Suspension Lower Brace by OMP
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From: Tejas
My little dose of LITHIUM
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From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Oh, come on Texas -- just release the product and let us beta for you! I've been holding off for months waiting. It's not like you're from Colorado... Sell me one....
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From: Tejas
Two, if it doesn't fit, same deal...
Pardon us for ensuring fitment, testing, and taking our time to get it right!
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From: Tejas
Here's a teaser of what's in store, a beta version drawing clipped from SolidWorks... I'll leave it to your imagination as to where it mounts... This perspective doesn't give away too much, but you can at least get a rough idea. Also, keep in mind that this drawing is just a rough idea of the finished product...
The big issue was finding someone who wanted to make it, given the bends, junctions, and angles involved. It requires a whole lot of patience for making a jig, as well as a willingness to adhere to the drawing and tolerances spec'd out by Dr. Mike.
After searching and searching, we literally found someone down the road a piece that specializes in tubing work that wanted to make it (he makes custom headers, cages, etc.) - everyone else balked, except Roush, who wanted a literal fortune to manufacture it. We checked out our local guy's work, and it's flippin' gorgeous. The proto will be a bit rougher than the final version given that we didn't want to pop for the exact die to bend the tubing right off, but we'll shoot pics of it installed. Production versions will be made with a newly purchased die, have ridiculously good welds, and be really, really schweet.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,196
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From: Hampton, VA
I'll once again offer my car.
'02 MINI. Magnaflow exhaust. Currently running the OMP lower brace and as of this coming Sunday I'll have your AST setup on my car prepped and corner balanced.
3 autocross events in both Sept and Oct.
Pick me pick me
'02 MINI. Magnaflow exhaust. Currently running the OMP lower brace and as of this coming Sunday I'll have your AST setup on my car prepped and corner balanced.
3 autocross events in both Sept and Oct.
Pick me pick me
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
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I just bought the OMP from RallyNuts. The bar is cheap but it will cost you about the same to ship. Still under $100 though. I "seems" to stick better in hard corners and long curves at high speeds. For some reason it "seems" to ride smoother. Maybe it tighens up the front and makes the struts do their job. Don't know, not a professional that is why I posted "seems".
I would like to see what Tex comes up with but right now the OMP is the better bang for the buck (or pound if you order from the UK ).
Good luck,
Frodo
I would like to see what Tex comes up with but right now the OMP is the better bang for the buck (or pound if you order from the UK
). Good luck,
Frodo
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2005
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From: San Francisco
I also bought mine from RallyNuts, two years ago when the exchange rate was better. $75 SHIPPED (from the UK!), and they sent it by express mail -- the USPS actually delivered it on a Sunday!
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
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I bought mine from a vendor who was moving from Dallas to Houston and was clearing out inventory. $65 or $70 cash.
I particularly notice the bar when I am in a tight corner and there is a bit of sand or grit on the road surface. The juttering of the front tires as they slip is greatly reduced... they seem to keep better aligned to the road surface and the whole event is much more predictable and solid feeling. They still slip, but you know exactly where they are going and can feel better when they will let go and when they will grip again.
Just my impression. No hard data. I'd still pay the $70 again.
I particularly notice the bar when I am in a tight corner and there is a bit of sand or grit on the road surface. The juttering of the front tires as they slip is greatly reduced... they seem to keep better aligned to the road surface and the whole event is much more predictable and solid feeling. They still slip, but you know exactly where they are going and can feel better when they will let go and when they will grip again.
Just my impression. No hard data. I'd still pay the $70 again.
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
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Here is the link if you have trouble finding it (for some reason its hard to find and you have to just search OMP brace).
http://rallynuts.com/motorsport/_159..._Mini_1817.asp
Remember GP pounds are about 2:1 so check the exchange rate. Good luck
Frodo
http://rallynuts.com/motorsport/_159..._Mini_1817.asp
Remember GP pounds are about 2:1 so check the exchange rate. Good luck
Frodo
but read the thread! Virtually nothing but positive comments on the OMP. I think from those that have owned one, mine was the only negative in that w/ lowering springs ('bout an inch) and w/ low profile tires 215/40/17, the brace design dipping down as it does reduces clearance even further so that the brace ended up hitting things in the road that passed BETWEEN my wheels (Longboard: Speedbumps not a factor in this argument 
)...to the point where the bar bent and altered the allignment.That said, however, even w/ "sport suspension"
, upper strut brace, rear stress bar & 22mm rear sway bar, I now severely miss the feel & confidence gained by the OMP every time I throw myself into a curve!
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From: Tejas
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From: As far away from Florida as I can get.
You guys have a price point on that yet?
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From: Tejas
Prototype is done... we're picking it up tomorrow... I'll post a pic tonight of the prototype, which will give you a rough idea of what it looks like. We'll be testing fitting tomorrow and this weekend...
We're still negotiating on the final production price with our local supplier, but the prototype came in less than we expected...
We're still negotiating on the final production price with our local supplier, but the prototype came in less than we expected...
