Strut brace for Dooper ?

[iPap]

ooooh, was it expensive, I might need one of those!

Does it bolt straight in?

[adam_Randell]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dudley_Dooper (original)

Is this a part that can be fitted by a novice?

I'd like one of these too. Very nice.

yep can be fitted by a novice. its reccomended to use a torque wrench to get the correct torque on the bolts...but i didnt and i dont know any one who has.

3 bolts off each side, brace on then put the bolts back on piece of cake!

[Dudley_Dooper]

I'm keen to get one, I know you said this was made for you but are there more available?

I think my neighbour has a torque wrench for his bikes, I could borrow that.

[Seamus Not Faster]

Now that they have the pattern, by way of one of their own customer cars and following Nick's order, GTT tell me that they can now produce them to order and post out as required. Price quoted to me was £ 229 plus vat.

GTT say self Installation should be straight forward. There is no need to suspend the front of the car etc.

The brace can be produced in any finish to suit customer requirement.
eg. to match the body colour such as pepper white, or in just a plain metal finish etc .
One week to 10 days turn around.

As an aside, if you look closely at Nick's pic, the mounting point feet/flanges are secured using the existing strut top mount bolts, plus they encorporate the two additional bolts each side located in the black diagonal brackets for extra rigidity.

Perhaps Nick can tell us whether access to the air filter box is restricted ?

[iPap]

Sound expensive to me!

[Nick_from_Suffolk]

Hi guys, access to items below the brace is a bit restricted, but as it takes only 10 minutes to remove and replace the brace, that is NOT a reason to not get one.

Only 2 nuts and 2 bolts are removed. The nuts (on the struts themselves) are re-used. The struts are still held in place by a 3rd nut, so as long as you don't move the car whilst undertaking the work you cannot affect the suspension geometry. Gtt don't quote a torque setting, so I used the same setting as for a BMW Z4 and M3.

So far its the best upgrade to the car. But that was expected after I did (a) a trial on my M3 when I removed the strut brace, which then (b) determined that I fit a brace to my wife's Z4.

It is not expensive for what it does. The steering is lighter, but with more feeling, and more direct.

Give Roland at GTT a call and place your orders now!

[boydooper]

I have fitted a JCW strut brace to my cooper D. Fitted easily, the only slight mod i made was to install a strip of foam tape between the brace and the engine cover to stop a slight buzzing noise at certain engine speeds. I really like the look of the genuine JCW strut brace and i got it for £115 from the dealer. Bargain
As far as any difference to the drive/handling i have driven a good few laps of the Nurburgring with and without the strut brace and i can honestly say i have not noted any improvements.

[55JWB]

Boydooper, you got any pics?

What laptimes did you manage at the ring? I am planning on going in mine in the spring

last time I went was in my B7 RS4 so I am thinking accuracy in the dooper is the order of the day

J

[boydooper]

Not got any pics but can try and take and upload some tomorrow.
Last time around the ' ring ' from BTG in the Mini i was doing in the 9 mins 40's. I am going over again next weekend for a few more laps too The Mini is really good for the first 10km of the track where it handles well, the faster sections from 10k to about 16km iirc the Mini just needs more power, then the final few km's makes nice progress too. I don't expect i will improve on my time anymore this time out ( i only drive 9/10ths there, like to leave a little in reserve )but i am very impressed with its ability there. Take yous there and i am sure you will enjoy too.

[55JWB]

9.40's BTG! that sounds amazing for the dooper! Or more likely your driving...

It's a scary old place, I felt I "got away with it" just keeping it on the black stuff!

Will defo get back, might have to suggest a mini's on tour trip