you could apply strain gauges to measure mechanical stresses on the frame. i did a similar thing to make a digital bathroom scale in school.

 

I was in the discussion for about five or ten minutes, and Greg Stevens was not participating at the time. IMHO, any brace makes a substantial difference, and the Dirgrappa an even greater one. Will this end up being another CAI debate?

The fact that the Digrappa brace cannot be installed unless the entire car is on jack stands and level suggests to me that there's a lot of twist in the chassis to contend with. If there wasn't, you could install Mark's brace with, say, only one front wheel jacked up, or only one side of the car. But you can't because there's so much flex the attachment points move out of alignment. That's enough proof for me that the chassis needs to be stiffened, thank you, and that the x-braces help do the job. I don't need any other tests, cause it's good old common sense, which sometimes is in very short supply around here. And I love the idea that we're going to settle this with a public opinion poll.

 

Just playing Devil's Advocate here...

I understand what MAY seem to make as difference in the example of the car "flexing" while it's being jacked up. This, however, to my mind, doesn't necessarily mean that the car moves (flexes) in the same manner under load in the real world. Just because there is some small amount of play there doesn't have to mean that tightening it up will make a huge difference as it may never move that way when your pushing the car...

See what I mean?

I have no dog in this fight, I'm just really trying to assess the actual benefit of this piece. And I suppose that if you accept the premise that there is this flex that you would get the stiffest brace. And just looking at, for example, the Spoon brace compared to Mark D's brace, it's pretty clear that Mark's is going to have greater structural rigidity. It also looks like a beautifully finished piece, as well...which is nice, since you see it every time you change the oil... (sorry, couldn't resist)

That said, and I'm not throwing rocks at anyone, I think that it is next to impossible to "feel" a difference between any of these braces. If there is a difference in any of them, it's got to be too minute to feel in the seat of your pantalones. It's along the lines of someone saying they can "feel" a 2 horsepower gain, when in fact, that is also next to impossible. No, it's not next to impossible, it's just impossible...

I haven't voted in this poll. I remain deeply curious and open...

So, driving around, what should one notice about this piece? Like the Comptech STB that I have, the only thing that I noticed was it shimmied less on rough roads and over rail road tracks. At the track? No difference...whatsoever.

Hmmm....


Bueller?

 

I also have an x-brace on my car and I noticed the difference right when I backed out of my driveway. Its a mod that you can significantly feel on your day to day commute and especially when there are imperfections in the road. I have driven my car back to back with a stock car and the car with the x-brace drives that much smoother. The brace seems to hold the car together even better than stock, the quick vibration of the chassis from running over railroad tracks is completely gone, the car seems to move in one piece now. I haven't noticed any big differences in handling though, I have autocrossed the car with and without the brace. This was my first mod on the car and I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone because: a) Its not expensive b) It significantly stabilizes the car on bumps c) Can be easily removed d) Does not void your warranty. For those out there that don't have this mod, find out from a local member who does and do a back to back comparison, you won't be disappointed.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mdigrappa
[B]Greg
I would love to give my input, but I feel that most of the board would think that my opinion is biased, which it very well may be.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by NSXS
[B]

All opinions are biased since they are based on personal judgments.

 

Doesn't the x-brace bump you out of SCCA A Stock?

Conceptually, I think it makes a difference. I have no doubt that seat of the pants (or palm of the gloves in this case), it makes a positive difference also. But if it actually improves performance, I have yet to find the appropriate proof.

 

Yes

 

As will most aftermarket wheels, bored throttle bodies, a strut tower braces, coil-overs, and even (technically) a voodoo shift knob.

 

Greg: I realized what you were looking for after I read your original more carefully. Obviously, I can't make an opinion on the actual performance of the brace without it installed - so I missed your real point - thanks for clearing it up.

BTW: If its been a while since you've been here, you wouldn't recognize Friendswood. West Bay Area now extends from I-45 through FM 518. Clear Lake is completely built out and this is the extension areas along the FM 528 corridor. I live in Autumn Creek, which is at FM 528 and West Bay Area. Right now, its the southern part of Friendswood that is developing quickly. Friendswood proper will take some time to develop the infrastructure to support this growth, so it should be interesting.