago. I really like that and I've been looking for an X-brace setup.

ilko

Interesting! Can you show photos of the mounting point in the front? I don't remember seeing any attachment points there.

Did you have a strut tower brace before fitting this cross brace? I'd be interested in hearing how the cross brace compares to a tower brace as far as added rigidity. Cross braces were almost mandatory in earlier 911s (technically 3-point braces) but the 964/993 platform is stiffer. I see this set up a bit of an overkill for a street-driven 993 but it's good to know manufacturers are still supporting this platform with new products!

nine9six

Chuck Moreland makes some tasty effective bits for these P-cars!

If someone could come up with a canvas or mesh kit to install onto the x-bars so you would effectively have four frunk pockets; that would be kinda useful too.

Front attach point brackets look like they could either be welded or bolted in place.

Jwolf427

I went for a drive on two separate occasions, one without the brace, and one with the strut tower brace/xbrace. There was a big difference between the two. I haven't tried doing just the strut tower brace yet, I'll take the x brace off and do my usual driving route on my way home and will report back if there is a difference.

Here is a picture of the x-braces front mounting points

Jwolf427

Chuck is a great guy, very knowledgeable. Elephant Racing actually used my car to test fit their x-brace before putting it into production. The idea on the mesh kit would be a great idea!

k722070

is that front mounting point bracket held in with just sheet metal screws or did you use nutserts?
nice looking product.

NYC993

and it looks like the front piece can be easily removed if you need the frunk space.

Like Ilko, I wonder how much difference the X piece adds compared to just the cross bar.
It looks like X can be added later on.

OverBoosted28

I'm already thinking I could fab this up for some savings

Vandit

I've heard that running a strut bar is pointless if you retain the OEM rubber top mounts, since the mounts deflect and absorb forces before they are transferred to the car's unibody. Gotta run monoball top mounts to gain the benefit from the strut bar.

Resident Sicko

Not true. It is all about geometry and relationship to cowl and how stiff all points are. My S2000 showed no difference due to stiff towers and cowl (ragtop) 993 however, noticeable difference even on the street.

NYC993

By this logic there should be no difference between coupe and cab. These cross bars stiffen the boby. Drive over parking lot ramp or steep driveway diagonally and you will hear the car twisting.

Jwolf427

The front of the X-Brace are held on by 4 sheet metal screws, 2 on each end of the X-Brace.

Jwolf427

I can assure you that this brace makes a huge difference even without running a mono-ball setup. Like NYC993 said, when exiting a steep driveway, you can feel/hear the frame twisting without the front brace. You can still feel/hear the frame twisting with the brace installed, but it is reduced significantly.

nine9six

I strongly disagree...As you add the ridgidity of this cross brace, you are effectively reducing potential flex in the front of the vehicle.
Would monoballs further reduce front suspension flex? Yes, would be the short answer. Logic would dictate that each component would contribute to reduce flex in the front end.

I concur...I met Chuck in 06, at the Parts Heaven Swap Meet and Concours event. He is a class act, who gave freely of his knowledge and experience without trying to sell his products.