[minioneandrew]

Hi all!
Was just wondering if anyone had any experience with the upper and lower strut braces that you can get for your MINI? Are they easy for someone like me - i.e quite good at putting things together but have limited tools? And do they offer any improved handling?
Cheers Andy

[James]

a strut brace will help to stiffen up the front end of the chassis, it will also improve the turn in response through corners as well as making the handling more predictable

[stealth haggis]

worth it ive got omp upper and lower and its a whole better kettle iof fish now for only 90 quid lower one needs ramps or jacked up to do upper one can be fitted with the 13mm spanner in the boot (only did once to get to the battery) but would advise a socket

[GTT 280]

Quote: Originally Posted by <vonstig> (original)

worth it ive got omp upper and lower and its a whole better kettle iof fish now for only 90 quid lower one needs ramps or jacked up to do upper one can be fitted with the 13mm spanner in the boot (only did once to get to the battery) but would advise a socket

Pimped? what did you have done ?

[GTT 280]

Quote: Originally Posted by minioneandrew (original)

Hi all!
Was just wondering if anyone had any experience with the upper and lower strut braces that you can get for your MINI? Are they easy for someone like me - i.e quite good at putting things together but have limited tools? And do they offer any improved handling?
Cheers Andy

You may want to pay special attention to the type of brace you are fitting. Some braces may be considered better than others due to their construction and adjustability.

For example, a strut brace that has adjusting bolts on it can improve the tension between the two suspension topmounts, whereas a very solid strut brace can improve the compression.

When you drive fast on bends left, right, left, right, your chassis is trying to flex and you loose some of that solid steering feel and thus the 'feeling' of the road. By fitting a really good brace you can prevent the chassis at the top mounts from flexing towards each other and flexing apart as would happen if you were whippingin and out of corners.

Personally, the best strut brace i have ever seen is the GTT brace - it's basically a girder!! but made of very light aluminium. Some braces are made of aluminium but are too flimsy and offer nothing in the way of compressional control - i.e. .like a wire rope. Other are made of steel and weigh heavy.

They'll all tell you that they are the best brace, but really, some are bad, some are good. be careful. Let's just say - JCW, looks nice, does nowt for compression!!!

[stealth haggis]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper S Works (original)

Pimped? what did you have done ?

not much just braces and barkes but it dose sound better than lohen sligtly improved my ride

[stealth haggis]

although that dose sound quite funny sig changed

[Fisher]

The best improve by strut is the lower strut brace from OMP.

It is the cheapest improvment for the MINI cornering. I have both from OMP lower and uper. The uper maybe it isn't the best choice but again it is not expensive.

Bye

[roland2003]

Hi Guys,-There is a GTT Lower Brace coming soon, its larger diameter than the OMP and TIG welded for strength rather than MIG welded, its also Stainless steel rather than mild steel. The OMP lower brace IMO isn't bad (we stock it too) but this will be stronger and a whole lot nicer . Theres also a second GTT 'rear' lower brace coming v.soon.This clamps in 4 positions (2 each side) through the brace ,subframe and floor pan using (the stock ) 4 xM12 bolts.The brace is 16mm thick by 50mm at the widest points solid high tensile T6 alloy.Its also powder coated in satin black.
-New thread coming soon !
Best Regards Roland GTT