Maybe a stupid question, and since this has spiraled a bit, I'll help keep up the momentum...

Could there be enough chassis bend with a car not jacked up evenly to make the alignment of a brace not fit correctly? Obviously even a mm could make a difference in being able to align the bolt holes. (Mark, I think you know where I might be coming from).

 

To answer the above question
YES
As the chasis ages, and aquires more milage it may begin to slightly "loosen" and not be as tight as it was stock, therfore, on an older car the benefit may be more noticable ( returning lost stiffness and then some). It has been my experience that my brace was easier to fit to my car with only 1000 or so miles than it was to fit to Utah's car which is broken in, which would suggest loss of chasis rigidity over time. I think that the brace (any x brace) would eliminate this condition by not allowing the chasis to begin to flex, and loosen up. Long story short, it may very well keep the chasis as crisp as it was new, in addition to adding some stiffness, but only time will tell.
Mark

 

If the chassis can flex over time, so can the x-brace. All metal fatigues as it ages (from flexing over and over again even if slight). I don't think it would be possible to keep the car feeling new after a few years.

I lifted my car with a floorjack placed under the front end. I placed two jack stands, both set to the same height, in the same location on both sides of the car. So the entire front end of my car was raised equally (approximately). I had a little problem with a couple of the fastening bolts lining up when installing my x-brace. It took me a few tries (loosening and re-tightening the bolts) before everything fit better.

I later wondered if it would be better to install the x-brace with all four tires on the ground which would put the chassis "under load" or if it's better to have the wheels dangle.

 

I have 4,500 miles on mine and I know it settled a bit. The dip at the end of the road I used to barely clear. Now I have to go at a slight angle to clear it. I had some difficulty in putting on the brace which I attribute to my two jackstands being about 5-6" different from front to back. Due to this I had to tap the threads on one location. Mark sent me a new bolt set (thanks Mark). My second effort was 4 wheels on the ground. All bolts are easily accessable in this position. I used my jeep jack to slide the x-brace over and up. In addition I loosened the other four bolts which hold the stock cross bar bracket on. With these bolts loose the X-Brace bolted right in. And once again I can tell the difference.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Silver Bullet
[B]If the chassis can flex over time, so can the x-brace.

 

After installing an X-brace onn my car, the immediate difference I felt was the responsiveness going in and out of turns. No extra oversteer or understeer, just firm feedback and a lot less "give"...as if our car was not stiff already.

The difference is noticible in day to day driving. Even when doing lane changes, I can feel the difference. And when taking real sweeping turns and tight corners at speed, the sense of confidence the feedback instills is amazing. I can definitely do yurns at much higher speeds and still feel absolutely stable. Speaking of stability... the stability you feel on rougher roads is an added bonus!

In case you havent figured it out, I highly recommend this upgrade to everyone

 

Got mine installed last night, took her out for a moonlight drive and noticed a big difference in cornering. The front weight feels as if it is directly over the wheels rather than just behind them when you power thru the turn. Its a quicker, more confident feel to the steering.

Our S2K has 16,000+ miles. I used 2 jackstands at front. The last screw, no matter where I tried it was a hard fit. Took some time to get it aligned. I spent about an hour on it from pull-in to pull-out.

Mark

This is an awesome piece of work. Thanks for all your hard work on it. It is worth every penny

 

I would like to know if anyone with the X-brace as a larger front sway bar.

The sway bar makes a large difference to this car on the track - where it matters, IMHO.

 

pfb, Rick, and James all have the Mugen bar in addition to my brace, though pfb usually runs the Spoon brace, and Rick and James PREVIOUSLY had the Spoon braces on their cars.
Mark

 

I've got a strut tower bar, mark's x brace and a mugen 31.8 sway bar on order, give me a week or two and I can give you another opinion,

I agree that the x brace is tight. I lifted up just the front and the rear two screws you need to do a little man handling to get them to fit the holes properly, but then I'm pushing 54k on the car too.

 

Here's my opinion:

A-W-E-S-O-M-E !!!

This thing makes a HUGE difference cornering, over bumps (much more stable), and on any curve in the road. If I were to say "what is the best aftermarket addition under $5K" it would most definitely be this brace! Awesome.... oh, I already said that. It's feels like a whole new car.

I'm sure everyone's brace works very good but this thing is so darn pretty and so well made.... need I say more. I won't say I kept it next to my bed for two days before I installed it. It's confirned.... I didn't say that.


HELPFUL INSTALL TIPS:
Installed mine at a local gas station with the wheels dangling (I dont think it matters). Keep in mind this thing is engineered so tight it doesn't want to go on unless you are determined (whoopie 10 whole minutes!).

As instructed start the two front bolts first (by hand). Keep, at all times, the brace pushed snuggly against the car. Hand start the back bolts until they bite (a few turns). Make sure the brace is fully pressed against the car still begin to tighten all (4) bolts in a pattern as directed by instructions.

Here's the tricky part:
As you tighten all bolts with a rachet make sure the shroud (large head) of the hex head bolts begin to seat correctly into the opening in the brace mtg holes. At this time the brace will try to push itself away from the car. That's okay as long as the hex head shrouds remain seated within the large brace openings. If they're not or they push out, loosen ALL bolts and start again. If you don't you will strip something. It will be tight but if something doesn't seem just right simply start all over again!

I give it a 10+!