Doc_Z

Hey guys,

I'm wanting to install my 1/2 inch intake spacer and with that the FSTB has to come out.

I'm just curious how much it will affect the handling and safety of the car overall? I do a lot of high speed highway driving.


thanks

derekinthez

iTrader: (32)

if you add some washers below your FSB brackets (so as to raise the heigth of clearance between the fsb and the plenum) you might be able to keep both. what year do you have?

Doc_Z

Hi, it's an 04

AJCaron12

Don't install the spacer and keep the brace. The car came without a spacer and with a brace from the factory for a reason.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Sure you want to risk your life go ahead.

omsin523

iTrader: (8)

Or, you could get the 5/16 spacer and keep the brace.

Z1 Performance

iTrader: (564)

a 1/2 inch spacer has no meaningful benefits vs the smaller size ones

using washers under a 1/2 inch spacer will cause the brace to hit the hood

very simple test for yourself...take the brace off, go drive the car, see how you like, decide if you can live with it or not. It's utility is highly dependant on your total suspension setup and how you drive

winchman

Considering how strong it is and what it must cost Nissan to put it on the car, I'd say there's a really good reason to leave it there. I doubt it's there just for the looks.

Z1 Performance

iTrader: (564)

NISMO's own race cars (380RSC) don't use one..fwiw

like I said, it's effectiveness depends on the level of other suspension work done. The more done, the less important the strut brace is

beezee

iTrader: (19)

Where high speed means how many miles/km per hour

ace32x

iTrader: (10)

Similar question I lost mine on my 08 because of my gtm tt piping they sent me the old stuff and not the revised so I lost my strut as well feels a bit sloppier but I imagen the added weight of the tt kit in the front has something to do with that aswell. Running on stance gr +'s with the helper springs and hotchikis sways.

BrazenZ

APS & Stillen makes a tower brace that you can run a 1/2 inch spacer, They route the brace in front of the intake plenum.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

I would have to say not really suspension, but chassis stuff like stitch welding, cage etc etc.

SageZ

iTrader: (1)

I have the 5/16th spacer with aftermarket strut bar (JIC) and spacers. It fit snug with hood clearance and plenum clearance. Just took a lot of adjusting. maybe go this route..

Doc_Z

According to the MD website the 1/2 inch has a few more HP up top than the 5/16th. I live in SA so shipping antother 5/16th spacer formthe US isn't a viable option for me right now.

Thanks for the info on the braces that do fit the car with the plenum spacer in place. It's an expensive "fix" but might look into it. I'm not a pro driver so I don't think I'll be able to tell the actual difference between with/without the brace from testing it. From what I understand the FSTB affects the handling characteristics of the REAR of the car correct? I just don't want the car to behave drastically different in a corner or sweeper which could lead to an unneccesary incident. The rest of the suspension is standard.

by high speed I mean 180km/h average and the occasional 250km/h sprints.

Doc_Z

Looking at those APS and Stillen braces, I'm wondering if perhaps I can get my machinist guy to fabricate some adaptor plates that shifts the stock brace a few inches forward. Guessinga lot of z owners might be interested in that as a cheaper alternative.

Z1 Performance

iTrader: (564)

all of it comes into play

I only recently re-attached my strut brace, my car has no cage, no chassis welding and I can honestly say I have not noticed one bit of difference

Z1 Performance

iTrader: (564)

possibly, though on the surface seems unlikely since the stock brace curves to clear the hood, and as you move forward, the hood curves downwards quite dramatically - plus the more you move it forward, the more flex you will have (via your adapters) thus reducing the effectiveness of the brace in the first place

like I said, go drive it without the brace and then with the brace, and decide

phreaktor

iTrader: (22)

Theres really no difference. I have been without mine for 2 years. Then again I'm not driving on a track under extreme conditions as is with the majority of the world. The majority of the suspension mods normal drivers buy are not even necessary.

Doc_Z

I will try without the brace. But i'm afraid it might all be in my head then if the car handles differently....