Text only | Text with Images

MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Performance Related => Topic started by: Anonymous on August 5, 2003, 15:23

Title: Front strut brace differences
Post by: Anonymous on August 5, 2003, 15:23
I know there has been much discussion regarding front strut braces, can someone remind me of the main differences between the TRD and Cusco front strut braces?  

Cheers   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

Neil
Title: Re: Front strut brace differences
Post by: Anonymous on August 5, 2003, 15:44
Quote from: "Rigsey"I know there has been much discussion regarding front strut braces, can someone remind me of the main differences between the TRD and Cusco front strut braces?  

Cheers   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

Neil

TRD is much stronger but heavier, I prefer the TRD bar myself.
Title:
Post by: mph on August 6, 2003, 00:15
The TRD FSB is: heavier; more expensive; unable to use lid; easy access to brake fluid; more cutting of the cover required.

The TRD bar is a welded inline bar between the struts and can in no way perform an elastic deformation; the Cusco uses two pins and a bar with two angles in it. IMO, this makes the Cusco far easier to deform under load - however whether there is enough load passed through it to cause it to do so has never been proven.
Title:
Post by: Anonymous on August 6, 2003, 00:30
Quote from: "mph"The TRD FSB is: heavier; more expensive; unable to use lid; easy access to brake fluid; more cutting of the cover required.

Easy way to avoid cutting the plastic is to just get rid of the plastic and the lid, it just pops out anyway.  All its doing is adding extra weight.

I WOULD go for the TRD bar, BUT i've found the PR Bar made by Hong, its lighter than the TRD (no bends) but stronger than the Cusco.  I also trust Hong to make a good bar and know he knows what he is doing.

EDIT -  m http://www.pelicanracing.com/sst.htm (http://www.pelicanracing.com/sst.htm) m

Only problem is Hong isnt making them at the mo, I know him and he's going to make the front and rear for me as one offs.
Title:
Post by: Tem on August 6, 2003, 07:04
I actually drove around without the plastic cover around the front bin for a month or so, but it lets a LOT more dirt in the front bin than with it. Never got any water or anything bigger, but a lot of dirt and dust. Might not matter to everyone, but I put my groceries in there and some are in open bags...so I don't really want the dirt from the road to make it's way in there  s:) :) s:)

Btw, I saw a pic on Spyderchat of the lid in place with the TRD FSB. Apparently you just need to cut the lid from the top edge of the bulge. Haven't tried it myself, I don't really need the lid...it just makes things easier when I don't have it on. If you need the lid, I'd try to heat it and bend it so that it would clear the FSB...no idea if it works, that's just how I'd try it.
Title:
Post by: markiii on August 8, 2003, 14:50
For anyone wondering we tried my strut brace on Steves 03 last night.

The effect is cumulative. definately worth getting both, the extra grip was insane and not a sign of understeer.

I'll let Steve comment further.
Title:
Post by: SteveJ on August 8, 2003, 15:08
Quote from: "markiii"For anyone wondering we tried my strut brace on Steves 03 last night.

The effect is cumulative. definately worth getting both, the extra grip was insane and not a sign of understeer.

I'll let Steve comment further.

Only 2 things I can say -

1)  s:crazyeyes: :crazyeyes: s:crazyeyes:   s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:

2) Anybody lend me £250?
Title:
Post by: Liz on August 8, 2003, 15:28
So remind me again - what ones have you got Mark? think this is my 100th post - whoop ding!  s:roll: :roll: s:roll:
Title:
Post by: markiii on August 8, 2003, 15:48
front and rear upper strut brace.

don't worry about the rear too much unless you get a good price (as discussed at JAE) as the front makes far more difference.

heres the front;

 m http://www.spydermagazine.com/2001/Apri ... nstall.htm (http://www.spydermagazine.com/2001/April/trd_front_strut_brace_install.htm) m
Title:
Post by: Comer on August 8, 2003, 17:02
Has the TRD bar changed? In those Spyderchat pics the brake fluid tank lid is still obstructed by the bar.

I'm sure I've seen pics of a bar with an opening to enable access???
Title:
Post by: markiii on August 8, 2003, 17:07
there are 2 versions. the LHD as pictured and the RHD as sported by yours truly which has the hoop to clear the brake resovoir.
Title:
Post by: Comer on August 22, 2003, 22:02
An alternative to TRD and Cusco - JIC Strut Bar. Cheap price but is it cheap quality?

http://www.takakaira.co.jp/asp/template.asp?cat=2&id=948&prodID=QRrNoOojlKmipLk
Title:
Post by: markiii on August 23, 2003, 01:08
I'd say as good as the cusco
Title:
Post by: Anonymous on August 26, 2003, 09:52
Yep, looks pretty much identical in design and materials as the Cusco.

Since anything is better than nothing, and the price is a bargain, I'd say try it...
Title:
Post by: Jap GT300 on August 26, 2003, 11:24
QuoteAn alternative to TRD and Cusco - JIC Strut Bar. Cheap price but is it cheap quality?

 m http://www.takakaira.co.jp/asp/template ... OojlKmipLk (http://www.takakaira.co.jp/asp/template.asp?cat=2&id=948&prodID=QRrNoOojlKmipLk) m

RAS design looks good straight bar with 2 bolt mounting points either side.

I've just ordered one!
Title:
Post by: Anonymous on August 26, 2003, 12:37
RAS? The JIC bar is available in OAS and OCS variants   s:? :? s:?
Title:
Post by: Jap GT300 on August 26, 2003, 13:01
You got me panicking!

Order No. 32575 (RAS Style strut) MR-S

I think this should be the most affective/strongest style.
Title:
Post by: Anonymous on August 26, 2003, 15:52
Quote from: "Jap GT300"Order No. 32575 (RAS Style strut) MR-S

That's a rear bar...
Title:
Post by: Jap GT300 on August 27, 2003, 07:19
Uh Oh  s:( :( s:(  

Thanks Phil, That'll teach me for doing it in a rush at work.  I'll have to order a front as well.
Text only | Text with Images