I have yet to observe this happening myself. It's not a complaint we've had to field at corporate headquarters to my knowledge.

 

1- Does it fit a 2009 JCW with stock exhaust?

2- Is it a direct bolt on or do you have to remove or modify parts of the car to get this to fit?

The instruction link on your web-site is not working.
Ronnie948

 

+1! Good question.

I think I do remember someone saying it just bolts on to existing bolt points.

 

I've only seen it mentioned by OldRick, for an R53: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post2658299 (post # 114).

 

TSW helped me install the X-Brace today. It bolts entirely to existing connections (4) and takes 5 min to install.

The improvement is a lot more significant than I expected.

Torque steer is almost non-existent, cornering is much more stable and even at low speeds the car feels more planted and connected to the road.

Even if you're not interested in modding out your mini, I'd suggest it since it's so easy to install. It really improves the OEM experience of fighting the wheel every time you put your foot down :P

I was really surprised with how large of an improvement it made. I've got the stock S suspension.

R56 w/ Alta CAI, TSW X-Brace, Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires.

 

It's a direct bolt in... Takes all of about 10 minutes! We designed it to fit as close to the underbody as possible, while providing clearance for OEM and aftermarket exhaust setups.

Thanks for pointing out the link issue... We'll have to fix it!

 

I guess some people are super sensitive to things like NVH? I certainly didn't see any difference, and I have the original prototype that was insanely over-engineered and is probably 1.5x the stiffness of the current production models.

We've sold hundreds of the R50/R53 brace and are selling the R56 braces briskly - this is the first I've seen someone say it added 'too much' NVH. Most people refuse to take them off their cars...

 

I don't mean to sound weird but how on earth does and under body brace effect torque steer???? That's like saying my rear wing makes my sinroof open faster... Now holding the car to the ground I can see but I don't honestly see how an xbrace would help with torque steer...

 

It really is shocking how much of an effect it does have. If I could explain it better I'd offer one up.

I'll leave that to the experts though

 

First, our cars don't "technically" have tourque steer, well, not as bad as you think anyway. As Ryephile pointed out in some post somewhere in NAM land, it is the twisting/deflection of the front control arm bushings that produce an effect pretty much identical to torque steer. So yeah, it's kind of a moot point, but, I wanted to point that out.

Anyway, if tourque steer is caused by one wheel getting more torque than the other, this would conceivably also twist/pull/whatever the chassis at the same time. This brace helps prevent chassis flex/twist, so, it could conceivably help prevent torque steer. Now, how much is up for debate. But I am no expert, this is just an educated (somewhat) opinion.

One more opinion can't hurt. I'm sure someone will chime in soon with a real explanation.

 

I believe that the increase in directional stability of the car when the X-brace is added is due to the added bracing. The new bracing increases the stiffness of the subframe/unibody bolted assembly, and this reduces the unintentional deflection of the front wheels under acceleration.

I agree that the deflection of the front control arm bushings is the major contributor to wheel deflection under load. Heck, you can jack up the car and kick the tire in a fore-aft direction and witness the movement (with someone holding the steering wheel). It seems that the frame moves enough, though, that the second-order effects are significant.

 

helpful! Thanx!

Think the xbrace would b a good addition for my coilovers? The spring rates are higher than most coilovers.... 450lb/in

 

Absolutely - we run those rates (and higher) on our coilovers - you'll definitely notice a difference (and maybe more so).

 

man.. more i read about this x brace.. im really considering it...

as you can see from my suspension setup, only thing i want is more rigid frame

 

Has anyone ever installed the x-brace with the factory aero kit? If so, does the undermount aero trays require modification. Pictures appreciated!

 

I just installed the TSW X-Brace on my 2009 JCW today. It bolts up very easily and clears the stock exhaust just fine.

I notice a very slight increase in road noise with the brace installed (but very slight). Hard acceleration is seems noticeably more stable. I like it!

- Brian

 

I haven't noticed any increase in road noise. I do own an '07 MCS though. Not a 2009 JCW like brian.

Not doubting your result Brian

 

I've sold and installed several of these and haven't had one person complain of road noise, but everyone has loved the handling improvement. I give it a thumbs up.

 

Love the TSW brace. After removing the Eibach springs (which had replaced the H&R's) and installing the JCW suspension I found the car had a little more body roll than I liked. The TSW brace has fixed that and more.

 

I just installed my TSW Brace this morning, 10 minute job, fit perfectly and boy what a difference. This brace has tamed the torque steer and the whole responsiveness to steering input has improved. I would highly recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a mod that improves steering and handling.

 

thanks for the input. How is your car lowered? I eliminated the wheel gap on my Mini using BC Coilovers and was wondering if it would be an issue of installing this X-brace if my car was too low? I recall that someone in the "Market Place" sold their X-brace because he said his car was too low and was hoping it wouldn't be an issue...

 

I don't know exactly how much it lowers the bottom of the car, but I'm on stock suspension and I have to be careful over speed bumps. I have scraped the bottom a few times in the last 2 months.

You are probably already more cautious of these kinds of things anyway if you're lowered already.

 

I've got the JCW suspension and I bottomed out on one speed bump. I just go slowly and it is fine. Small price to pay for the improved handling IMHO.

 

I was the one who posted my X-Brace for sale. I have my MCS lowered to where I have the rear wheels tucked. I honestly had about 3/4" to 1" of clearance from the "hump" on the X-Brace to the ground. So if you ride slammed I would be weary. It does drop the bottom of the car a decent amount. So be careful.
Here is a pic of how low I roll.

 

Thread resurrection time.

Bought my TSM X-brace from Way and installed it on Wednesday. With factory ride height, you could actually install it without raising the car. Silly simple install. A 16mm socket on a 1/2" drive is all you need, seriously.

The good - the car feels more 'planted' when turning. Track day at Putnam Park on 7/30. LIKE!

The so-so - I have a little intermittent chatter like something is banging on the x-brace just as a load is placed on the engine. I think it is the exhaust (Invidia Q300 from the downpipe to tips) may be touching hitting the X brace. Doesn't look close when engine is off or at idle. odd.

Further investigation and remedy tomorrow.

Overall impression - DO IT!

Bob