I completed the install of the GTSPEC lower braces today. They consist of 3 braces. One front and two rear braces. The rears were easy to install with hand tools and ramps, although I'll get to an issue in a moment.

The front brace was another story. There was no way to loosen the two bolts on the lower control arms using hand tools and ramps. Just not enough clearance to get any leverage. So I tooks it to a near by Tires Plus and they installed it for $50. A little steep for 20 minutes work, but I just wanted it done.

Back to the rear. Like I said there are 2 braces in back. One goes behind the differential, one goes ahead of it. I had to remove the one that is ahead of it. It must have been designed with the stock exhaust in mind. My Fuji with 3" mid pipe presses against putting considerable pressure on the brace. The result is that it will go on, but because it makes contact it reverberates into the chassis and is very annoying.

Unfortunately, this brace seems to make the most difference. When I removed it the car lost its new stiffness to a degree. The other two help but this is the one that made the biggest impact on chassis ridgidity.

I will contact Ravspec on Monday and see what they have to say. I don't expect a solution as it just does not fit right with the hefty Fuji mid-pipe. It really is too bad because together the really tightened up the chassis.

 

Thanks, I've been waiting to hear about those. Any other comments...build quality, weight, etc....?

 

Actually, i think the bars are designed with the injen exhaust in mind. My injen clears the rear bars. I have these three installed as well, and they make a huge difference. The front bolts need air tools to get off, and tighten back, hand tools will be very tough. There is a Z in one ofthe modified magazine issues (i think) that has these bars installed, that's where i originally saw them. They are great but won't fit every exhaust. They are super light in weight, and very strong. All in all the best bang for the buck i've spent on the car.

 

Very light aluminum construction, even all 3 together don't weigh very much. Build quality is very good and they look good as well, not that you will be seeing them given where they go.

I just have to see if anything can be done about fitment with my exhaust although it doesn't look like anything can be done. The one bar just doesn't clear my exhaust's mid-pipe.

As I said the 2 remaining bars make a difference but the one that doesn't fit seemed to make the most.

 

I have 2 of the braces - which one is the 3rd?

There's one on the front subframe, and one right behind the diff.

I knew of another larger brace being designed which was originally going to replace the heavy rear V or W shaped OEM brace. Is that it?

EDIT: Never mind. I see that a 3rd bar has been added (rear lateral bar). It seems to be located in front and below the rear diff. It's not the 'ladder' bar I was thinking about.

 

Photos?

 

http://www.ravspec.com/pcatalogue.asp?tid=1258&filter=G

This site shows them mounted on a Z. The Lateral reinforcement bar is the one that won't fit with a Fuji or any other "fat mid-pipe" exhaust like it.

 

yep...did not fit on my car at all, so its sitting in the display case now. On a true dual, it should be ok

I honestly dont understand why so many issues with the fronts...we did the front on my car with air tools on jack stands in about 30 minutes.....just need the right tools I suppose

 

Any chance that they'll fit the Nismo exhaust ?

 

Definitely need the right tools. I only had ramps and hand tools at home. The front bolts definitely need air tools and in my case a breaker bar.

I recently received an email saying thet GTSPEC is working on an alternate design to fit other exhausts although it did not specify if my type would be addressed.

 

We'll likely be helping them on this issue, as I have the Fuji Ti system on my car, and we are relaively local to them

 

Z1:
I am wondering if they will fit with the NISMO exhaust also. Was getting ready to purchase them from you.
what do you think ?

 

Z1,

please keep us updated... i have the JIC 3" exhaust system so probably have clearance issues with the current design..

thanks

 

The only issue I can see is that they will have to bend the current brace quite a bit to clear the mid-pipe. I don't know how much rigidity it will be able to provide at that point since the best design would be to go straight accross like the other 2 braces do.

It will be intersting to see what they come up with and whether it will really remain functional.

 

Just to let you all know, if any of you are interested in these bars, we can add them to our web site for you to order. please PM me for more information.

 

Got an answer to this ?????????

 

bump - can anyone answer this ?

Z1 clean out your PM's!

 

If the Nismo has a "fat" mid-pipe like the Fujitsubo, it probably won't fit. The Fuji runs through the same area as the stock pipe and I assume the Nismo. If it's much fatter than stock, you may have the same issues I have with it.

 

So the rear lower brace fits with the Fujitsubo exhaust but the lateral support bar does not. Correct ?
I suspect the Nismo will have the same issue but was wondering about the rear lower bar clearance. I couldnt tell if it will fit from looking under my car.
Also, these seem to come in RED and BLUE right ?

 

You are correct. The lateral support bar which has to go under and accross the exhaust does not clear the Fuji exhaust. The rear tie brace which sits behind/beyond the differential is not an issue. As for color, I was told only blue is available.