2nd Gen JCW Most liked posts in thread: Welp.... I finished making my custom upper strut brace...

I have seen the ones that go underneath and I'm considering the "X" brace myself. Well, not really "considering" it, I'm going to get one and a month or so. Too hot right now to mess with it.

Jim

 

I'll have you know I did completely stop modding my MINI...........for three whole weeks.

Jim

 

The under car braces are by far the best investment for performance as they actually do add to the stability of the chassis. The rear seat back brace unfortunately is not in a position to actually resist any real suspension stress. It will assist in the elimination of body shake and rattle, kinda like the cabrio braces up front, but has little to no effect on suspension stress's. I am offering this information because I have a friend that is an automotive engineer who works for Ford and I ask him to look at both the cabrio braces and the rear seat brace sometime ago to see if either had any real world benefit. He did some research and it was his opinion that I have repeated here. He did state that a weak point in the car was in fact the under body areas around the engine as it would allow a lot of body movement and those under body braces would in fact help eliminate those stress's.

 

It is my own humble opinion for what that is worth, that no ones arse is sensitive enough to feel the differences made by such add on braces. I'm sure they do help to some unknown extent, but until someone straps a MINI on a shaker stand & measures the before & after it will remain just smoke & mirrors. If it makes someone feel better bolting those things on they should go for it. We do know for a fact that it hurts nothing other than ones wallet & fattens the wallets of those who peddle those parts.

I'm taking a nap now. :sleep:

 

:cornut:It looks functional to me but it looks essentially the same as the after market one that I put in my car. Where are the other 3 sides of the trapezoid?Or are the other 3 sides the car structure itself? Just curious. I'm a little slow and have probably missed some thing.

Jason

 

Nice work Chuck.

 

:cornut: Thanks, I got it.

Jason

 

Kinda like the bar in a GP but in the back? Looking for a rigid body?

When are you going to track your MINI. Nice work.

Don

 

Thing of beauty

Nicely done Chuck

 

Very nice indeed.

Jim

 

cool. It always amazes me when people can make their own parts.

 

Sweet job MM!

 

I noticed you still use your boot cover/shelf, so as my wife asked me once, "Why do you what a mod that nobody can see"?

Jim

 

Is this actually attached to the rear strut towers?

 

The bar in the GP is not structural. It is there due to UK laws and 2 seat cars. It's sole purpose is to block items from shifting forward and getting into the passenger area. MINI calls the part a "Cargo Rod" in the parts listings. It is only held in place with 6 Fillister head self-tapping screws, ST4,2X13MM, 3 per side.