GR86 GR86 Front Strut Brace Thread

[grzoostuff]

Another mod I plan to add is a front strut brace.
Interesting looks like the GT86 one fits the GR86?

Strut Tower Bar - Blitz - Front - 96100 - GT86, GR86 & BRZ

GT86, GR86 & BRZ - Blitz Strut Brace - Front Improve your cars handling with a Blitz strut tower brace. Increases vehicle rigidity. Lightweight with hollow aluminium construction. 50mm wide X 15mm thick. Highly durable black finish with metallic red strut fixings.

www.fensport.co.uk

 

[Will300]

Definitely buy one with a built in master cyclinder brace, it makes quiet a difference.

Strut Brace - Front - RHD - Alloy With Brake Stopper - Cusco - GT86, GR86 & BRZ

Cusco Alloy Front Strut Brace with Brake Stopper for GT86, GR86 & BRZ - Right hand drive Cusco's front strut brace centre bar is a "Type OS" oval design using a lightweight but strong alloy bar. The end brackets are steel and are coated in Cusco's trademark blue. Also included is an inbuilt...

www.fensport.co.uk

 

[Dal3D]

I've fitted bottom strut braces before and that certainly helped turn in - although it did make you rely on tyre grip more than before as it stiffened the whole front up. Does this do the same?

 

[AndyRC]

Definitely buy one with a built in master cyclinder brace, it makes quiet a difference.

Strut Brace - Front - RHD - Alloy With Brake Stopper - Cusco - GT86, GR86 & BRZ

Cusco Alloy Front Strut Brace with Brake Stopper for GT86, GR86 & BRZ - Right hand drive Cusco's front strut brace centre bar is a "Type OS" oval design using a lightweight but strong alloy bar. The end brackets are steel and are coated in Cusco's trademark blue. Also included is an inbuilt...

www.fensport.co.uk

What difference does the master cylinder brace make , never had a strut brace so total newbie

 

[Dal3D]

I'd imagine it stabilises it. You don't normally get to watch your master cylinder, but I bet it moves a bit when you brake hard.

EDIT:
Found this:
(RX8 but same principle)

This Front Strut Brace from suspension specialists CUSCO has a built in brake master cylinder stopper, This stopper applies force to the front of the brake master cylinder to prevent unwanted flex of the firewall under heavy braking.

Linky

 

[AndyRC]

@Dal , I can see how that works but never thought the master cylinder would move I’m obviously not braking hard enough

 

[grzoostuff]

I've fitted bottom strut braces before and that certainly helped turn in - although it did make you rely on tyre grip more than before as it stiffened the whole front up. Does this do the same?

Probably same principal, stiffens the front end for better cornering.
I used to have fitted a front, a rear brace and side braces, made the car handle like a go-kart on rails but was too extreme for road use

 

[Dal3D]

GR86 already has 2 little braces for the strut towers but a solid strut > strut will help. If it needs stiffening that is - some compliance can help with handling. All depends how you prefer it! (oo-er)

 

[Will300]

Grimmspeed have a good explaination on their website explaining what a strut tower brace does - scroll down to the Performance heading:
https://www.grimmspeed.com/strut-tower-brace-brz-frs-86/

Here is a video showing the benefit of a master cyclinder brace.

 

[AndyRC]

Grimmspeed have a good explaination on their website explaining what a strut tower brace does - scroll down to the Performance heading:
https://www.grimmspeed.com/strut-tower-brace-brz-frs-86/

Here is a video showing the benefit of a master cyclinder brace.

@Will300 , thanks for posting that , now I have a much better understanding Suprising how much the master cylinder deflects , how does the brace impact on brake feel? I’m guessing at more direct and less “squishy“

 

[Will300]

I’m guessing at more direct and less “squishy“

Exactly that, it helps firm up the pedal.

 

[Dal3D]

As far as the front top strut brace goes - just watched this and there may need to be some "double checking" as to whether GT 86 parts are interchangeable with GR86. This is on a BRZ, but can't imagine it'll be different. Need to check!

 

[chopper602]

Has anyone fitted a strut tower brace yet ? I like the look of the Cusco one mentioned earlier (and the colour would match the car!)

 

[grzoostuff]

Has anyone fitted a strut tower brace yet ? I like the look of the Cusco one mentioned earlier (and the colour would match the car!)

I ended up buying the TRD carbon one, not had chance to fit yet as want to get a feel of how the car handles on it's own without for a while to see if I notice any difference.