S13 bolt in tension arm brace

A forum for approved vendors of specialized, limited-production parts. Help small businesses that cater to Nissan enthusiasts and score some unique, useful parts! Contact [email protected] for approval and rates.
datsun2401972
Posts: 540
Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 10:04 am
Car: 90 240sx coupe XE

Post

If your that concerned about "bolt on" being less rigid than the welded nismo brace, just grind off the coating along the edge of the blocks and pay a muffler shop to put a couple of 1 inch welds down either side of those blocks at the block/Tension rod mount interface.

You could do the same for the crossbar mounting plate on the inner sides of the tension rod mount. Hell you could take the bolts out after that....

Still cheaper than the nismo brace.

My only concern is the weight difference between the nismo brace and stock mounts with this brace kit installed. And is that difference worth the extra 60 to 80 bucks if the nismo brace is lighter?


User avatar
Fenvy
Posts: 5054
Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2004 9:30 am
Car: 2005 350Z Base 6MT

Post

Your opinions of it being stiffer has no solid evident behind it. If you at least measure the diameter between the two than you can probably begin to say something. Right now. You're conveying a biased opinion which is why I said it was an irresponsible claim.

I can go on this all day but it's not fair to Johnny Fratz so I'll stop here. I won't be reading your response because I will be lured to respond.

User avatar
mestizo
Posts: 254
Joined: Sun Nov 19, 2006 3:52 pm
Location: Sacramento CA USA
Contact:

Post

datsun2401972 wrote:If your that concerned about "bolt on" being less rigid than the welded nismo brace, just grind off the coating along the edge of the blocks and pay a muffler shop to put a couple of 1 inch welds down either side of those blocks at the block/Tension rod mount interface.
Exactly! Just weld it and your good. As for the weight of the bolt on version I can get some specs for you on Jon's brace as well as the Nismo since Jon has a Nismo brace.
Loveless wrote:Your opinions of it being stiffer has no solid evident behind it. If you at least measure the diameter between the two than you can probably begin to say something. Right now. You're conveying a biased opinion which is why I said it was an irresponsible claim.

I can go on this all day but it's not fair to Johnny Fratz so I'll stop here. I won't be reading your response because I will be lured to respond.
Ok Im not trying to argue, but you seemed to start things off on a bad note with me.

If you want to go tit for tat we can. Your claims of Jon's brace not being more solid or "stiffer" are also "irresponsible" as you put it. That is if we go by your "biased" opinion. Considering you have no factual evidence of the Nismo bar being sitffer or more rigid than Jon's.

I am glad you can go all day like this... however I cannot. I was stating my opinion, which to me is a fact. Jon does great work and his brace's are top quality. I am here to vouch for him and not argue about which one is better as it is a moot point. Whatever is best for you is what you should buy.

Jonnie Fraz
Posts: 99
Joined: Wed May 23, 2007 3:44 pm

Post

You guys need not worry about Mestizo's abillity to test parts. He is one of my factory test pilots, and is a very key member of the Stealth custom fab Team. He has been involved in the design of all our parts, yes all. We are testing several other braces for S13, S14, and AE86's. He has been involved in motorsports for longer than some members have been alive. If he states his opinion I take it as fact. I do not knock the Nismo brace, it is a great product! It is a little pricey, but comes with new brackets. Shipping is way steep also. Like others have stated The Stealth brace has big bang for little bucks, and that was what I was after.

Thanks Jonnie

User avatar
AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

Post

If anyone's worried about the weight difference, I can tell you this:

Even if it DID matter, which it doesn't, your paint weighs more than either one of them.

Lots of people CLAIM to care about weight reduction, but they're the same people with heavy wheels, audio components, extra wiring, electric windows (or windows at all), sunroof, full interior.

Regardless, even if it is 10 lbs heavier (which it isn't, it's actually within a pound), it's still below the centerline of the axles, which means it's fairly irrelevant.

Guys, remember to look at this for what it is: An inexpensive fix for a terribly weak part of your suspension.

datsun2401972
Posts: 540
Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 10:04 am
Car: 90 240sx coupe XE

Post

AZhitman wrote:Regardless, even if it is 10 lbs heavier (which it isn't, it's actually within a pound), it's still below the centerline of the axles, which means it's fairly irrelevant.

