For anyone interested in install tips:

http://www.s2000.org/mods/xbrace/

I can't say that I noticed a difference in handling or performance. It makes me feel a little better to know that it's on... but I can't tell a difference at all. I remember a post somewhere way back when were someone did some strain gauge testing and found that there was .25" or so of flex in those points of the chassis with relation to each other.

FYI, I had put the S2000 through a few autocrosses before and after the brace, and then to the track afterwards. I couldn't tell a difference, but I also don't race as much as some others do... but I can tell you that I've been able to tell a difference in bracing on other Hondas...

 

My CD used to skip every time I changed lanes and hit the dots on the lines in the road. Since I added the X-brace The CD stopped skipping! It definately tightens up the ride and improves the steering response. Have you got one on order yet? That Spoon X-brace Allan Haggi has for sale sounds like a good deal.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Austin_S2000
[B]
So if I am also planning on not getting

 

Will the brace create more understeer or more oversteer?

 

You really have to drive it to the limit in order to feel a difference. I noticed more oversteer.

 

As opposed to your suspension, your chassis can never be too stiff. The S2000 starts off with an excellent chassis, however, the available chassis reinforcement bars improve the rigidity of the chassis by reducing flex and increasing accurate response to driver inputs. In particular, I think the front X-brace is the most important chassis bar to add. Under the car, you can see Honda's add-on attempt to reinforce the front rails with steel reinforcement tabs. The X-brace increases the front rigidity, and decreases torsional flex, which is extremely important for the car to accurately respond to the driver's steering inputs.

That being said, I think it was best put by Austin_S2000 above "If you feel the car to be extremely stiff already, then chances are that you will not even notice the so called "benefits" of this brace anyway." If you are already satified with the current car, is it even woirth the money to modify?

The benefit of the chassis bars are noticeable on the street, but best exploited at the track.

Regards,
-- Chris

 

If you want to add stiffness, I think this is the way to go. Strut tower braces don't do anything on our car and stiffer shocks would likely be too stiff. Even if it does nothing, you won't break the bank by trying it.

 

Hey-thanks for all your good input (pro and con). I probably will go ahead and get a brace-I really like the DiGrappa-well executed shiny metal turns me on. I'm not ready to buy right away-doing some research. I'm having a dealership touch up some shipping paint damage on the front bumper, hope I don't regret it.

Thanks again

Bill

 

The S2000 chassis is quite good and flexes very little, but there is just a hint of cowl shake on bumpy roads; the X brace virtually eliminates the shake.

 

Bill-

I'll throw my hat in the ring here.

I just installed the DiGrappa X brace on my '02. As I drove away and onto the freeway, I could immediately feel the difference. Yes, the S has a very stiff chassis. However, there is room for improvement and as I drove over a particularly crappy section of the road, I could tell that the DiGrappa brace was making a difference.

To be honest, I can't tell any difference in handling. I didn't track my '01 and haven't yet tracked my '02 so I don't every push the limits in the car. (I'm one of those conservative fogies that thinks that driving at the limit should be restricted to a track and not on the street).

I would also add this. Making the already stiff structure even more stiff can't hurt in the long run. It will undoubtedly help the long-term stiffness of the car. Having owned an M1 Miata I can say with confidence that over time and with the stress of daily driving a chassis will loosen up. With the loosening up, you suffer in terms of precision and you get some squeaks and creeks. An X brace isn't going to prevent this, but it will surely help.

The DiGrappa brace aint cheap. I would hazard a guess and say that the Spoon (and other X braces out there) offer a fairly similar feel. I stepped up to the DiGrappa because of the single piece construction and the quality and customer service that I have gotten from Rick in the past.

Good luck and let us know what you do.