Here's a pic of something I knocked up last night.  A rear chassis brace to close the open end of the rear sub frame.  The pic is of the paint drying.  I'll try to get a better one later.

I've always liked the look of the Garage John ones but never the price. Looking forward to hearing how much it improves things (thumb) 

Are you going to do one for the front too?

The Garage John parts are quite expensive, which is why I made my own.  It was made from offcuts that I had lying around.  I'd have to buy some stuff to make one for the front, so I'll leave that for another time.  In any case, the rear of the car seems to roll more than the front, so a front brace may make less difference.  If this one does improve things, I may change my mind.

Just been out for a test drive after fitting the rear chassis brace.  Wow!  I stopped and checked the tyre pressures because the car felt so different.  It feels stiffer and more controlled.  In tight corners, the car just leans in and goes.  Definitely worth a few hours work.

(thumb)

Put me down for one :)

Any pictures to show where exactly this brace is bolt on to?

Haven't got a pic, but the next time I jack the car up, I'll take one.  It goes where the rear sub frame meets the back transmission tunnel.  The inner of the 2 bolts on either side is removed and are put back through the brace.

Surprisingly, given that I had to cut off the suspension bolts when removing the suspension arms, these bolts came off really easily.

seriously put me down for one ill happily pay money towards your development costs for a front one  too

I'm speaking to some engineering friends of mine to see if there is an easier way to do this.  I might be willing to make a few sets if it's possible and there is enough demand to make it worthwhile.

Fantastic not too fussed about any form of painted finish if have a friend who can powdercoat stuff cheap I think this in White would be awesome and useful just got to stiffen up the rest of the car and then we will have snap oversteer mixed with copious amounts of drifting with a nice LSD :)

Yup i'l be up for it depending on cost!

Thanks
Ming

Me too

Count me in! want want want

Same here, depending on the cost :)

I've had a bit of a think about this and come up with a simpler design.  I'm going to make up a pair and see if they're as good.  Depending on batch size, they'll probably cost £65 for a pair (front and rear), acid etch primed and painted black, including UK mainland delivery.  For those who want to get them powder coated, the unpainted price will be about £35 delivered.

65 for it painted and 35 for it unpainted!

That is amazing price! Just let us know and how can we pay :)

Ming

LEt's get the ball rolling to have some confirmed numbers?

1) YcMing - Front and rear Unpainted (£35)

Yeah !

1) YcMing - Front and rear Unpainted (£35)
2) Ricou - Front and rear painted (£65 + shipping to France)

1) YcMing - Front and rear Unpainted (£35)
2) Ricou - Front and rear painted (£65 + shipping to France)
3) Tiny - Front and rear Painted (£65) - no point in me getting them powder coated for that price :)

Let us know how you want paying :) paypal as gift is fine by me.

I might be up for it but i'd have to see exactly where they are fitted to make sure they wont interfere with any other mods past or future.

I once drove a cappo with a full set of braces underneath, i couldn't give it any spirited driving but they did grind out on speed bumps and pot holes on a standard cappo, hence needing to see a pic of them fitted.  I presume yours though sit higher up.

1) YcMing - Front and rear Unpainted (£35)
2) Ricou - Front and rear painted (£65 + shipping to France)
3) Tiny - Front and rear Painted (£65) - no point in me getting them powder coated for that price
4) AlCappuccino - Front and rear Painted (£65)

I can pay by paypal, etc.  They sound great, much cheaper than garage john!
Alan

After lots of grovelling under the car, here are a couple I made earlier.  The new design is simpler.  next time there's some dry weather, I'll fit them and take the car out for a spin to see if they're up to the job.

Yup, my brace for the cinquecento is the exact same :). am happy with that :D

Ming

id have  a pair if I can see them on a caps???

1) YcMing - Front and rear Unpainted (£35)
2) Ricou - Front and rear painted (£65 + shipping to France)
3) Tiny - Front and rear Painted (£65) - no point in me getting them powder coated for that price
4) AlCappuccino - Front and rear Painted (£65)
5) Soongster - Front & rear unpainted (£35)

so is the design now the rectangular brace or still the round one?

“ Quoted from lord, posted Monday, June 6th, 2011, 11:28:48pm at here ” id have  a pair if I can see them on a caps???

