Read around a bit and there's not too much posted about this mod, so I figured I'd detail my installation. I bought it along with their engine torque dampener. The master cylinder brace is the much simpler install of the two, but be advised you will need to cut a 1.5" hole with a hole saw in the sheet metal between the master cylinder compartment and the engine bay.

If you're wondering what the mod is for, read here: http://www.mynismo.com/products/?id=4419

It comes with pretty good, simple to follow instructions. Just be sure to have a good assortment of both metric and SAE allen wrenches available (I think 9/16" is the SAE one used; might be a 7mm, but I didn't have one of those)... same goes for installing the torque dampener.

I won't detail the entire process, as the instructions do a good job; I'll just post the pics I took with comments on progress at the time.

Here's the brace as it comes out of the box; it's pre-assembled and ready to go (just needs to be adjusted and everything tightened upon install:


Here is the install area disassembled and the template in place. Just need to remove the cover, trim piece and two nuts that hold the cluth fluid reservoir in place so it can be moved out of the way:


Here is a shot of how the drill/hole saw must be oriented to cut the 1.5" hole; there's just barely room, but the metal is thin and it's an easy cut. Just go slow and watch on the other side, as there's a hard brake line that the edge of the hole is very close to; be careful not to nick it. You also have to drill a 1/4" hole to the left of the other two so you can relocate the clutch fluid reservoir slightly to the left (only on MT cars):


Here's a crappy pic of the nw holes drilled and supplied rubber grommet in place:


Once it's all tightened up, it's just a matter of putting the trim and cover back. Here's a shot of the completed install before I did:


Weather has been crappy here, so I haven't driven the car since I installed this and the TQ dampener. From what I've read from one member, I don't expect to feel much from this brace; he said that buying SS lines would be a better mod and he's probably right. I bought it mainly b/c I though it was a cool piece and would compliment the TQ dampener nicely under the hood; if it does firm up braking feel slightly, all the better.

 

Good job, and really nice pics! FAQ's like this make things easier for the rest of us. I've got a brake damper for my G that I am wiating to install when I have time.

Dave

 

great write up thanks.

 

Thanks. Guess I should have posted it in the appropriate DIY section... Mods, feel free to move the thread over there.

 

Looks cool. I wonder if having 1/4" washer spacers under the strut-bar bolts from a plenum spacer mod would interfere with the geometry and effectiveness of this mod??

Can't wait to hear your subjective reviews for these mods!

 

Hmm, not sure about that one. My gut instinct is that it'll still work ok as far as functionality; might have to move the hole up a bit, if anything. Only problem I can foresee is you'll prob need a longer bolt at the rear outside corner and the stud at the rear inside corner of the strut bar may be too short with 1/4" spacer and the stillen bracket on there.

 

I have had spacers as well as no spacers with this damper. I have never needed those 1/4" spacers though with the Motordyne. Either way, it as worked fine on my car.

Good write up as usual.

 

I went for a short drive today. The brake pedal DID feel different; a little firmer and more linear in feel though pedal travel. I only cruised around the neighborhood at low speed, so I can't comment on how it feels under heavy braking yet, but the fact I feel anything is a plus; I really wasn't expecting much.

 

I didn't notice a single thing.

When I'd ask my wife to press the brakes while parked so I can see just how much the master cylinder brace moves without it installed, it absolutely didn't move at all. I can only assume maybe when you're doing heavy repeated braking the master cylinder starts moving after awhile and the brace is supposed to help in those cases

 

After reading how much money you've poured into your car, I can see why you wouldn't feel anything from such an inexpensive mod.....

 

i know the thread is old, and the OP posted over a year ago, but i just installed mine today. like the OP, i wasn't expecting much either.

i did ask my better half to press down the brake pedal and i did see the master cylinder dive forward. i was very surprised! i found a new one for a pretty cheap price and decided to pick it up. installation is not for the faint of heart because, as you can see, it requires a bit of drilling in a tight area. but it is pretty straightforward and not entirely difficult.

after driving around, i was actually quite surprised by the positive feedback from the brakes. engagement is much higher than before and is very confident, even at low speed. i could only imagine that this would be a tremendous confidence builder at the track. it's a relatively cheap mod that actually gives you instant feeling. just my $0.02.

 

make sure you coat the area you drilled and cut properly with anti rust or that engine bay is going go bad.

 

could you elaborate? coat the area with what? cut with anti-rust? how will the engine bay go bad?

 

there is proper anti rust coating/paint that body shops apply to area of metal that is cut. If you don't do this, moisture/water will turn that spot into rust. Then rust will eat away the metal area in the engine bay. I had to do this working down at the body shop.

 

ah, now i understand. any recommendations on a type of anti-rust, or will any do?

 

Most automotive anti rust will do.

 

cool. thanks a lot for the heads-up, i appreciate it.

 

no problem. Just trying to save you some headaches down the road.

 

Great post even though it kinda old I have been waiting for a nice day to install mine. I do have the stainless steel brake lines and the cross drilled and slotted rotors, so I am expecting mucho braking sensitivity.

 

great post