I shaved the firewall with pics
06-14-2012, 09:23 AM
#21
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I like what you've done so far.
So, if you're not in any real classes, as you say, then are you doing all this to your car just for fun (no real plans to race competitively)?
So, if you're not in any real classes, as you say, then are you doing all this to your car just for fun (no real plans to race competitively)?
06-14-2012, 10:08 AM
#23
06-14-2012, 10:49 AM
#24
not sure if the main intention was to use the engine as the third point an a strut bar design, since the engine moves alot during driving, and itself is on a non-rigid mount (unless he went to a solid mount) so i dont think it's meant to be a strut bar replacement, but rather an engine brace.. (i think?)
imho, i would still fab up a bar that goes above it to link the two strut towers for a legit brace..
06-14-2012, 01:55 PM
#26
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The way that solid brace is tied into the plenum, any engine side to side torque will be focused on the junction of the lower plenum and the runners to the heads. Yes it is similar to other torque braces but most I have seen have highly dampened give in them... those small bolts between the plenum and lower collector are just into aluminum and not designed to brace the engine against those loads. then factor in the push/pull loads of any strut tower flex and who knows what will happen...
06-14-2012, 02:12 PM
#27
Bryan has solid engine and trans mounts installed. So the motor and trans doesn't move around like it does with the OEM mounts.
Since they're fairly still, the upper mounts keep it even more solid and add in more stability for the struts. While there was no R.D. in this design, we'll see how the car holds up in the long run.
As far as abuse from roughness of terrain, Bryan has already driven across rough sections of the tracks. Rough enough that his Nismo V3 bumper became a casualty, but the motor and plenum were just fine with no signs of damage. This was after the custom upper mounts that Bryan created himself, and before the recent clutch/cam upgrades. So the motor has been apart and reassembled since the track carnage.
Since they're fairly still, the upper mounts keep it even more solid and add in more stability for the struts. While there was no R.D. in this design, we'll see how the car holds up in the long run.
As far as abuse from roughness of terrain, Bryan has already driven across rough sections of the tracks. Rough enough that his Nismo V3 bumper became a casualty, but the motor and plenum were just fine with no signs of damage. This was after the custom upper mounts that Bryan created himself, and before the recent clutch/cam upgrades. So the motor has been apart and reassembled since the track carnage.
06-14-2012, 02:57 PM
#28
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not sure if the main intention was to use the engine as the third point an a strut bar design, since the engine moves alot during driving, and itself is on a non-rigid mount (unless he went to a solid mount) so i dont think it's meant to be a strut bar replacement, but rather an engine brace.. (i think?)
That's why I said his is more like brackets since he doesn't have anything to lessen any vibration.
06-15-2012, 05:16 AM
#35
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Rich,
I've only driven the car for about 20 miles and that was at ZdayZ. I was starting to get used to the HEAVY pedal feel, when I had to turn around and go get the titan and snag someone out of a ditch.
It is HEAVY but my ABS hasn't worked consistently in years and I often found that from corner to corner I would or would not have ABS, so I was wounding tires quiet often. If I can get used tot he pedal feel this weekend at CMP, then I will probably go forward on a duel circuit and wilwood push bar setup. if not then I will probably go back to the boosted setup and explore other ABS options.
But I really would like to stay away from boosted brakes if possible
I've only driven the car for about 20 miles and that was at ZdayZ. I was starting to get used to the HEAVY pedal feel, when I had to turn around and go get the titan and snag someone out of a ditch.
It is HEAVY but my ABS hasn't worked consistently in years and I often found that from corner to corner I would or would not have ABS, so I was wounding tires quiet often. If I can get used tot he pedal feel this weekend at CMP, then I will probably go forward on a duel circuit and wilwood push bar setup. if not then I will probably go back to the boosted setup and explore other ABS options.
But I really would like to stay away from boosted brakes if possible
06-15-2012, 05:18 AM
#36
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Awesome. Really cleans up the engine bay, but a ton of work! That metal is pretty thin, so I cant imagine it weighing much, but every little bit does add up. I like the way you wire tucked. That ss waterline replace the stock piping is a nice touch! Especially the way you secured it!
Did you notice any additional heat while driving?
Did you notice any additional heat while driving?
06-15-2012, 05:24 AM
#37
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I am currently running slid motor and tranny mounts, this was just the next thing to go solid.
I've been running this "brace" for over a year now, and I've run the stickiest tires (Z214) and beat on every rumble strip I could find. no movement what so ever. didn't even scratch the paint. that said, I DO NOT recommend this for stock or even poly motor mounts, solid only.
Basically it is .125" 6061 Al. A sheet metal break, and sadly the day I made them the belt sander was dead, so the joints were WAY too wide when I welded them, I want to make another set, but time is never on my side.
I'll sanp some detail images this weekend of them
06-15-2012, 05:28 AM
#38
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So I de-pinned almost everything (to get the snake skin on) and then made the wires the perfect length.
I did not verify wire resistances. However, I am NOT using the knock sensor, and I did not de-pin or cut the Throttle body wires, I did hide those in the harness. I didn't want to open that can of worms.
She did fire up the first time (except for the clutch switches being backwards)
I still have some shortening on the cabin side of the firewall to do, but I first want to get switched over to the haltech and get it tuned before I do any more wiring.
