[Damo]

Hi guys,

Not had chance to fit my GTT brace I got at the Top Gear Run last weekend due to an escapee spark plug

Should hopefully get it fitted when I go back to collect it next weekend. Just wanted to know if it just uses the normal bolts, JCW style ones or others?

Cheers

[timc]

Normal bolts

[Hyper Active]

There normal steel ones, so they can be re used if you need to take off the brace, then put it back on again.

[NeuroBeaker]

If I remember right, Roland told me the JCW-style bolts weren't suitable. Definitely use normal bolts.

Hey, I don't suppose anyone has the torque settings for using normal bolts with the Aerobox Upper-Front Strut Brace...?

All the best,
Andrew.

[Capsaisin]

If we are talking about the strut tower brace, surely this is held on by the strut top mounting nuts?

There are 3 nuts holding the strut to each tower. Their tightening torque is 34 Nm (25 ft-lb). Also these nuts are listed as self locking replaceable, although I was told they could be re-used, presumably with a little loctite.

I believe that the JCW nuts have a history of cracking, but it could just have been a bad batch as some people had no problems at all. I think these were only supplied with the JCW brace anyway.

[MINI-Morgan]

Yep use the normal ones but only hand tighten as they dont need much at all Also the coating on the braces stops the nuts coming undone

[rkw]

I'm confused by this thread. My GTT brace came supplied with washers and nylon lock type of nuts. Are the rest of you simply using the original OEM nuts?

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI-Morgan (original)

Also the coating on the braces stops the nuts coming undone

My brace doesn't have any different coating in the fastening area (just the same powder coating as the rest of the brace.

[MINI-Morgan]

Yep I am using the originals and thats how Roland fitted it.

All I was saying was that the coating... in my case clear makes the nuts stick so I dont tighten them down too tight. Firmly held in place but certainly not really tight.

[johnlondonw3]

I bought a 2nd hand jcw brace and bought some nylock nuts,but I havent got a torque wrench so just ended up putting the original nuts back on.
The point I'm making is that the locking nuts are very cheap to buy fromScrewfix ,about £2 for 100 No 8 .I read some place that BMW charge about £20 for 6 !

[Damo]

I bought some new JCW ones because my originals had cracked. They cost about £30.

However they're NOT the same as the standard bolts. They fit through the brace holes itself that way there is more thread holding the brace on.

My not so new bolts have been on and off a few times and haven't cracked so must of been a dodgy batch of bolts with the original brace.

Personally think the bolts are a much better idea than the standard bolts.

Not fitted the GTT brace yet so don't know how much thread the nuts screws onto to hold it on.

Crossing my fingers I can get it fitted next weekend All that I want then is coilovers and new rear bushes and its done handling wise Just got to sort out whatever is rattling at the front (3 X braces (soon to be 3 GTT braces), Alta PSRS and Stiffer anti roll bar makes for a very stiff front end = lots of rattles but awesome handling .).

[NeuroBeaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Damo (original)

Crossing my fingers I can get it fitted next weekend All that I want then is coilovers and new rear bushes and its done handling wise Just got to sort out whatever is rattling at the front (3 X braces (soon to be 3 GTT braces), Alta PSRS and Stiffer anti roll bar makes for a very stiff front end = lots of rattles but awesome handling .).

What about the new GTT Boot Brace? I'm going to try to get all four of my GTT braces fitted tomorrow - so happy!

[Damo]

To new for anyone to be selling it second hand

Plus got a rear brace coming from somewhere else I think

Roland himself said previously to making his own he very much doubted the rear brace would do anything unless it went from the top of the suspension towers at the back. So suspect the rear is more demand than performance.

Only reason I want a rear is I intend to ditch the back seats and was thinking of getting a spare wheel in the boot and a net fitted to stop anything out the boot going flying into the front.

[NeuroBeaker]

There are a few people who have fitted it and reported a positive effect though.

And... I think there are 2 or 3 left at the group price? I think that's £120ish.

What's the plan with the area you're going to recover where the rear seats were initially?

[Damo]

Going to get someone like Mikey to cover it up with carpet and a bit of sound deadening. Where the sockets for the seat belts attach will get some kind of mounting bracket made up to hold a spare wheel securely.

This is quite a long way down the line though as want to sort out suspension and engine first I think. Who know's it an idea whetyher or not I ever get the opportunity i don't know.

[NeuroBeaker]

Sounds a pretty good plan - good luck.

My plan for my ONE is much more modest:

1. Koni FSD - fitted
2. Grippy tyres - fitted
3. GTT Aerobox Upper-Front Strut Brace - purchased, awaiting fitment
4. GTT Front-Lower Chassis Brace - purchased, awaiting fitment
5. GTT Lower-Mid Chassis Brace - purchased, awaiting fitment
6. GTT Rear Boot Brace - purchased, awaiting fitment
7. GTT Spiroslot Braking System (pads and all four discs) - purchased, awaiting fitment
8. John Cooper Motorsport Open Cone Air Induction Kit - planned
9. ECU Remap - planned

Hopefully, the braces and brakes will be installed tomorrow afternoon.

[Damo]

Any idea of being modest with my car went out the window when I got the brakes

Hated the standard brakes, and managed to cook them on my first cooper on the last day I had it before trade in. Was never happy with them for my S. One of the best upgrades ever (Up there with JCW seats and non runflats)

[NeuroBeaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Damo (original)

Any idea of being modest with my car went out the window when I got the brakes

Hated the standard brakes, and managed to cook them on my first cooper on the last day I had it before trade in. Was never happy with them for my S. One of the best upgrades ever (Up there with JCW seats and non runflats)

I never had runflats on the ONE - so no worries there.

I'm pretty eager about the Spiroslot brakes as following the fitment of my new grippy tyres, I did manage to get brake fade on my OEM discs recently, which was... terrifying (to put it mildly).