[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2kRob
[B]UtahS2k did the tests and this is what he relayed to me.

 

The only difference among currently available X-Braces is price. (Yea, I know some are a few grams lighter).

 

If you have an extra 2K I'll sell you a copy of the software needed to extract the data (i.e. Pro-Engineer or Catia)? Can't understand why your still the only one on the board which feels no difference with a X-Brace? Did you check to make sure the bolts were bottomed as I suggested?

Most folks here don't have a clue as to the difference between tension, compression, yield, ultimate yield, fatigue. Not talking down to anyone just making a note that we are talking about a complex metallurgical system. The real question here, if properly asked is whether the aluminum X-Brace will fatigue faster then the steel ones. The answer is clearly YES. How many cycles.....I won't go there.

 

You might be surprised...

 

What? Don't put words in my mouth!

I installed the Spoon brace long ago (before you bought your S2000) and have reported the changes more than once. Do a search or two.

What I am questioning is the difference in performance between the three designs.. show me the proof!

 

Sorry about the confusion CD! I'm confused you with another poster that can feel NO difference with his Spoon installed (which I still find hard to believe)!! The only data I have is for the DiGrappa and Stock. I'd love to get one of each for a week to plot them all and do an overlay. He does not believe any brace (regardless of type) makes any difference. Do you have access to any 3-D modeling programs (i.e. Catia, Pro-Engineer, Auto-Cad)? I may be able to have the data converted to another format........but it once again is only the Digrappa vs. Stock.

 

Utah
I have Solid Works. If it helps any I can gather the info and put it on a disk for Chris.
Let me know
Mark

 

Thanks, I do not need to see any computer tools that show theoretical values. I can tell you from experience that any difference in those pieces will not make a perceived difference and I dare anyone to measure the 1/8 inch movement (effectively broken) claimed earlier in the this thread. Maybe that poster misinterpreted the findings.

 

I very well may have misinterpreted what UtahS2k was telling me. On recollection, I believe that the computer simulation he ran stated that the Spoon brace should reduce movement to 0.25", however, he measured the DiGrappa brace to reduce movement to 0.125".

 

The answer is ALWAYS it depends. Depending on number of reps, material, force applied, and most of all design. If designed right, a brace should outlast the car. When was the last time you heard of a critical failure of an airplane wing. 747 oscillations are measured in meters and happen billions of times over the life of the plane. I doubt varying x-brace designs would see noticable differences in deflection. The frame of the car is going to take 95+% of the torsional loads. You should feel a slight difference between a braced and stock car.

We are never going to know the answer to your question, because we don't know the load cycles the car will see. Maybe Honda would be generous enough to give us access to their Cray and play a bit. I would be curious how we would physically measure the rigidity of the car as a system. That is the ultimate question.