F54 :: Clubman Talk (2015+) MINI Cooper Clubman and Clubman S Discussion

F54 CravenSpeed Big Pair Chassis Brace

Old Dec 27, 2018 | 06:32 PM
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CravenSpeed Big Pair Chassis Brace

Anyone have these installed on their F54's? Do you feel like it makes a difference? Is it worth nearly 300 bucks?!

I read that many people like them on the F56. But those are at least 80 bucks cheaper. Link below for those that don't know what I'm talking about.

https://www.cravenspeed.com/the-big-...f54-2016-2019/
 

Last edited by ZiaMan24; Apr 30, 2019 at 07:58 PM. Reason: new link
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Old Dec 27, 2018 | 06:40 PM
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We've sold and installed several sets of braces and the craven ones are good. But we have been using the Chassis bones version as they were more cost effective and worked just the same.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/chassi...4-clubman.html

From what I've seen I think the 4wd has two braces and I think the 2wd has only one brace. The last 2wd we had in only came with one brace from the factory.
Either set will make a difference as we have customers tell us how happy they are all the time.
 
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Old Dec 28, 2018 | 06:03 AM
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Looks like another item to add to my list of to do's......
 
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Old Apr 6, 2019 | 02:12 PM
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Canadian customers

Originally Posted by WayMotorWorks
We've sold and installed several sets of braces and the craven ones are good. But we have been using the Chassis bones version as they were more cost effective and worked just the same.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/chassi...4-clubman.html

From what I've seen I think the 4wd has two braces and I think the 2wd has only one brace. The last 2wd we had in only came with one brace from the factory.
Either set will make a difference as we have customers tell us how happy they are all the time.
Any chance us Canadian’s could order from your company, Eh, 😁
 
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Old Apr 8, 2019 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Kcrom
Any chance us Canadian’s could order from your company, Eh, 😁
Sorry we don't do any international orders or shipping. But OutMotoring.com is one of our dealers and I think they do international orders.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2019 | 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by WayMotorWorks
We've sold and installed several sets of braces and the craven ones are good. But we have been using the Chassis bones version as they were more cost effective and worked just the same.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/chassi...4-clubman.html

From what I've seen I think the 4wd has two braces and I think the 2wd has only one brace. The last 2wd we had in only came with one brace from the factory.
Either set will make a difference as we have customers tell us how happy they are all the time.
@WayMotorWorks I've been under my ALL4 S and it only has one brace. I've checked your site and am interested in the Chassis Bones version, but you only list one and claim the second one is coming soon. When might that be?
 
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Old Apr 15, 2019 | 06:36 PM
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Love mine. Huge difference on corners and off ramps. They've asked me for pictures a few times but never had any till recently. Stiffen chassis with no ill effects. Go for it, no regrets!
 
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Old Apr 15, 2019 | 06:50 PM
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Do you plan on doing any suspension modifications?

I got AST lowering springs, and the car became stiffer than I expected - but I think I might really be feeling flex in the chassis now.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2019 | 07:29 PM
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I think lowering living in central PA would turn front splitter into snow plow. I do want rear sway bar to really tighten everything up even more, but my local shop wants too much for installation. I do have 225/40R18 Ultra high performance run flats at 40 psi (recommended for speeds over 100mph) on 8.5" wide wheels which widens stance and run alignment as close as I can get to JCW specs; that probably helps a bit.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2019 | 12:53 PM
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Please help me understand Aluminum for braces. Everything I read tells me that steel is stronger, so why Aluminum?
 
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Old Apr 22, 2019 | 07:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Minnie.the.Moocher
Please help me understand Aluminum for braces. Everything I read tells me that steel is stronger, so why Aluminum?
I believe the Cravenspeed braces are cast aluminum and are machined to size/shape. They are much lighter than comparable steel ones, but being cast have much higher rigidity and less weight than the stock stamped steel one. Also, since it replaces the OE one and adds another one where there is none, it stiffens up the chassis nicely......
 
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Old May 10, 2019 | 01:56 PM
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So for those of you that care, I got my Cravenspeed Big Pair earlier this week and got them installed this past Wednesday.

Honestly, I think I do feel the difference. Definitely much stiffer feeling - in a good way. You will have to take my observations with a grain of salt, as I had wheel spacers ( 12mm F / 15mm R) installed at the same time. Even I didn't think they would make much of a difference, the car feels better planted to the ground.
 
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Old May 10, 2019 | 02:10 PM
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The wheels spacers probably invalidate you non-scientific opinion. I'm on the fence about getting them for my F56. I was at Cravenspeed the other day and almost bought them.

Thanks for the feedback, always good to have other data points.
 
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Old May 18, 2019 | 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Minnie.the.Moocher
The wheels spacers probably invalidate you non-scientific opinion. I'm on the fence about getting them for my F56. I was at Cravenspeed the other day and almost bought them.

Thanks for the feedback, always good to have other data points.
Hey Minnie- I did the Chassis Bones version from Way Motor Works for my F55. Absolutely worth it. I had already put in a 22mm rear seat bar by NM Eng and the JCW suspension (rebranded KW v1) and lowered the car about an inch.

