Ok, took my wife out to dinner (her birthday :)) at Benihana's (very good food and they sure put on a show for ya). Stuffed myself to death with lobster, steak, shrimp, and fried rice so I thought I would install my X brace, get some exercise, and see how it feels. Note, I have NOT installed the Spoon x brace (because it was a b!tch to put on I gave up after about 30 minutes lying on my back after my earlier post)before on my car.

http://www.importdevelopment.net/ima..._install01.jpg

http://www.importdevelopment.net/ima..._install02.jpg

After torquing the bolts to the specified setting, I warmed up the car and took her out. First reaction right when I got out of my garage door was "ho!" "hey hey!" :D. The car's front end felt like a different beast completely. Can't describe that feeling, but you know it's there. This almost feels like the first time I drove my 99 Maxima with the front STB on - Solid, almost a (blasphemy!) German car type feel. Ok, took her over a few bumps, she handled it quite well thank you. Took her onto Sawtelle blvd., it's 12:30am and nobody is around, so I increased the speed to about 35 (posted speed limit) and started weaving left and right like Michael Schumacher (ok, maybe not quite) trying to warm up his tires. The car's front end felt completely solid, even more so than before.

Took my baby on a couple of U turns, high speed left/right patterns, over to Ralph's parking lot with the speed bumps, everything about the front end now seems more solid.

That's my first hand reaction. Model #002 will go to Elements (perhaps with some slight modifications to the gussets) who will test it out I hope AFTER he drove around in his car without the brace for a day or so to get acquainted, then put it on to see the difference. I'm hoping Tom Fota will be on hand during some of the testing as he is one of the more experienced drivers among us in SoCal.

I have to say that so far I feel really good about this.

cdelena, silversurfer, loki, nvmys2k, and pinky, thank you all very much for the installation tip! You guys are right: only put the bolts in enough to keep it in place, then secure them. :)

Mingster,

Thanks for keeping us all posted on the progress...I, for one, am interested in purchasing what you come up with.

I second that Mac.

Mingster, I have been happy with your prouducts. When it's ready put me down for one as well. Thanks

any differences in weight vs the spoon x-brace?

We'll find out next week when I pick up 002 for Elements.