After HybridGSR1 posted a picture of this brace on H-T last week I decided to give it a test. I received the brace promptly in the mail from evasivemotorsports just three days ago.
http://www.evasivemotorsports.com

Here are my experiences and thoughts regarding this product.

This unit is very high quality – solid and well engineered design that fits perfect. You need to remove the strut tower bar for accessing this area. The simple instructions are easy to follow. It’s not too difficult to install, however it takes some dexterity to install the bolt adjacent to the brake fluid reservoir due to the space constraints. If you have the right tools you can do the install in about 15 minutes.

Driving Impressions:
You can defiantly feel a difference right away with even light to moderate breaking. What this means is that brake pedal travel is shorter and you’ll notice a stiffer feel. This brace does not allow the master cylinder / firewall to flex, period.

Here’s the interesting part of the story. People who promote master cylinder braces say that the stiffer brake feel results in, “greatly improving brake feel and sensitivity”. My experience was just the opposite. The stiff pedal feel and (slightly) shorter pedal travel actually left me with less break feedback and what seemed like less control. The shorter pedal travel lead to vague brake feel and actually diminished my ability to modulate the brake pedal for less controlled stopping. Am I the only one who has this perception?

The manufacturer claims that it will “reduced brake fade” too. I never thought it would do that and still can’t imagine that a brace could accomplish this task. I drove around for a couple days with this brace and came to the conclusion that I definitely prefer the feel without a master cylinder brace.

I did not purchase this unit thinking it would actually improve breaking, but rather had the inclination that it may heighten my driving enjoyment and maybe improve brake control. This was not the case for me.

Brake setup: Spoon Calipers / Axxis Ultimate Pads / Motul 600 Brake Fluid / Stock Brake Lines

That being said, my slightly used Drive master cylinder brace is for sale. I paid $90 plus shipping. First person interested gets it for $65 shipped (paypal). It’s defiantly the best built and best designed MC brace I’ve seen. If you want to try one this is a great opportunity to test it out for yourself. Keep in mind that nearly everyone else who has posted on H-T that has experience with these braces (including other brands and DIY versions) has liked the brake feel improvement. Looks like I’m in the minority.

-Josh

 

Thanks for the most excellent review, Josh.

You obviously put some thought into your words and I'm really glad someone has verbalized it the way you did.

I feel almost exactly the same as you about the effect of the MC Brace, I couldn't have said it any better, and I have tried countless times to explain my point in the MC Brace debates.

 

Good review

I was wondering about those.

 

I love mine, greatly increased pedal feel, especially during autoX events and driving schools. you have IM

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SlapSmak &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I love mine, greatly increased pedal feel, especially during autoX events and driving schools. you have IM</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sold - SlapSmak gets the deal of the day.
At that price I knew it would not take long.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris N &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for the most excellent review, Josh.
You obviously put some thought into your words and I'm really glad someone has verbalized it the way you did.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks chris - I'm glad people can learn from my experiences.

 

Good review.

Big to Josh for not being afraid to be the minority. I think that we need to her negative feedback more often. If not necessarily negative about the product (which this was clearly not), at least negative about our opinions on what is typically and almost unquestionably understood as being better. The majority isn't for everyone, yet almost nobody ever feels the need to go against it. Thanks a lot Josh for going against the grain.

JON

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mr. clockwork &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Good review.

Big to Josh for not being afraid to be the minority. I think that we need to her negative feedback more often. If not necessarily negative about the product (which this was clearly not), at least negative about our opinions on what is typically and almost unquestionably understood as being better. The majority isn't for everyone, yet almost nobody ever feels the need to go against it. Thanks a lot Josh for going against the grain.

JON </TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree about not following what everyone else says - but many times people attack this for some odd reason. I've tried, as have many others, to point out the relative uselessness of the MC Brace. It didn't get us anywhere.

Chris - who sings (in his head) that old ministry song - "Be your own person.... Be your own person... 'cause this.... is.... a test!!!!"

 

Good feedback Josh. I think that the brace is probably not necessary with the Spoon Calipers... I would guess that the increased control and pedal feel that you achieved from the Calipers was diminished by the brace somehow. The other possibility is that you grew accustomed (sp?) to the movement of the master cylinder, and with that movement gone, the pedal feel changed (presumably for the worse).

I don't have the luxury of 4 piston spoon calipers, but I do have SS lines, Axxiss pads, and a DIY brace (not as beefy as the drive one, but close). I liked the feel that the brace gives, but the brake action definately changed. With the brace, it seems that there is more of an initial "bite" than there was before. This is probably also a result of the SS lines as well. I've gotten used to it, but I don't think I would have installed a brace at all if I had the spoon brakes.

Regardless, thanks for the unbiased review.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris N &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I agree about not following what everyone else says - but many times people attack this for some odd reason. I've tried, as have many others, to point out the relative uselessness of the MC Brace. It didn't get us anywhere.

