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a functional strut brace

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Old 12-05-2009, 08:42 AM
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Default a functional strut brace

here she is, a REAL work-in-progress! please be kind she's my baby....

I fab'd this up in the shop the other day



a bit of finish work and she's in. a ways to go before it's done. it's very sturdy though, unlike others that mount on the top-hat's.



Old 12-05-2009, 11:19 PM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

nobody likes?
Old 12-05-2009, 11:32 PM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Good Fab, Might have put more secure mounting brackets for the bar though. Just a suggestion!
Old 12-06-2009, 12:23 AM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Looks good. I agree it could use a little more reinforcement, but maybe just some like diamond shaped tabs welded to the sides to act as gussets.
Nice looking piece.
Old 12-06-2009, 05:41 AM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

How is that single bolt securing it to the tower better than the usual that bolts to both strut bolts???
Old 12-06-2009, 05:45 AM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Originally Posted by JDMDAEK
Good Fab, Might have put more secure mounting brackets for the bar though. Just a suggestion!
looks good but i agree with ^^^^
Old 12-06-2009, 09:09 PM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Originally Posted by turbodcxbro
How is that single bolt securing it to the tower better than the usual that bolts to both strut bolts???
He has two on each side, it appears to attach to the upper control arm bolts.
Old 12-07-2009, 01:49 AM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Pretty nice. How long did it take
Old 12-07-2009, 07:02 PM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

took less than an hour to mock it up. I agree with ya'll those brackets were just some SCRAP mild steel angle I had layin around, thought they be good for mock up cause they were small but got the job done. LOL they are actually not even drilled I cut out a section of the sides so I didnt' have to remove the bolts entirely. but yes next thing is I tubing the front rad. support ( only the upper portion where the head lights mount) so I have use passive locking hood pins as a latch. and yes those are BOTH of the UCA mounting bolts on BOTH sides. thought a picture was worth a thousand words? j/k thanks guys I'll have more new pics soon. just been busy in the shop to tired to do anything on mine after work....


the wayt you see it in the best picture is what took approx. just under an hour.

Last edited by schecter; 12-07-2009 at 07:08 PM.
Old 12-07-2009, 07:17 PM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Hell, ill buy one if you make one that's 96-00 friendly...and make some better mounting tabs. As long as you leave it unpainted but what I really need is some heavier duty sway bars... The factory Si bars aren't cutting it anymore. But good work...mig welded?
Old 12-07-2009, 11:33 PM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Looks good! Clean it up, mass produce it and sell it bro.

That looks way sturdier than those shitty Skunk2, DC, and Megan Racing strut tower bars.
Old 12-07-2009, 11:37 PM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

where does that 3rd part that 45's off of the actual brace, mount to? sorry, im just trying to tell where it is mounted but i cant tell lol.
Old 12-08-2009, 12:36 AM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

All ends connect to the A arm 14mm bolts. Its just hard to tell in the pic.


Maybe if it had a nifty powder coat job it would be easier to tell *hint hint*.
Old 12-08-2009, 01:43 AM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Reminds me of the neuspeed that came with my del sol...
Old 12-08-2009, 07:31 AM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

nice. except this was a much less expensive alternative.... i'm going to tie the whole thing back to the firewall as well.
Old 12-08-2009, 09:53 AM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Originally Posted by FearTheH
...But good work...mig welded?
I agree, it looks good.

Welds are only as good as the person welding. It doesn't matter what process you're using as long as the person knows what they're doing.
Old 12-08-2009, 10:04 AM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Connect it to the engine mount bracket too.

Kinda like the ingals stiffy. Engine damper
Old 12-08-2009, 10:10 AM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Originally Posted by thumper64
I agree, it looks good.

Welds are only as good as the person welding. It doesn't matter what process you're using as long as the person knows what they're doing.
this is true, but i was asking because different welding, mig, arc, tig, oxy act, and so forth produce different beads... and you cant beat the bead of a nice tig weld
Old 12-08-2009, 10:13 AM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Originally Posted by fastrxu
Connect it to the engine mount bracket too.

Kinda like the ingals stiffy. Engine damper
kinda, but not hardly... the ingal damper is just a really strong/high pressure shock. it still allows the engine to flex slightly... if this bar was tied into the engine mount it would just bend the bar, i know, i already tried it lol. it was a good idea in theory but just doesnt work out well when coming off of the line hard.
Old 12-08-2009, 10:34 AM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

should make me one so i can put in my rear upper mount
Old 12-08-2009, 12:47 PM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Originally Posted by FearTheH
kinda, but not hardly... the ingal damper is just a really strong/high pressure shock. it still allows the engine to flex slightly... if this bar was tied into the engine mount it would just bend the bar, i know, i already tried it lol. it was a good idea in theory but just doesnt work out well when coming off of the line hard.
indeed!!!

i stick welded the tabs on for mockup. tig'd the brace assembly, and will tig the final mounting brackets in as well. greater penetration, cleaner weld, more control over heat, I have a pretty mean variety of welding equipment available to me. the miller xmt w/ water cooled torch, miller pedal, miller switch, using straight argon, i can do anything with that xmt cv/cc machine she's a real beaut!
Old 12-08-2009, 12:58 PM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

i like but i also agree on the itty bitty brackets
Old 12-08-2009, 01:04 PM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

Hmm, the design is much like the older Neuspeed bar, and would provide the same support. I bought one used off of ebay for like $60. Not sure if it would be worth you doing it for a profit or not. A front upper strut bar does add some support, it's not huge though, many newer Honda's have pretty good chassis to begin with.

Adding a good set of sway bars would provide a huge difference in performance if that's what you are looking for.

here's a decent shot of a neuspeed bar on a crv, lol

Old 12-08-2009, 01:19 PM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

what gauge is the steel? i was going to make one for my old car but for 20 bucks i bought the c type that blolts to the firewall.
Old 12-08-2009, 02:25 PM
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Default Re: a functional strut brace

why does OP bay look all burnt up. was it in a fire or something???


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