After a year on that set up I added the braces, unsure whether I would be able to notice a thing.

I sure noticed a thing!

Car turns in more precisely, feels even more well planted due to the reduced chassis flex, and gives better road feel as I approach the limits of traction.

It's not the quantum leap in handling that the sway bar was, nor the lower suspension. But for $110-210 and a very fast and easy install, the bang for the buck is outstanding.

Go for it!

Clubman F54: https://www.waymotorworks.com/chassi...4-clubman.html
4-door F55: https://www.waymotorworks.com/chassi...55-4-door.html
Hatch F56: https://www.waymotorworks.com/chassi...5-f56-f57.html
Convertible F57: https://www.waymotorworks.com/chassi...57-cabrio.html
Countryman F60: https://www.waymotorworks.com/chassi...ountryman.html
 
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Old May 18, 2019 | 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Minnie.the.Moocher
Please help me understand Aluminum for braces. Everything I read tells me that steel is stronger, so why Aluminum?
I'll add here to the other comments, mostly with this link and excerpt which explains it better than I would have:

https://www.thefabricator.com/articl...ength-in-metal

"The thickness and shape of the formed part also contributes to its stiffness. Stiffness is proportional to the cube of the thickness. To neutralize aluminum being one-third the stiffness of steel, an aluminum part must be made 44 percent thicker than the steel part. Even with this increased thickness, there is a potential for weight savings since aluminum is one-third the density of steel."

That's where the Big Pair and Chassis Bones come in. They're lighter than the steel they replace but have a lot more material in them. The net is they are stiffer than the stamped steel they replace.

(the outer dimensions are about the same, so the replacements do not protrude from the car.)
 
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Old Jul 4, 2020 | 08:01 PM
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Just bought the chassis bones and the powerflex lower engine mount(yellow). Will post an update when installed.
 
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Old Jul 28, 2020 | 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by EmedpaDHSc
Just bought the chassis bones and the powerflex lower engine mount(yellow). Will post an update when installed.
Chassis bones on. They make a difference. Glad I did it.
 
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Old Aug 5, 2020 | 12:37 PM
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For what its worth, this made the "forked Tongue" feeling go completely away. Prior to install the car was most connected in the middle but any of camber cornering was a noodle-tastic experience. Its far more composed and mostly goes where I point it. This has proven to be the number 1 drive-ability upgrade that I have made yet. Would absolutely recommend to ANYONE who likes to toss it into a corner once in a while.
 
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Old Aug 9, 2020 | 07:37 PM
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Hmmm damn I’m really going to have to try these. I’ve had my non-rtfs and spacers on for about a month now so I feel like I have a new benchmark in mind. How’s the install? Just get under and bolt them on?
 
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Old Aug 10, 2020 | 07:47 AM
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Yeah about that. Mine is a very early 17 so I only had the bolts for 1 of the 2 stock ones that are supposed to be there, but a quick run to the hardware store solved that. Its really simple to install these.
 
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Old Aug 11, 2020 | 07:35 AM
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Originally Posted by aphat426
Yeah about that. Mine is a very early 17 so I only had the bolts for 1 of the 2 stock ones that are supposed to be there, but a quick run to the hardware store solved that. Its really simple to install these.
How did you elevate the car? Ramps, jack from the side or front? Just curious, as I plan to do these also, but will be doing it my garage and hope to find out the easiest access avenue.....


 
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Old Aug 11, 2020 | 10:28 AM
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Just jacked from the side and supported with Jackstands.......The HF ones I found out had been recalled after i had just finished and was checking my email, LOL.
 
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Old Dec 29, 2020 | 04:14 PM
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Just got these delivered. Nice pieces, but for $270 you’d think they could throw in 6 bolts to mount the rearward brace 🤷🏼‍♂️

From the factory my rearward brace position only has 2 bolts holding on a splash shield. The other 4 holes are unused.

Anyone know the thread pitch for these offhand? I’d like to buy some before I jack up the car to install them.






 

Last edited by AutoCoarsen; Dec 29, 2020 at 04:20 PM.
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Old Dec 29, 2020 | 04:26 PM
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Mine came with the necessary bolts included. You better get in touch with CS.

Originally Posted by AutoCoarsen
Just got these delivered. Nice pieces, but for $270 you’d think they could throw in 6 bolts to mount the rearward brace 🤷🏼‍♂️

From the factory my rearward brace position only has 2 bolts holding on a splash shield. The other 4 holes are unused.

Anyone know the thread pitch for these offhand? I’d like to buy some before I jack up the car to install them.




 
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Old Dec 29, 2020 | 05:06 PM
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^ I did but they confirmed they don’t come with bolts(anymore), even though the installation instructions say they do. Was told the instructions were outdated and you can just use your existing bolts (that don’t exist) 🤷🏼‍♂️. I’ll figure it out. Just some extra hassle.

And I bought these over the cheaper Chassis Bones option partly because they came with bolts. Haha! I know 6 bolts from the hardware store isn’t a big deal, just one less thing to deal with.
 

Last edited by AutoCoarsen; Dec 29, 2020 at 10:15 PM.
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