Chris - who sings (in his head) that old ministry song - "Be your own person.... Be your own person... 'cause this.... is.... a test!!!!"</TD></TR></TABLE>

I just put a brace on my GSR and I can feel an improvement, so not useless to me.

One might consider that the calipers of a GSR flex more, so the brakes can be more responsive to this than ITRs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Philly_NBP_R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think that the brace is probably not necessary with the Spoon Calipers</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think most people agree that the MC Brace concept is neither about necessity nor utility but rather about subjective <U>feel</U> and personal preference - not so much performance. This is true whether you have stock brakes or an aftermarket brake kit.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Philly_NBP_R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would guess that the increased control and pedal feel that you achieved from the Calipers was diminished by the brace somehow. The other possibility is that you grew accustomed (sp?) to the movement of the master cylinder, and with that movement gone, the pedal feel changed (presumably for the worse). </TD></TR></TABLE>

Exactly! The Spoon calipers provide additional feel and control compared to the stock system. When using the MC brace the experience was reminiscent of the stock feel.

 

good review, i bet alot of ppl is reconsidering gettin an mc braces now.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NA gs-R 05 C &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">good review, i bet alot of ppl is reconsidering gettin an mc braces now. </TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL - Lets get Willard in here too help us shut down the entire MC brace industry.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by itrsport.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think most people agree that the MC Brace concept is neither about necessity nor utility but rather about subjective feel and personal preference - not so much performance. This is true whether you have stock brakes or an aftermarket brake kit.P </TD></TR></TABLE>

This is very true... Now I have one more question for you - are you considering SS lines for your R? They also can dramatically change the way the pedal feels... I wonder if they would have a positive or negative effect on your car with the Spoon Calipers already in place? Unlike the brace however, (I think) most people agree that they actually can increase braking performance...

I think the real truth emerging here is that many upgrades that people bolt on are more about subjective opinion and impressions than actual quantitative results. The Spoon Calipers don't actually decrease stopping distance, but they do improve feel and control. I think that the brace is actually very similar - just changes the feel of the pedal.

Well, anyway, I would love to drive your R Josh, you know, just to get a "feel" for it

 

good review

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Philly_NBP_R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
are you considering SS lines for your R? They also can dramatically change the way the pedal feels... I wonder if they would have a positive or negative effect on your car with the Spoon Calipers already in place?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've considered them but I guess the hassle of installing them and the cost has just kept me from getting them. I've heard they can be more prone to leaking or at least not being as durable in the long run as the stock rubber hoses? I'm not sure if this is true. But I guess it can't be a cost issue since I blew $90 on a MC brace.

Besides, I'm really happy with how my current setup is working. Feels great and the stopping ability is more impressive than anything else I've experienced. As I do more modifications to my type r and decide that I don’t like them I’m agreeing more and more with the slogan, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Philly_NBP_R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Spoon Calipers don't actually decrease stopping distance</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hummm... I'd imagine that stopping distance would be decreased a little bit (given same pads) however I don't have evidence.

 

anybody have a G-Tech? sounds like it's time to do some testing

Zyg - was your motor "broke" before you boosted it?
lol

I just wish I had some $$$ to replace stuff on my car that ain't broke.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Philly_NBP_R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Zyg - was your motor "broke" before you boosted it?
lol</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nope, Warren just used that stock bottom this last weekendend to WIN an ECHC race.

... but I'm not the one that said "if it aint broke don't fix it"!
Furthermore, virtually everyone agrees that SS lines are a definite improvement. &lt;shakes head&gt;

P.S. sorry about the name change, just got finished hasseling somene else with that JDM CF thingie post.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by itrsport.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.</TD></TR></TABLE>

fug that, "go big or go home"

 

i can understand where you are coming from, but it is possible that you have too much brakes for your setup as it is.

increasing the responsivness of those spoon calipers is probibly not a good thing. i assume they bite pretty hard compaired to the single piston stock calipers.

btw, did you notice alot of flex in the towers sheetmetal?

 

I think it is all in the matter of personal preference.

I am one who likes a tight steering wheel like in a sports car. I also like the Stiffer suspension or a sports Car. My friend thinks that the Stiffer Steering and Sus is Horrible. Makes them feel like they have less control.

I am inclined to think that you had become accustomed to the travel. Just the distance from 0 to 100% brakes was lessened. I can see that you will have to teach yourself how to brake all over again.
LOL like the time I first drove my GF's 98 Civic DX. I had been driving around in a 92 Saturn 5 spd and that CLUTCH WAS SOOOOOO HEAVY!!!! I nearly put my foot through the floor with the Civic.
If you want a better pedal feel I would suggest upgrading your Stock lines to SS lines. Probably the BEST upgrade I did to improve pedal feel

Nice review but I can't help to think it was a bit premature cause you didn't give yourself a chance to adjust to the new feel.