Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order Now!

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ARCHINSTL
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by ARCHINSTL »

I forgot to ask, and excuse my ignorance, but - will this bolt right up without having to use longer/more mounting bolts in the strut mounts? I have KYB mounts.
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by ohcanada_00 »

ARCHINSTL wrote:I will - but - after the first of the year; I've spent too much this year, what with the Daisys, tires, propeller shaft,the Bosal muffler/pipe and front pipe, and rear bearings, bushings, and KYBs.
Tom M.
You know to make it easier to convince the wife, can I wait and throw in with Tom that way there are at least two at the same time which might make your fabricator a little happier? might be able to drum up a couple more between now and then too so we have kind of a group buy thing going?
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by St6fan »

ARCHINSTL wrote:I forgot to ask, and excuse my ignorance, but - will this bolt right up without having to use longer/more mounting bolts in the strut mounts? I have KYB mounts.
Tom M.
Hey Tom - I don't know about the aftermarket stuff but the fabricator said there's enough thread in the stock three mounting points atop the strut tower to work fine. I'll take pics when I get the first two done?
ohcanada_00 wrote:You know to make it easier to convince the wife, can I wait and throw in with Tom that way there are at least two at the same time which might make your fabricator a little happier? might be able to drum up a couple more between now and then too so we have kind of a group buy thing going?
Yeah - look, I'm not saving any money or anything with a group buy. I think the time for each one is about the same and he works to an hourly rate so it's sorta fixed. I'm going to get mine and am happy to offer the same to others here. It would just mean for less running around for me to get them done all at once. But whatever you want. If my enthusiasm is still up to get it done for you later in the year, I'll let you know! ;)

I'm actually kinda jazzed with this guy. If the bracing goes well, I'm going to ask him about subframe options and sways, etc... :)
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by Petros »

St6fan wrote:So, thus far we have two orders. Anyone else (Petros?) let me know - you could pick it, saving on shipping and we could kick tyres! :P

This fabricator will also make *anything* else. Sway bars, etc... If there's anything the aftermarket doesn't cater for that can be made, he'll make it. :)
That is a bit out of my budget right now. Though that is a very competitive price for custom made brace. I have a Nissan one I got at a wrecking yard cheap, and I am working on adapting it to fit the Tercel.

I might take him up on the making "anything" later when I get further along with my conversion.

I have read that strut braces noticeably reduces the understeer (at least on other cars), so I am looking forward to trying one out. I suspect our car frame is a bit of a flexy flyer, seeing that it was designed as an econo-box hatch back.
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by St6fan »

Petros wrote:That is a bit out of my budget right now. Though that is a very competitive price for custom made brace. I have a Nissan one I got at a wrecking yard cheap, and I am working on adapting it to fit the Tercel.

I might take him up on the making "anything" later when I get further along with my conversion.

I have read that strut braces noticeably reduces the understeer (at least on other cars), so I am looking forward to trying one out. I suspect our car frame is a bit of a flexy flyer, seeing that it was designed as an econo-box hatch back.
No probs, just let me know as/when.

As for econoboxes naturally flexing, I'm not sure that's entirely true. Back in the UK I owned a/several Peugeot 205 GTi, Ranault 5GT Turbo, Citroen AX GT, Citroen Saxo VTS 16, Starlet Turbo (Jap Import) Del-Dol SiR, and loads more. All were marketed at basic boxes with a hot option there and ALL handles amazingly with simply bracing, ARB, suspension and brakes. I expect that with the bracing and ARBs up front, flex there will be pretty much negated. I'd appreciate your help looking into subframe locking options, too.

Oh, and a carb install when you're feeling generous. How about I buy your brace and you fit a Weber for me? :D
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by Petros »

St6fan wrote:Oh, and a carb install when you're feeling generous. How about I buy your brace and you fit a Weber for me? :D

I would do that. PM me about details and what stuff you have available there. Or do you want to come to my place (where I know I have everything we will need). I am about 1.5 to 2 hours drive from you depending on how you hit the ferry.
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by smilesforu »

str6 where are you located? I am in port angeles and would be interested in taking a look if your close.
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by Petros »

St6fan wrote:Sounds like a plan! :)...Can you let me have a concise shopping list and I'll get everything ordered.
Go to the thread on the weber instillation and get the list of parts. I have a junk 3A carb we can pull the throttle bell crank off and have the mod done to have a good working throttle.

