OldRick
Sorry that you missed this the first time. I really like the fact that this mid brace is tying the front subframe together and may be a better aproach than the "X" brace location. Seeing as you are the only one with experiance on all three styles I don't know of anyone better suited to evaluate this brace . I am not a big fan of a lot of the posted results from MINI2. IMHO there seems to be a lacking of subjective data.
I examined the underside of my GP paneling today and there may be enough room to install this, without any alteration, with the stock exhaust manifold providing that no spacers were required. If an aftermarket header, such as RMW, were installed I am not sure that it would fit with the spacers added.
Rick I am hoping that you may be tempted to try this as I can not find any data that appears to be reliable.
Steve

 

Tempted, Yes, but I may do a RYO version.

 

@ OldRick
thanks for the good comparison

till now i used a "omp" style bar: ( after the original omp bar got destroyed i build my own aluminium version )


but after reading your post i decided i should upgrade it a little
selfmade v.2: ( sorry for the big but crappy pic -_- )


i didnt get much driving done today but as far as the sound issue goes: i didnt notice any changes... ( but my car is already pretty loud, that could be why )
i cant say anything about the handling yet ( bad weather an shitty winter tires ) but as soon as i tested that i let you know

 

Does anyone know if the RMW street header will clear the X-brace? That's the only thing that's keeping me from pulling the trigger on one.

 

Old Rick,

Thanks for that extensive write-up...all very good and helpful information. Now for my experience with NVH and my X-brace...I can not say that I notice any appreciable difference. Though, I may be a little more immune to it than you. I do have both lower engine and tranny poly inserts, poly front control arm bushings, camber plates, no rear seats, and a lightweight flywheel..all which add some NVH. Though IMO all still with street car limits. I don't get complaints from the Gf, and thats the real test isn't it Its interesting how much more in tune some are with NVH.


Now on a different subject, why not do it all




Or how about a double x-brace

 

that would certainly be unique
but hey... why not

 

searocko: I've got the X brace on my car with the RMW street header and they clear each other completely, no issues at all.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the info.

 

I also have the X-brace and the RMW street header. And yes, at rest they clear just fine, maybe by as much as an inch. However, if you are running a high hp it is critical to have additional engine movement management (e.g. top engine damper, and/or lower bushing inserts). Otherwise, upon significant acceleration the engine will torque back, or rather rotate to the back enough for the bottom of the cat to smack the top of the X gussett on the X-brace.

This interference can cause crazy NVH which is not very pleasant.

 

Thanks for the additional info. I do have the TSW engine damper and I may consider adding the lower inserts. I'll see how it goes once I install it, then go from there.

 

Rick
OK I give up, what is a RYO version?

 

I might work with a local vendor on a Roll Your Own version. I would find it annoying to pay over US$55 just to ship one of GTT's pretty ones, which is what they quoted me. (39GBP)

 

Rick
Good one! Haven't heard that one since Woodstock.
I am glad your interest is peaked on this brace. I've been looking at this for some time and it seems like tying the front subframe and underbody together in this location may work out real well. Utilizing the four 12mm bols may even make it more secure than where the TSW is mounted. Wether or not you get the pretty one from GTT or RYO version the results should be the same.
Good luck, Steve

 

@ //MZero
v.3






it now weights 1,9kg. double that of an OMP ( 0,95kg )

 

Exceptionally nice!

 

STEVE

Someone on NAM has the mid-brace on a GP. I believe that with the spacers he didn't have to cut the panels. The spacers went under the panel I believe.
I think there's and old thread on this.

 

2mD...NICE!!!

 

thanks
i think im gone powdercoat it black ( after im sure i don't want to change anything anymore )

 

Larry
Thanks for the tip. I don't know how I would have missed that one but I will do a search.
Rick inspired me to look at it a little closer to think about making my own. Which material to use is my biggest concern. Looking at our underbody panels it appears that a material thickness of 5/16, width of 2", and appropriate length would fit nicely. Where the bolts go into the subframe there is a slight depression which would require a washer/spacer so the brace would fit flat. The under paneling is pretty flexible below the outer two bolts and the inner ones are no problem.
So to sum it up you would need four longer M12 x 1.5 grade 10.9 bolts, four washer/spacers to equal the depth of the cavity and a brace with four 12mm holes drilled in it of the appropriate length.
Roland, over at MINI2, said that someone installed his mid brace on a GP by drilling two holes thru the paneling on the outer two mounting holes and used the extended spacer kit so the brace ended up being mounted on the outside of the panel. The inner mounting holes already have sufficient clearance on the panels. If you went this route and wanted to return to stock some plastic plug caps would easily hide the holes.
Anyone have a suggestion on material and where to purchase it. I am of the opinion that a chrome moly steel may be better than aluminium.
Thanks, Steve

 

Steve
I have the GTT mid brace at home. Never installed on the GP. Got it for my old car and gave it to someone who had the same idea for his race car. Got it back a year later and forgot all about it.

 

newbs49,
I am thinking about making a brace for my GP. I would use in combination with the trapezoid front brace.
Can you please provide dimensions from the GTT brace.
Overall length.
Width.
Thickness.
Location of holes (distance from end and distance to each other).
Thickness at holes (where thinner for bolt mounting)
Depth of semi-circle cutout on center of edge (to miss exhaust)
Length of semi-circle cutout.

Steve,
I have been thinking that for the GP, maybe the brace could be made to replace the two stock braces (using all six bolts) and go across the chassis. That way it might be able to be installed under the panel without any spacers (flush on the floor pan). However, I have not looked closely to see if a brace mounted flush to the floor pan (without spacers) would clear the exhaust. I think it will hit the exhaust or will hit when the exhaust moves. If it can not be mounted flush, I was thinking the same as you about just drilling holes in the panels for the bolts to pass though, with spacers under the panel and brace on top of the panel. That way, as you suggested, the holes could be plugged if the brace is removed. However, the other thought that I had was that adding the brace will mess-up the nice air flow that the panels are trying to create. Thus, defeating the purpose of the panels and if so the panels might as well be removed. If the panels are removed, might as well go with the X-Brace.

Another thought I had was trying to get the brace to fit under the panels even with spacers. I think the panels will flex enough and the panels could be attached to the brace to keep the panel as flat as possible. That way the panels would be remove to install the brace, then the panels installed over the brace. Again, I have not tried this so I do not know what is feasible. I will need to get under the car with a board cut similar to the brace to see what is feasible.

 

If you make one up from steel, you can get thick metric-sized washer/spacers from www.mcmaster.com Tack-weld them in place, and avoid any potential slippage created by having one or more plain washers there.

 

Well, I had a good month of sales and not a lot of spare time, and no-one local was very interested in measuring and making one up for me, so I ordered the GTT lower mid-brace.

I intend to put some sorbothane material between the floorpan and the brace, to perhaps soak up some road noise.

Comments later, after receiving and installing...

 

Old Rick
After doing a price analysis I also did not think it was worthwhile to mfg myself so I also ordered one from GTT last week. I am guessing that it should probably be here today. After a close examination I believe it will fit under the GP underbody paneling without any alterations. It was a little unclear to me if spacers were required for the standard install. After talking to Roland it turns out that the extra spacer kit is only needed with some exhaust systems and that it should fit fine with the JCW exhaust.
Still waiting for the roads to be cleaned up from the salt so it may be a few weeks before I put the car back on the road and determine the results.
Steve

 

me three. i gave up on the same idea for the same reasons.

gtt is great to deal with. i like my occ. instal was easy, and quality very impressive. i bet that you won't have issues with the mid brace. i just couldn't convince myself to pay the shipping fees. let the reviews begin....