Guys, remember to look at this for what it is: An inexpensive fix for a terribly weak part of your suspension.
Hell, if it's within a pound of the nismo brace I'd say it's an inexpensive fix for a terribly weak part of your suspension that meets or exceeds my expectations...

User avatar
AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

Post

^ LOL yep.

And by weak, I mean you can flex the factory tension arms BY HAND.

User avatar
MagikDragon
Posts: 2385
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2005 3:48 pm
Car: 1991 240SX, 1992 240SX, 1986 MB 190E 2.3-16
Location: Danbury, CT
Contact:

Post

AZhitman wrote:Lots of people CLAIM to care about weight reduction, but they're the same people with heavy wheels, audio components, extra wiring, electric windows (or windows at all), sunroof, full interior.
HAHA Greg, I know that feeling all too well, This looks like a quality part and it is deffinatly something I will be picking up for my street car, when I'm not pissing away money on the race car...

User avatar
Dano
Posts: 15784
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 8:01 pm
Car: '05 Nismo Frontier CC / '95 240sx base
Location: Kansas City, KS/ Phx, AZ
Contact:

Post

Send me an S14 piece when they're done and i'll be happy to write up a full review on it!

-Dan

Jonnie Fraz
Posts: 99
Joined: Wed May 23, 2007 3:44 pm

Post

Dano wrote:Send me an S14 piece when they're done and i'll be happy to write up a full review on it!

-Dan
Dan,

I would love to...The problem is that the S14 brace is a PITA to install. The right way to do it would be to take off the existing brackets and drill one hole in each for the bolt on.Here is a pic of the prototype bolted into my jig.The thing is crazy stiff, but even a little more work to install than the Nismo.

User avatar
Dano
Posts: 15784
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 8:01 pm
Car: '05 Nismo Frontier CC / '95 240sx base
Location: Kansas City, KS/ Phx, AZ
Contact:

Post

Hmm, is the s14 setup really that much different than the s13?

-Dan

Jonnie Fraz
Posts: 99
Joined: Wed May 23, 2007 3:44 pm

Post

Yep...The S14 does not have holes on the inside of the TC bracket, so they need to be drilled. Some model years do not have the holes period. If you realy want to do it let me know.

User avatar
Dano
Posts: 15784
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 8:01 pm
Car: '05 Nismo Frontier CC / '95 240sx base
Location: Kansas City, KS/ Phx, AZ
Contact:

Post

Sorry, I was gone until last night so hadn't viewed your post. My '95 has the holes on one side and that setup uses the pre-existing t/c rod bushing bolt, so i'd only have to drill one hole in each side correct? That's nothing if that's the case, I know it's at an akward angle, but i'd rather give it hell for the sake of doing it on car.

I have a question though, what is that gold bracket for... power steering bracket or something ? Would you still be utilizing an anti-crush spacer in that area?

-Dan

Jonnie Fraz
Posts: 99
Joined: Wed May 23, 2007 3:44 pm

Post

Yes the gold bracket is power steering bracket. Yes I would be sending the anti-crush spacers. If you are going to do it on the car I realy recomend dropping the sway bar to get to the TC nut to torque it correctly.

Thanks for the intrestJonnie

User avatar
Dano
Posts: 15784
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 8:01 pm
Car: '05 Nismo Frontier CC / '95 240sx base
Location: Kansas City, KS/ Phx, AZ
Contact:

Post

That would work nicely since i'm planning on replacing the swaybar endlink bushings with poly here soon too. Lemme know when you have one complete and ready to test out.

-Dan

User avatar
homeslicej2
Posts: 5450
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:46 pm
Car: 1990 S13 SR'd hatch

Post

This is great! I'm loving this fabricator's market so far. I'm going to go with your product instead of the NISMO one when budgeting allows. Looks great btw.

User avatar
EW
Posts: 914
Joined: Fri May 20, 2005 2:29 pm
Car: 95 S14
98 Cobra
06 F150 supercrew
Location: DFW, TX

Post

Looking forward to pricing on the S14 brace and development of S14 fender braces.