I'll take a picture when I fit them

“ Quoted from soongster, posted Tuesday, June 7th, 2011, 3:51:16am at here ” so is the design now the rectangular brace or still the round one?

Yes, the rectangular tube with the square ends.  I was going to use the same flat sided oval as I used previously, but my supplier has stopped selling it.

Any chance you can paint them White instead? I just think if they are white they wont get used as jacking points by tyre monkeys. If not ill have mine unpainted :)

“ Quoted from Tiny, posted Tuesday, June 7th, 2011, 9:14:53am at here ” Any chance you can paint them White instead?

The price is based on spreading the cost of 1 tin of paint across several sets of bars.  If you all decide you'd prefer white, I can do that instead, so long as they're all the same.

Yup i'd also like pics of it fitted to the cappo and will they hang low on the caR?

When you think these will be in production?

Thanks
Ming

“ Quoted from smart51, posted Tuesday, June 7th, 2011, 10:33:05am at here ” The price is based on spreading the cost of 1 tin of paint across several sets of bars.  If you all decide you'd prefer white, I can do that instead, so long as they're all the same.

What do you all think?

White or Black?

??)

if the general onsensus is black can i have mine unpainted :)

“ Quoted from ycming, posted Tuesday, June 7th, 2011, 10:57:41am at here ” Yup i'd also like pics of it fitted to the cappo and will they hang low on the caR? When you think these will be in production?

The bottom of the bar is about 18mm below the edge of the subframe, with the welds dropping to more like 20mm below.  That's about as low as the tray that protects the brake lines, if memory serves.  I'll get pictures when I can.

I can start as soon as I know how many to make.  They will take perhaps 2 weeks of evenings to complete.  You can be on the road by the end of the month.

Ah, as long as the brace is not at the lowest point on the car then happy to buy it !

Ming

As promised, here are some pictures of the braces fitted to the car.  They extend about 6mm lower than the brake line shield, so do lower the ground clearance a little.

The eagle eyed among you will notice the round ends to the rear brace.  The square one I made wouldn't fit inside the recess of the rear subframe.  It's more time consuming to make but there's no extra space.  I'll see what I can think up.

Looks good may have some clearance issues with a few aftermarket exhausts but I'm still game.

Going to be interesting on a car with a 30mm drop :p

That is looking good, by look at the picture am happy to buy them :).

Thanks
Ming

im still keen as well :) but i prefer mine unpainted

I can haz chassis braces? :)

Sure can MDH.  I'm making another prototype with the round ends as per the original, but with a new tool to cut the "fishmouths" which should be quicker.  Once I've fitted a pair to the car and test driven it, I'll be taking orders.

Do we have a consensus for paint colour yet? 

Satin Black
1) Smart51

White
1) Tiny

Now that I think about it, I prefer white :)

Satin Black
1) Smart51

White
1) Tiny
2) Ricou

Satin Black
1) Smart51

White
1) Tiny
2) Ricou

Pure steel (lol)
1)Soongster

If pure steel means unpainted, you don't get to vote as the vote is about the color paint, and you can choose painted and unpainted.

OK guys,  I'm finally happy with the design.  I've settled on round ends with a rectangular tube.  I just need to know what colour you all want them.  Payment by PayPal will be fine.  Either £20 on order and the rest before delivery or the full amount upfront.  I'll send you the email address to send the money to by PM.

Ricou if its easier and we dont get white i can get both of ours powdercoated white and send them onto you.

That would be very nice of you Tiny :)

Lets do that then

Satin Black
1) Smart51

Pure steel (lol)
1)Soongster[/quote]
2) Tiny
3) Ricou

Lets do that then

Satin Black
1) Smart51

Pure steel (lol)
1)Soongster[/quote]
2) Tiny
3) Ricou
4) YcMing

Final price for unpainted £35 yeah ?

Thanks
Ming

It's up to you.  You can have them painted for £65, or sent to Tiny for powder coating at £35 plus his costs or sent in bare steel to you for £35. 

I think I'd go for black, simply because I'd like to keep my car looking unmodified.  I think white looks nicer, but I'll go for black, (or unpainted if we lose the vote!)

