[flash]

i finally got around to working this out - sorry it took so long



those of you at hershey got a sneak peek at this



many of you have had the same problem i have with the KLA strut tower brace - i've been running it for almost 4 years now, and have been very happy with the performance - there has been no better unit out there, and the price is definitely attractive - however, it can make contact with the vanity cover on some cars - functionally the brace was fine, but cosmetically it left some room for improvement, and then the interference issue was still there



so, i had been talking about a solution for a long time, and i finally got around to making a prototype - i've driven it, tested it, and am happy with it - there are no intereference issues - the brackets are considerably stronger than the KLA - it is pre-load adjustable - i will be making a couple of minor changes in the production model, but it is essentially as is - the "slot" finish is not yet determined, but i will probably offer black as an option to unfinished (as is shown here)



i have not worked out the pricing yet, as i am shopping around CNC shops to get the cost down, so don't ask - you really don't want to pay the prototype cost



i am guaging interest, as this will be an automated run, so if you want one, drop an email to me by clicking the email button (no PMs please - the box fills too fast)



the unit will be available exclusively through RS Barn



here are some pics:



   



   



   

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[94SilverCab]

And mine will be Serial number 0001...right?



Regards,



Jay

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[biotechee]

Bob-



M.O.C. for the bar?



Did you consider using the spherical end connections instead of a bolt through a machined hole? Reason I ask is a strut bar is typically just for eliminating (or reducing) spread or compression of the perpendicular distance between the struts (one plane of movement). It does not prevent against, nor is it designed for accommodating "twisting". You would have to triangulate, among other things, to combat twisting. As such, any twisting (multi-plane movement) may put a load on the attachment points you have and weaken the attachment lobe on the mouting brackets. By using those spherical end links, you can accommodate for some twisting without stressing the rest of the bar components (brackets) and maintain your fixed single-plane distance between the strut towers. Now if you go ahead and triangulate (which I know you probably want to do!!!)... Just thinking out loud...



Anyway, I am interested in one and will email said interest! Thanks for stepping up and developing one!



PS Perhaps you can get a little engraving done on the exposed face? It is only CNC after all!

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[Renalicious]

I have a feeling there will be a lot of KLA strut braces for sale as soon as this unit comes online <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[biotechee]

Oops- nevermind my comment on the spherical end link- I went back and looked more closely and I see you already have one in there!!! I'd still like to see one on the other side too, but I love it nonetheless... make mine serial #0002!

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[Anchorman]

Hold off a minute, folks. Since I have #001 of the Flash Chassis Stiffener, I have dibs on #001 for the strut tower brace. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> (However, since I am an economically motivated guy, I could put the position up for bids...)

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[flash]

yes, i considered it - however, to achieve the clearance and not have the unit twist and hit the cover, one end needed to be fixed



lol - and yes, i am contemplating engraving

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[PorscheDude]

<--- No serial # required

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[flash]

lol - lots of emails coming - very cool - this is looking good already - i should have firm pricing early next week - i expect them to only take a few days to make



this is fun

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[Renalicious]

Next thing you know our cars will be leaning into corners, stepping over debris, and talking to the driver "Good morning sir, may I reccommend 3rd gear at 4300 RPM at these next set of corners. And may I say your driving has been very exemplory today. Thank you." <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[968rz]

[quote name='Renalicious' post='35403' date='May 11 2007, 08:10 PM']Next thing you know our cars will be leaning into corners, stepping over debris, and talking to the driver "Good morning sir, may I reccommend 3rd gear at 4300 RPM at these next set of corners. And may I say your driving has been very exemplory today. Thank you." <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />[/quote]

<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Cloud9...68]

This brace looks great. As usual, though I have a question, one that hopefully doesn't open any old wounds. Why is it that strut tower braces have caused such venomous arguments (I'm speaking primarily about the on-life-support 968.net) among so many in the 968 community? Is there a significant difference in the effectiveness of the different models, or is it just a matter of people getting their panties in a bunch over their personal preferences? I have a Cargraphics, and it seems to work fine (not that I think I could tell the difference between this one and the others), and it doesn't seem to have any clearance problems. Having said that, Flash's is much prettier, and I would definitely be on the list to order one if I didn't already have mine. Thanks.

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[H2Ojazz]

Well, duh. I installed my KLA today, haddionlyknown!

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[94SilverCab]

Cloud....



A fair question to ask, and since my position with regard to RS bBarn is well established I will take a swing at answering.



In my mind the only 2 options for Strut Braces were the KLA and the Dynotech. By all acoounts the Dynotech brace was a work of art, beautiful and well made. Unfortunately Scott decided that he could no longer spare the time to make them (and just as I was gong to pull the trigger). The KLA bar has been known to have clearance issues with the vanity cover, and despite my ever increasing slide dow n the modification road, I would like the next owner of my car to be able to unbolt any modifications to suit their needs. Bob has taken the time to consider all of these issues in creating this new Strut Tower Brace. It is beautiful and compliments the engine compartment aesthetically as well as functionally. This is going to be a HIT!



Regards,



Jay

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[S_Cal968]

Very Nice..!

Coincidentally I contacted KLA a couple of years ago and suggested upgrading their bracket to the design you have; sadly it fell on deaf ears.



Hmm, perhaps I need to find an aftermarket part to re-design and have Pete market it... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

cloud - no worries - happy to answer any quesitons i can - i have sent you a PM addressing some of them - i didn't want to bog down the forward progress by sidetracking this thread - i am happy to discuss them publically, with nothing to hide, but feel a new thread shoudl be started if that is the desire of the masses



i have a few questions, just out of curiousity - i did not have the benefit of seeing the cargraphic in person, and if there was a unit that did the job without issues, i would never have gotten into this project



do you have a shot of the cargraphics unit? did you have to remove the vanity cover to use it? is there pre-load adjustability?



as for this brace functioning better than any of the others, i have taken steps to make the brackets and the center link stiffer than the kla - whether or not this results in any real benefit in handling over the others would require much more intensive testing than i am prepared to do - i think the towers themselves are going to be the real limiting factor

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[ds968]

so if you install it in front of the brackets will it put dimples in the hood, like the KLA one does ? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



I for one could not tell the slightest bit of difference cornering with, or without the brace. I may be not pushing the car hard enough, or my senses have dulled with age <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> or both.



but I have no doubt that it does make a difference, and it looks good, so I'll upgrade also

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[SANDOVAL]

ahem... where is your sponsor banner FLASH? lol



Nicely done it's about time someone came up with a good design!

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[RS Barn]

There was a need for a better fitting brace with additional support on the mounting plates. I worked through a few designs with Brey-Krause and some other people and really didn't get anywhere. Bob has been scratching his head on this for a while and finally came up with a great design that also looks great.

I can't wait to offer them as a product through RS Barn.

Pete

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[flash]

lol - eric - yeah - better do that before i get banned



we've talked about it plenty - actually tried calling you yesterday about it - seems like the right thing to do, even though rs barn will be the retail source and i'm just the designer and manufacturer

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