how hard would it really be to make an x-brace if you had access to a welder and all the metal pieces you would ever want. i mean is there a real "science" involved here or is it just a piece of metal that goes between the bolts and stiffens the chassis. i dont really see the point of paying over $200 for something that i can weld up in 20 minutes. and before someone gives me an answer like "the alluminum one only weighs 6 lbs." i dont care that much about weight it isnt that big of a deal. "100 lbs.=1/10sec. in a 1/4 mile" thats just what they say you know.

 

"If you build it, they will come"

 

A better question is whether the brace actually does anything.

 

there are tons of people out there that swear by it. i just thought of one more thing, my buddy can powdercoat it for free. so now it is a $300 value.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ex-eclipse
there are tons of people out there that swear by it.

 

 

Making a one off brace is not that hard. If you have the skills you can do it. It is harder to source the bolts then to make an "X" out of metal. Hitting the mounting points is important, so skills at measuring will matter.

I would do it like this. Make the mounting points first, and bolt them inplace. The measure between them. Cut the tube stock to fit. Tack weld the first piece in place. Now measure between the first cross bar, and one mount point. Cut the tub stoc to fit and tack weld into place. Repeat for the other side. Now remove it and weld it properly. And a gusset between the cross sections and weld into place. Reinstall it and see is it still fits right.

Now clean it up and send it out to be powder coated.

That is how I see it, and just about anyone with the skills can do it. he problem is that most do not have the skills or the access to the tools needed to make something like this. If you had to pay someone to make it for you, it would be more then buying one already made. Remember time is money, yours, theirs and anyones.

I don't even mow my own lawn, I can't do it better or cheaper then the local lawn crews can. For $20 bucks, the mow, edge and bag my 10,000sqft yard in 15 mins. It takes me more then 2hours to do the same thing. And at this point any McJob (new Websters word) pays better then that.

 

The hardest part is manufacturing the cups (mounting points) on all four ends as a high degree of precision is required in that area. You need your finished product to be within accurate specs when it comes to fitting so you have to make up a jig to hold the pieces in place while welding. It only takes a couple of ml out and your brace won't fit the car.

I personally am not that good a welder and concur with Stratocaster that it would take more of my time than I would save in expenses to manufacture my own.

 

Have you actually tried a before and after test on your car or do you just like cranking up a controversy?

 

if i make the cups and bolt them to the car and then fit the "x" part in and tack weld it on the car then it will fit without a question. i know that for sure, i just wanted to know if there is something special about the one that you buy or is it just a piece of metal? making it fit is not a problem, you can make anything fit when it comes to metal. if not then into the scrap pile it goes and start all over. if i could find the base to start from i would make my own header. i have access to a pipe bender but i need the base part that bolts onto the head. i could make that but it would be hard and time consuming. then again, i could mess around in the shop every night and have a few beers and eventually i would have it right and still have $1200 in my pocket.