Satin Black
1) Smart51
2) Al Cappuccino

Pure steel (lol)
1)Soongster[/quote]
2) Tiny
3) Ricou
4) YcMing

Tiny, smart will send you my brace, let me know how much I owe you when you know it. And thanks again !

no problems inc postage to France i cant see it being more than £20-25 :)

payment sent :)

When can we expect delivery :D?

Ming

“ Quoted from ycming, posted Saturday, June 11th, 2011, 8:20:06pm at here ” When can we expect delivery :D?

I've only had payment for 3 orders yet!  There are another 5 people who said they're interested but have neither paid nor said they don't want to.

I've got the steel for the ends, so I'm busy cutting them up, but I need to know how much of the main tube to buy.  It will take between a week and two to make them which is quicker since few people want them painting.

Yeah no probs mate, not rushing or anything :P but am dieing to have these fitted :P!!!

Really appreciate for making these :), and at an amazing price too!

Come on peeps! Pay up :)

Ming

I'm paid up too

I'm paid up now... for black painted ones...

Thanks for doing this Smart, it's really nice to get some homebrew upgrades for the Cappuccino!

I'll be buying the remaining steel this afternoon.  If you want a set of braces and haven't paid yet, shout up now!. 

Could always make a set or two more :D? Ebay them am sure you could sell it for more?

Ming

Thanks Smart, my chassis braces arrived today!  Can't wait to get them on the car, they look great!

You're welcome.  I recommend a good underseal to stop stone chips and things.

I have the rest of the steel and will be busy cutting and welding over the next few days.

Dam, how come he got his before me :P lol. Can't wait man. Thanks for making them!

Ming

Pics al pics :)

I feel ill?....

“ Quoted from badcat, posted Sunday, June 19th, 2011, 10:06:15am at here ” I feel ill?....

I'm sorry to hear that.  What do you think the cause may be?

WTF?feelill lol?

I know it's a bit late, but a friend of mine just woke up and would like to know if I could order one unpainted set for him.

“ Quoted from Ricou, posted Monday, June 20th, 2011, 7:20:31pm at here ” I know it's a bit late, but a friend of mine just woke up and would like to know if I could order one unpainted set for him.

Ricou,

I bought enough steel to make 2 extra sets and have provisionally sold both.  Let me see how much is left when I've cut it all up.

The Chassis Braces are all welded and boxed ready to be posted tomorrow.  They should be with you soon.  They're still oily so will need a good clean before painting.  I hope you like them.

Smart51

Thanks Did you get my email about my work address :)

really excited now

Can't wait !!!!

Ming

All posted now.  The UK ones *should* arrive tomorrow or Saturday.  Overseas delivery will probably take a week longer.

“ Quoted from Tiny, posted Thursday, June 30th, 2011, 8:14:51am at here ” Did you get my email about my work address

Yes, it was sent to your work address.

like.

you get them minG?

Hi smart51 just wondering if my unpainted braces were mailed out to me?

Yes, they all went out today.

LOOK STARFISH


seriously I am really about as excited as he is about those starfish about this

Thanks smart51

Hooray - braces have just arrived ;D

A big thanks to smart51 for "sharing the love" and making these up for us all... they look great & I can't wait to get them on the car!

They are so cute and really small just off to the powder coaters :)

Thanks Smart51

Hope mine is waiting for me in the house!

ming

Ricou dropped them in at the powdercoaters will be £15 plus postage :)

Great :)

Got mine today :D painted it back. I'll get some pics up after a few more layers :).

Only prime and painted it so it doesn't rust lol.

Ming

Mine have arrived safely as well, thanks smart51.

0ine came to my work today so thanks!!! Not got them yet!!!


2.07.2011

Just got them.. they need powder coating and good to go!

Just a quick question, is the longer one for the front ? And shorter one for the rear?

Thanks
Ming

“ Quoted from ycming, posted Saturday, July 2nd, 2011, 5:54:50pm at here ” Just a quick question, is the longer one for the front ? And shorter one for the rear? Thanks Ming

Yes, that's right. 

Thanks smart51 just got mine today and very pleased thanks again!

No problem Tiggz.  Let me know if you can tell the difference once they're fitted.

Ricou have your received yours Yet? POsted on Wed Eve via Parcel Force.

Well I had fun at Donnington at the weekend going out on track Its going to be a little hard to give you a before and after as i had the teins new top mounts and the chassis braces fitted but to give you an idea I was staying out infront of a car with the full suzuki sport suspension that was running on R888s  on plastic avons with b*gger all grip and the geometry all Massively out! 

