Strut brace - good idea?

I've seen numerous ads for a strut brace (a bar that attaches to the front top strut housings inside trunk lid), and wondered if this is a real upgrade or just nonsense. The claim is that it prevents the struts from moving independantly under hard cornering thereby improving stability around those oh-so-fun curves.

Any thoughts?

This falls under the "No downside other then the money it cost" upgrade. I have one on mine. There is some validity to the theory. The 911 minus a front mounted engine loses some body rigidity between the shock housings. Whether this is enough to cause a "noticeable" difference to occasion performance driving is debateable. Under severe autocrossing or track driving with competition tires is a different matter. The load place by wider, stickier tires is greatly increased. The strut brace helps to hold your camber settings and actually allow more negative camber by cranking the bar to pull the shocks inward. It also makes a cool drying rack for your detail rags! There are more expensive ones out there but I actually like the Weltmeister for around $175. It not only ties in the the shocks, but also mounts to the body .



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8 9 9 1 1, The last of the line.

[This message has been edited by 89911 (edited 03-21-2001).]

[This message has been edited by 89911 (edited 03-21-2001).]

Another data point - the early targas have quite a bit of cowl shake due to their lack of roof (later targas and cabs have extra re-inforcing to combat this flexing).

Anything you can do to minimize this chassis flex is highly desirable. The strut brace is very noticable on my 70 Targa (granted I do run a slightly modified suspension, and 55-series DOT-R tires)...

Thanks. Since I have a cab, I think it'll be worth a try. I'll check with PP on availability and pricing. Another question. . .is there any drilling / realignment, etc., involved in installation? Anything to watch out for?

Thanks,
Mike 94 C2 cab

Wonder if anybody has "Camber Trust" strut brace? How's is it compare to Weltmeister? Thinking to buy one but can't decide which one to get?
Andy
'87 Carrera

The camber trust is good, but I think it is about twice the price of the Weltmeister. More of a "downside".

In my opinion the "Stable Energies" camber truss is the best. It has additional diagonal braces that eliminate the towers moving in parallel. It is more effective than just the single horizontal bar.

I whole-heartedly agree with the above statements about Targas and Cabriolets. They make a very noticeable improvement in cowl stiffness in these cars and reduce cowl shake quite a bit. Makes the car feel tighter and less wiggly.

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Tyson Schmidt
72 911 Cabriolet

I have the weltmeister but at the time I was unaware of the camber truss. Probably would go that route if I did it again. But be aware that the usability of the trunk is impaired by either type; much moreso w/ the triangulated styles.

You say that the Weltmeister bar can make the camber of the front wheels more negative!.
Does this have any detremental effect on the front suspension ?(strain/stress)
Otherwise sounds a convenient way to adjust fwd camber!
any advice appreciated
Rgds Ben

I also have the Weltmeister Brace on my 83SC
Targa.The main thing I noticed is that the top squeeks less with the strut brace.

By turnings the bar, you can pull the shock towers in slightly. The real benefit is that is helps to hold this setting under extreme strain.

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8 9 9 1 1, The last of the line.

"...helps to hold this setting under extreme strain."

Does this mean that the front end will stick better or reduce the push you get in corners?

Otherwise, what is the advantage of holding your camber settings under sever conditions?

If it only makes you feel better psychologically, is it worth adding?

Joe

I don't have any experience with these, but I recall Bruce Anderson saying in his book that they have little effect on the 911.

I read several comments here that say they do help. But I don't want to spend $200 bucks for a placebo.

I've also heard the truss type bars are very heavy, and forget about trunk space.

Anyone else have experience that can support or refute the benefit?

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'86 Cab, '77 Targa, '85 toyota 4wd rain mobile http://www.cheaterswayside.com/911/

I have put one in every 911 I have owned...

If you don't want to spend $200, I see them available quite often for $100 used. Another option is to make one--check out Stock Car Products Inc (Don't laugh...If you need to fabricate stuff, these guys have a lot of useful stuff...also check out aircraft supply places like Spruce--both have great catalogs); an aluminum Panhard Bar will cost you about $20 and the rod ends about another $16.

As a data point, the 94 Turbo 3.6 came standard with the strut tower brace. Didn't the 993 also include it as a standard component?

David

I have the Camber Truss Stable Energies bar in my 911. It takes up a good bit of your trunk space, no question.

I don't know if it made much difference in the feel/handling. I don't have any track time in the 911 yet.


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Kevin
87 Carrera

Meanwhile, can we catogorize the camber truss under superstitions and witchcraft, like K&N filters, holes in your air cleaners...etc.

What else can we waste our money on...or are we so gullible?

Cheers,

Joe