User avatar
jgauspohl
Posts: 1227
Joined: Mon May 05, 2003 12:52 pm
Car: 97' S14 SR24VET
92' S13 S14 SR20DET
90' Golf GTI
91' S13 siltruck project
Contact:

Post

looks like you have the attention of another s14 owner...should you have an s14 one...I have cash ready...if not I'm buying a nismo and powdercoating my subframe to match before I put in my MMR subframe bushings (which are the **** btw)...I've got stances on the ride. If you have one in GOLD maybe?

User avatar
Dano
Posts: 15784
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 8:01 pm
Car: '05 Nismo Frontier CC / '95 240sx base
Location: Kansas City, KS/ Phx, AZ
Contact:

Post

jgauspohl wrote:looks like you have the attention of another s14 owner...should you have an s14 one...I have cash ready...if not I'm buying a nismo and powdercoating my subframe to match before I put in my MMR subframe bushings (which are the **** btw)...I've got stances on the ride. If you have one in GOLD maybe?
He's working on an S14 piece already, have some patience! I'm sure you could get it in raw/unpainted so when you get it you can paint/ powdercoat whatever the heck you want on it

-Dan

User avatar
jgauspohl
Posts: 1227
Joined: Mon May 05, 2003 12:52 pm
Car: 97' S14 SR24VET
92' S13 S14 SR20DET
90' Golf GTI
91' S13 siltruck project
Contact:

Post

haha jk...well it seems I won't be driving the car for awhile anyway...I converted the rear of my car to z32 setup...and stance is out of the adapters which I paid for (because they were "supposedly" in stock)...but will be a couple weeks till they arrive. Definitely hit me up though whenever.

User avatar
1unar3clipse
Posts: 1543
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:22 pm
Car: 93 240sx HB, 01 Dodge Dakota SLT

Post

Wow that setup looks nice, $90 for one of these kits?When you start producing them for sales count me in.

User avatar
SAINTJ
Posts: 38
Joined: Sun Dec 24, 2006 6:42 pm
Car: Infiniti Q45T/A

Post

[QUOTE=Can you do one for a 94 [email protected] code:27524I would love to have one for my Q...thanks[/QUOTE]

User avatar
mestizo
Posts: 254
Joined: Sun Nov 19, 2006 3:52 pm
Location: Sacramento CA USA
Contact:

Post

LOL it's funny you ask cuz Jon may be prototyping a Q45 brace this weekend.

User avatar
AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

Post

I found an awesome additional use for mine: It now serves as the front mounting point for my skid plate.

User avatar
homeslicej2
Posts: 5450
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:46 pm
Car: 1990 S13 SR'd hatch

Post

AZhitman wrote:I found an awesome additional use for mine: It now serves as the front mounting point for my skid plate.
Pics of said skid plate attached and price for skid plate? Btw I got my NICOclub cards to pass out/place on windshields

User avatar
AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

Post

Cost: $2 scrap steel.

Pics: Maybe - Nothing pretty, just a rectangular plate attached to the subframe and curving up over the tension arm brace...

User avatar
homeslicej2
Posts: 5450
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:46 pm
Car: 1990 S13 SR'd hatch

Post

Pics, pics, pics, pics . Sounds like a good deal for a skid plate considering what some people/companies want.

User avatar
turbo2nr
Posts: 1810
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:53 pm
Car: 97 240sx (kouki)

Post

+2 i will deffanitly pick one up... i was in the market to buy one soon, if its available by winter i will deffinatly pick one up.

thanks

User avatar
grmreapr
Posts: 692
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 6:00 am
Car: 89 rps13, 02 mazda protege
Location: NJ/PA

Post

hm might have to go with this for my s13 hopefully monday

User avatar
eazye2000
Posts: 1881
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:42 am
Car: S13 KA-DET
Location: Inverness, FL
Contact:

Post

Dang, now I see this when it's too late! Story of my life...

I welded plates onto the bottom of those brackets trying to stiffen them up. I'll have to go look to see if I could slip the Anti-Crush brackets in there.

...it's a sad day for me


Return to “Fabricators' Market”