Targa/CabOwners: Read! Just Installed Triangulated Camber Truss

kristian85 · kristian85's Garage

From Stable Energies. I am not given to hyperbole over products--I'm really quite sceptical over BS claims and such.

THIS THING MADE A **PROFOUND** DIFFERENCE IN THE FRONT-END FEEL AND OVERALL RIGIDITY OF THE CAR. *PROFOUND*.

I am really dead serious. It should be an absolute must for open-roof 911's. You should simply not consider anything but a triangulated brace. It's truly a big-time *WOW*, obvious after rolling 5 feet. And, my car is structurally very sound and stiff for a Targa.

Those who say they can't tell a difference on the street are flat wrong or not sensitive to what their cars are doing. The difference is marked during regular stop and go driving.

falcon · falcon's Garage

Thanks for your insights. You are the first that I know of to actually install one. I think this design is the best way to go instead of just one bar attaching to each pillar top.
Did you get the steel or the aluminum version? How easy was the installation.

Randall

Vipergrün · 01-08-2003, 06:58 PM

Our buddy Chuck has some good tech info on his site on his product, which is probably similar.

http://www.elephantracing.com/suspension/strutbrace/strutbrace.htm

I have been thinking about one for my 80SC Coupe...

old_skul · 01-08-2003, 07:33 PM

I'm sold on the bar, and I'll probably get one this spring. I'm really curious about the body brace though - the one that attaches at the seatbelt points. Does this help at all?

avi8torny · 04:06 AM

I bought one used from a racer on Rennlist and also noticed a significant difference during last year DE season. With the same rubber, the car turned in more predictably with a noticable decrease in understeer.

RE: the body brace....the Brey-Krause Harness guide bar incorporates this type of system which firms up that particular installation. I don't think it necessarily stiffens the chassis though. Past threads have detailed that the Targa body has been stiffened significantly and weighs nearly the same as the coupe because of this. I don't find any noticable flex with mine..tracks just as fast as the coupe's.

Bones · Bones's Garage

Kristian can you post a URL?

magilla · 01-09-2003, 04:20 AM

I have a Stable Energies brace in my Coupe. (Sorry, Chuck, I bought it before you put yours out).

It is stiffer, but not nearly as much as in a cab, I'm sure.

Here is a pic:

falcon · falcon's Garage

the url is www.stableenergies.com

kristian85 · kristian85's Garage

Drove it 100 miles last nite--32-35 degrees, perfect stars, top off--it is NOT subtle, boy, what a difference in overall chassis stiffness, reduced understeer, more precise high-speed cornering--it's a changed car.http://www.stable-energies.com/stable/camber.html

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

I have had the AJUSA strut brace in my car since I first purchased it. Has anyone used the "regular" straight strut brace and then moved to the triangular brace? I would be interested to hear some real life comments regarding the performance between the two.

kristian85 · kristian85's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by pbs911
I have had the AJUSA strut brace in my car since I first purchased it. Has anyone used the "regular" straight strut brace and then moved to the triangular brace? I would be interested to hear some real life comments regarding the performance between the two.

That, I believe, is precisely the key to what I'm experiencing. It's pure physics--bound to render the entire front of the car much more rigid.

Superman · 01-09-2003, 08:44 AM

Tyson told me the same thing. In fact his girlfriend/passenger also noticed and commented. Apparently the difference is dramatic. In non-coupes.

Vipergrün · 01-09-2003, 08:49 AM

Kristian, how was the installation? What do the angled parts bolt to? Any chance of anything tearing out over time? Got any pics?

thanks!

targa911man · targa911man's Garage

Kristian--

You've convinced me. It's on my project list.

Chuck Moreland · 01-09-2003, 09:07 AM

I've got one (stable energies) sitting in my garage. If anyone wants to buy it used, email me.

If you're interested in the Elephant Racing triangulated brace (much lighter, more ridgid) you can get them from Pelican.

kristian85 · kristian85's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Moreland
I've got one (stable energies) sitting in my garage. If anyone wants to buy it used, email me.

If you're interested in the Elephant Racing triangulated brace (much lighter, more ridgid) you can get them from Pelican.

Hmm--it doesn't look like the elephant brace would be more rigid--it only has one cross brace, and doesn't tie into the center of the car. it's essentially transferring energy from one tower to the other, when it is the towers that are weak. it's exactly the idea that the shock tower energy is transferred in toward the center of the car in two places that seems to be the thing.

And, I got their aluminum version--what I can guarantee you is that weight is not a concern. A couple, or 75, pounds more or less just doesn't really make a difference in reality when the whol thing weighs 27-2900 lbs.

David McLaughlin · David McLaughlin's Garage

Hey Magilla,
Nice looking brace. Funny how the carpet cut on the passanger side looks better than the drivers side.

Seriously, how do you know how much to tighten up the center nut? It seems to me if it's too loose, it won't be as effective and if too tight could throw off your camber.

Next question: Chuck, does your fit the back of a 914 like the Stable Energies brace? What's the difference between the two?

kristian85 · kristian85's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by bb80sc
Kristian, how was the installation? What do the angled parts bolt to? Any chance of anything tearing out over time? Got any pics?

thanks!

Nope, no drilling or anything--it's really very ingenious when you see how it's done. you'll also then know why it's so bloody strong. should install in 1/2-1 hour, and I'd get the car realigned.

Argo · 01-09-2003, 09:48 AM

I'm curious - why the realignment?

Argo
88 Targa

Chuck Moreland · 01-09-2003, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kristian85
Hmm--it doesn't look like the elephant brace would be more rigid--it only has one cross brace, and doesn't tie into the center of the car. it's essentially transferring energy from one tower to the other, when it is the towers that are weak. it's exactly the idea that the shock tower energy is transferred in toward the center of the car in two places that seems to be the thing.

And, I got their aluminum version--what I can guarantee you is that weight is not a concern. A couple, or 75, pounds more or less just doesn't really make a difference in reality when the whol thing weighs 27-2900 lbs.

The SA bar is less ridgid because the diagonals tie to the center of the floor. Despite the diagonal braces, that design does not triangulate the strut towers.

For an explanaition of triangulation and how it creates ridgidity, check this:
http://www.elephantracing.com/techtopic/triangulation.htm

Proper triangulation puts all members in pure tension or compression, no bending loads on the members. The SA diagonals tie to the center of the floor and attempt to bend it. This compromises the ridgity of the design.

With a proper triangulated design, a second diagonal brace does not add any ridgidity. Properly sized members provide adequate strength with a single diagonal, and with less weight.

Kristian, you are obviously pleased with your purchase and I don't intend to take the wind from your sail. The SA product is certainly more ridgid than a regular single-bar brace. Your driving experience confirms this.