993 Strut Tower Brace

[pfecteau]

Any of you able to give a before/after treatise on performance benefit of a strut tower brace for 993 coupe (C4S, specifically)?

thanks,
Paul

[Melv]

Just do it!! It'll tighten up the front end and rule out a little of the characteristic understeer.

Mel

[verysideways]

I had one on my C4S - i found that under hard cornering, more on the road than on the track, i could feel some flex in the front of the car.
On the track, with a smooth surface, this didn't seem to be much of a problem but on the road (with bumps!) it was a little unnnerving, more so when the front wheels started pulling.

I got a Roock strut brace and that made all the difference, the steering feeling more sensitive to corrections.

I now have that same strut brace on my C2, though here it seems to make less of a difference.

Hope this helps.

VS

[james_j]

I fitted a Porsche one to mine. Seems to tighten things up a bit (steering feel), though may increase understeer a little at extremes. Reduces windscreen creaks also.

[pfecteau]

Thanks. Do you adjust the bar so that it pushes the strut tops apart (as long as possible) or so that it pulls them together (as short as possible)?

There is a brace for sale to PCA members at ajusa.com for $160. If it is direct bolt on, I think I'll pick one up.

pf

[verysideways]

Think i saw one on ebay yesterday, might still be there....

{runs off}

{comes back}

Yep, i did, here it is:
eBay Item #2498135912

VS

[MauriceC2S]

Paul, I think these give best advantage on cars shod with 18s (like ours). Crisper turn in and better behaviour on bumpy roads.

I started with the RS one, went to the delightful Matter GT2 Evo one piece ally tube, which is light and strong. Clones are still available at carnewal and others. Take care torquing it up when fitting ..... the studs in the struts strip easily.

cheers, Maurice

[james_j]

pfecteau said:

Thanks. Do you adjust the bar so that it pushes the strut tops apart (as long as possible) or so that it pulls them together (as short as possible)? There is a brace for sale to PCA members at ajusa.com for $160. If it is direct bolt on, I think I'll pick one up. pf

Adjust so that the bar opens (i.e. pushing apart) but not actually moving the towers apart, just firm pressure.

As Maurice says, take care with the tower nuts - about 18 to 20 foot pounds max. I think. The threads strip easily.

[MauriceC2S]

The ebay one is a Matter clone, unless it bears the badge - no adjustment required (or possible)...

cheers, Maurice

[pfecteau]

Besides the weight advantage of the GT2 Evo bar, does the lack of moving parts buy you anything?

PS I checked out Carnewal - what a tasty little store! I think, MauriceC2S, you are my wallet's new worst friend.