Does anyone have some detailed pictures they could post of the cabrio braces installed on their Gen 1. I was out looking at mine today and I noticed some of those caps in the places that the braces would go, however the clearance on the passenger side seems a bit iffy with all the wiring running down where they would attach. Just curious to know if I will have any issues with install if I am to order them. Anyone with feedback is much appreciated. It is hard for me to believe that it is just a bolt on and go affair.

 

Here is the Convertible add on braces: 51617123516 KT


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51617123516KT/




Pics and install.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-cabrio-5.html

 

Quite helpful. Thanks for answering so quick. You guys on this forum are a dream come true, hahaha. My Scion Xb forum is full a sarcastic jerks half the time.

 

On an 2005 they just bolt up...easy...fast...
I noticed a better feel crossing railroad tracks, seemed the dash made less noise on bumpy roads, and car felt better...
Now it is a subtle feel....some folks don't notice...some do...but at about $50, it is a decent OEM mod IMO. Sure cannot hurt...heck...you can paint them before install for a bit of bling....or leave them OEM black...

 

The mods have worked hard over the years....a big thank you to them, past and present.
Things have changed a bit...forums in general are slowing down as stuff move to Facebook, etc...

 

I installed them, took a decent bit of time working them into place. then getting the bolts back in. I would either make sure you have torx bits for an extension or get new allen bolts. I mostly got them for the bling factor hard to say if it created any better handling properties for me

 

I've installed many sets of these over the years and even on my R53. The biggest thing we notice seems to be less dash rattles.
For install it is really simple as we use a screwdriver to pop out the plugs. Then mount the braces and you can just physically push the wiring out of the way. Then the screws we include use a T30 torx to install. You can do it with a standard T30 torx bit, but you if have a long one it will make it easier as it's easier to get in by the fender liner.

We keep them in stock.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/oem-cab...oss-brace.html

 

Check out this step-by-step installation guide. One of many great guides at billswebspace.com.
http://www.billswebspace.com/MiniCab...stallation.htm

 

hand and guy bi

 

Big thanks for the install write up! Just put mine on and needed the guide. Now I can't wait to drive it now!!

 

I’m attempting to install these on my 03 R50. Mine didn’t have the plugs so I figured I just need to drill the holes... well that was the easy part but not it looks like the area that they bolt through is a double walled frame piece.... ummmmm did I just drill these holes for no reason?

Has anyone installed these on the earlier cars without the plugs?

 

I've read people drilled them and fed nuts on the bolts then on cars that did not have the hole factory .
I'm still debating to get the cabrio braces or the megan strut tower bar for 20$ more only...
anybody have any input on which would be more beneficial ? I would imagine the strut tower brace..

 

Pelican Parts has an excellent tutorial concerning older cars:

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...ce_Install.htm

Looks like rivnut or nutsert is needed for install.

 

that’s basically the conclusion I’ve come to also.


as far as buying these or a strut bar, I was given these years ago and oddly enough once I had a Mini I had a few things I could install, these being one. A strut bar is likely money better spent

 

I was actually looking at it yesterday and it looks like it would be easy since mine already has the holes to just use a front splitter support IF I could find a think enough one. I'd love a set of the cabrio braces but for some reason the price has recently skyrocketed on them , probably due to availability but having Milwaukee next to me and chicago 1hour away I'm just keeping an eye out for one to pop up in a junkyard , theres still a few HUGE yards around here I haven't called yet and one now I think of it has everytime i ever called them for any car I've ever had have had it so i will maybe call em monday and hopefully score me a set worth paying for. Because no offense to anybody who's selling or sold them , I couldn't justify more than 70-80$ on a set.

 

The general consensus seems to be that a strut tower bar doesn’t do much on these cars. I have no personal experience with that though.

I do have the cabrio braces, and they seem to have quieted my dash rattles. I can’t say they made a noticeable difference in handling, but I’m not a pro.

 

Ideally...this (above) is a correct response as far as the strut bar is concerned..!
The strut is supposed to keep the shock towers apart. If it didn't do its job, the towers would slowly, to rapidly fold in toward the center of the chassis. A "STRAIGHT" (don't buy a bar with a bend in it..!) strut bar will keep this from happening...under most normal situations..! Crashing doesn't count.
The side braces will be basically the same. Visually, nothing will happen if they are doing their job.
Aside from "possibly" fewer squeeks, grone's, mone's out of the car.

Mike

 

I know it is an older thread, but rather than start as new one...

Any reason you can't do both the tower brace and the cabrio braces?

 

Nope, though a lot of the strut tower braces have clearance issues on the R50.

 

I have an R53 with a tower brace, but anything to stiffen the chassis - especially if it limits rattles - is welcome.

Thanks!

 

I have just about all the support braces you can have.

 

I have both.

Plus an X brace.

X brace and strut tower brace made a significant difference in stiffening up chassis.

I put on the cabrio braces later. Didn't notice any difference in chassis rigidity or noise reduction.