St6fan wrote:You fancy looking at suspension options too? :)
Sure, why not? Gas filled struts, what else? Or anything else you want to install. How about an MR2 front brake upgrade? I can do one of those in under 2 hours, assuming we have all the parts. See my thread on the topic, I even have an MR2 brake booster to sell you. I can give you a list of parts to get, or that I need to get locally.
St6fan wrote:I also keep a Mazda MPV 4WD in the fleet too - though mine's a stripped-out fishing/hunting rig. Have you had to change the starter yet? :P
Yes, several times (it has almost 300k miles on it, it is on its second engine and trans). It is easier to remove the exhaust manifold, not to try and get at it from the bottom like the idiot FSM tells you. IT has been a good work horse, though it is showing it's age, and my wife likes the Buick my parents gave us (I hate it). Wish it got better MPG, getting costly to operate.
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by St6fan »

Petros wrote:Go to the thread on the weber instillation and get the list of parts. I have a junk 3A carb we can pull the throttle bell crank off and have the mod done to have a good working throttle.
Will do!
Petros wrote:Sure, why not? Gas filled struts, what else? Or anything else you want to install. How about an MR2 front brake upgrade? I can do one of those in under 2 hours, assuming we have all the parts. See my thread on the topic, I even have an MR2 brake booster to sell you. I can give you a list of parts to get, or that I need to get locally.
Anything you fancy! I'm happy to buy anything you're happy to help me fit though you have to let me make it up to you properly!
Petros wrote:Yes, several times (it has almost 300k miles on it, it is on its second engine and trans). It is easier to remove the exhaust manifold, not to try and get at it from the bottom like the idiot FSM tells you. IT has been a good work horse, though it is showing it's age, and my wife likes the Buick my parents gave us (I hate it). Wish it got better MPG, getting costly to operate.
[/quote]
I love mine. I couldn't work out the starter at all - gave it to my mechanic on a fixed rate of $200 and made him HATE me!
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by St6fan »

Petros wrote:Go to the thread on the weber instillation and get the list of parts. I have a junk 3A carb we can pull the throttle bell crank off and have the mod done to have a good working throttle.
Will do!
Petros wrote:Sure, why not? Gas filled struts, what else? Or anything else you want to install. How about an MR2 front brake upgrade? I can do one of those in under 2 hours, assuming we have all the parts. See my thread on the topic, I even have an MR2 brake booster to sell you. I can give you a list of parts to get, or that I need to get locally.
Anything you fancy! I'm happy to buy anything you're happy to help me fit though you have to let me make it up to you properly!
Petros wrote:Yes, several times (it has almost 300k miles on it, it is on its second engine and trans). It is easier to remove the exhaust manifold, not to try and get at it from the bottom like the idiot FSM tells you. IT has been a good work horse, though it is showing it's age, and my wife likes the Buick my parents gave us (I hate it). Wish it got better MPG, getting costly to operate.
I love mine. I couldn't work out the starter at all - gave it to my mechanic on a fixed rate of $200 and made him HATE me! And they do EAT gas, huh?
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by SynthDesign »

I'm curios.

Also it's gotta be able to clear a weber carb as well as stock carb and possibly a 4AC transplant. Just throwin it out there.

St6fan, You know a 4A-GE powered Tercel will need it!

If you got a Fab guy that can do sway bars and mounts, I REALLY wanna stiffer front one!
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by St6fan »

SynthDesign wrote:I'm curios.

Also it's gotta be able to clear a weber carb as well as stock carb and possibly a 4AC transplant. Just throwin it out there.

St6fan, You know a 4A-GE powered Tercel will need it!

If you got a Fab guy that can do sway bars and mounts, I REALLY wanna stiffer front one!
Hey, looking at the ARB on the front, I thought it was plenty big enough. Huge compared to lots of cars with such an, erm, modest amount of power. I can ask him about ARBs...

Anyway, I had the first two (one for me, one for Petros) built and I've been able to try it out in high and low friction driving. The handling difference is surprisingly big - perhaps the biggest change I've seen in a car with a upper brace of the ten or so I've done over the years.

The understeer issue is almost completely gone - even when hard-cornering in the wet the front end is so much more stable with much more traction. The feeling, in general, I get from the steering is much more positive, even with my aging shocks. I'm going to spray them then I'll grab a snap and post it.
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by 4wdchico »

Please let us know how much clearance is between the strut bar and the stock air cleaner assy if possible.

Cool stuff, thanks for taking the initiative on this.
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by St6fan »

4wdchico wrote:Please let us know how much clearance is between the strut bar and the stock air cleaner assy if possible.

Cool stuff, thanks for taking the initiative on this.
No probs. It goes behind the assembly. I felt this would be the most future-proofed way of doing things.

Just grabbed a snap with my laptop webcam:

Image
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by ARCHINSTL »

Another BIG THANKS for the writeup, pix, and info - and your work.
I WILL be in touch in January!
Tom M.
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