For those who have these products, which is more effective in reinforcing or minimizing flex: the strut tower brace or the underside brace?

 

Both....go for the OMP set.

Stay away from the M7 set.

 

I don't have an underside brace, but from all reviews that i've ever read, it seems that the underside brace does far more for chassis stiffness than the Upper bar (Strut Tower Brace)

TSW just brought out an underside chassis brace, so that's something to consider

 

On my convertible, I've had an OMP lower bar and it was a good enhancement. Later I switched to the M7 USS and it was even better, by a good margin. I have no experience with the new TSW brace but from a design standpoint it would be my top choice. The OMP with its low price is good bang for the buck.

 

Mini-madness has a new USS (made of Cro-Moly) too.
No I am not ready to spend on that yet as I would really like to save for a lighter wheel + non RF tire or RMW tune should the opportunity arise.
I raised this question just for knowledge sake.

 

M7 uss really tightens the feel of your car. As well as top brace but I got to protect from shrooming. Have not seen the OMP one or driven on one installed.

 

I also have the OMP set, and they work very well indeed,

If you want the full Monty, Mini-Madness has a new exclusive welded lower brace that looks like a much better design than the bolted-together M7 lower-brace.
http://www.mini-madness.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=309

 

Hard to say. I noticed a stark difference when I had installed just the upper brace alone. Then a bit more when I installed the USS.

I'd say, the upper M7 brace is a must-have thanks to the thick plates that may help prevent mushrooming. The TSW under-brace looks very nice and though I have not tried it, I like them so far as a company (I have their springs), and would recommend them as well as M7 based on the dealings I've had with both vendors.

Both have been very communicative and helpful.

 

I installed the OMP upper brace a couple of weeks later than their lower one. Of the two, I'd say that the lower brace did more for feel and handling than the upper, although I did not try the upper without the lower.

 

Great question You will notice more of a handling improvement with a lower brace system than you will with the upper brace which is to be expected as it is more extensive as well as more expensive . This is not to say the upper brace does not have a value , far from it . Your questions asks which makes the biggest difference. Of the systems which have recently come along the M7 is the only one which deals with 3 separate locations on the car and therefore will be a more extensive install by least another 15 min . From what the previous posters who actually have the product have said it does work and are not just speculating . If you have an Alta or Miltec exhaust there will be a contact issue at the resonator so I would not recommend using the two products together . It depends on your priorities as to which you should go with should this be the case. Feel free to call if you have any further questions .

Randy
M7 tuning

818 497 4341
10am to 11pm PST
Seven days a week

 

We're glad to hear that you like it

 

I did the M7 USS and noticed a difference right away. Then did the M7 brace mainly for the strut tower reinforcing. Didn't notice much of a difference in handling. But I would do both again anyway.

 

I have the M7 STB and it is very substantial; no mushrooming at all. It also made the handling more taut. I recently added the TSW X-brace and noticed further improvement. I can't say which I think on its own would be the better item for the purpose that was queried here, but it may also matter which model you speak of too, as I have the Cabrio. Both vendors treated me super and I have had several dealings with M7; even when I was unhappy with a product from them, they stepped up and worked it out and made it easy.

 

Love the M7 USS -- felt absolutely no difference/benefit from the STB. As others have noted, the M7 reinforcement plates are great to prevent mushrooming (that's why I got the STB), but you can buy those indipendently and save the money from the tower brace towards an underside brace or USS.

 

There is one more brace you can add to further stiffen the chassis.If you look under the hood of a convertible you'll see a short (about 6-8 inches) tubular brace that links the strut tow to the frame rail of the chassis. They're about $25 a piece from the dealer and install easily. I have these and both the M7 USS and STB on my car. It's been a while since I installed these but I still remember what a difference they made. I'd rank the USS as the biggest contributor. A stiff chassis is always a good thing.

 

CAP49, do you know the part number for the braces that you are talking about?

 

DIAGONAL ROD, RIGHT
51617123516

DIAGONAL ROD, LEFT
51617123515

 

I ahve the M7 underbrace kit and a JCW tower brace and incrementally they have made a big difference....personally, I would do both..in my opinion this is the first improvement you should make..

 

Go with the OMP set-up for the lower one. It is actually located where it will do some real work. You could also go with the new TSW or Madness brace that expands on the OMP design.

 

We have both of them!
http://www.mini-madness.com/index.as...S&Category=209

 

Another vote for: top brace does not produce noticeable effect. And I've had mine on and off and on and off many times. I have the M7. The plates are very nice insurance against mushrooming and highly recommended.
The lower brace, I have the TSW X-Brace, seems to produce noticeable effect: increased tautness and better transitions on rough roads. Highly recommended, but similar designs might be equivalent.

good luck,

 

Here is the OMP for $95: http://www.motorspotstore.com/lowerstrutbar.html

 

I second what eager2own said. Big difference from the USS and not really anything from the STB. If you are going to buy one, I'd get the USS. The STB was really about the plates for me.

 

The USS is not located on the car to really take advantage of the design.

Not much twist/deformation in the tunnel under the body. Advantage would be under the front suspension.

 

Thanks for the overwhelming positive responses from those that have actually realized an improvement from the USS . Nothing beats guesswork like actual experience I wanted to take this opertunity to mention that we are also close to finishing up a similar set up for the R-56 and will put those details out as they become available.

Randy
M7 Tuning