But on turn in I just have so much more confidence and with the LSD i get slight under steer and then controllable power oversteer that was all wild and unmanageable before.

My only gripe is they didn't quite clear the exhaust at the front so i had to fit longer bolts and pack out the brace with washers  but other than that they are a great much needed addition ;D

Haha good job !

I haven't received mine yet, I'll let you know as soon as I do. By the way, you haven't told me how much money I owe you.

“ Quoted from Tiny, posted Tuesday, July 12th, 2011, 10:39:19am at here ” My only gripe is they didn't quite clear the exhaust at the front so i had to fit longer bolts and pack out the brace with washers

Do you have an after market exhaust?  Theres just about enough room on my car with a stock exhaust.  How much did you have to space it out? (just for future reference)

I do have a custom exhasut but it joins just after the cat I think the turbo hangs lower to thanks to the manifold.

It wasnt a huge amount of extra spacing 10mm at most.

Just got these fitted, fits perfectly :).

Not drove the car yet, as i renew all the underseal today! So want to give it a full night to dry!

Ming

I put mine on a week or so ago but had the rear one off and on a few times to get the fit right.  I've got an aftermarket exhaust (Quicksilver I think), and a bracket was meeting the rear chassis brace.  I tried one washer each side first, but that wasn't quite enough.  I then tried grinding the exhaust bracket down a bit, but my little dremmel didn't get very far with that so I used two washers each side in the end, but the same bolts.

I'm very pleased with the results, the car feels significantly more stable on undulating corners.  I've still got a bit of washy-ness but that's due to my bushes, the braces have stiffened the car up heaps.

Thanks smart for putting these together!

Glad to have helped

Hey smart, funds were not available for me during the time you were making this...
Is there any chance you had any spares lying around or would consider putting together a few more?
And post to Australia(at my expense ofcourse)?

Cheers, Brian.

I need a new front one too

mine now has a nice 20' bend in the middle  :P

How the hell did you manage to do that ? :o

Sadly I don't have the time (or inclination to be honest) to make another batch.  Why not make one yourself, or get someone who welds to do it for you.  I used 15x30 mm RHS tube with a 1.5mm wall thickness.  The ends were 32mm diameter tube with a 30mm repair washer welded to the end.  Find a place that does welding and they'll probably knock one up for beer money.

Quick tip,  Use a hole saw to drill through the rectangular tube.  That will give you the "fish mouth" ends that match the short round tubes.

what are the exact lengths? seems easy enough to replicate, might have to get my old man to teach me how to weld

The front is 490mm between mounting centres and the rea 360mm.  Be ware that there is not much space round the mounting hole, particularly towards the centre of the car.  32mm diameter tube just about fits.

How tall do you make the 32mm tube?  About 20mm? I'll post up a pic of the specs when I can ..its a bit easier that way n u can double check the measurements too

“ Quoted from Ricou, posted Monday, October 24th, 2011, 9:12:15pm at here ” How the hell did you manage to do that ? :o

Temporary Speed Hill Actually Grounded the damn car with 4 wheels  up in the air  :o

Why can't it pass the speed bumps ?

BECAUSE RACE CAR !

Because Teins :P

and BEcause Tiny weighs nearly 300lb :P

“ Quoted from ggg, posted Thursday, October 27th, 2011, 9:41:09am at here ” How tall do you make the 32mm tube?  About 20mm? I'll post up a pic of the specs when I can ..its a bit easier that way n u can double check the measurements too

From memory the main tube has to be 11mm lower than the mounting face to fit around the subframe.  You can measure it easy enough.  If you have an aftermarket exhaust you may need more space, but you lose ground clearance so don't over do it.

I don't want to do a self-promoting thread hijack, but I actually have an unused set of smart's braces which I was about to put in the For Sale section...

Was going to put them on the car after I'd had my custom exhaust fitted, but never thought to mention it to the fabricators and how the new centre pipe hangs there is NO way my rear brace will fit, even with spacers :B

Anyway, hijack over, sorry! PM me if interested...

I've just finished making my own and having fitted them

I'm impressed, makes a big difference to the car, it s a lot nicer to drive