Saw someone mention the Cusco under body system. I did a test day at Road Atlanta with it a year and a half ago. I've always thought of most chassis braces as a joke and most people who said they noticed a difference just to be looking for a reason to feel good about spending the money. I've never found one that was worth it's weight in lap time or feel. Weight being the key word. The cusco brace weights virtually nothing and I got it to the point where I could install it and remove it VERY rapidly at the track on jackstands. I did a back to back before and after testing at road atlanta with it. The car lost it's Looseness (which you want) and the rear felt a lot more planted. So My initial thought was that the thing made the car worse... Until I sat down and looked at the data. Yes the lap times were better but due to traffic on the lap I wasn't sure if that was the cause. I layed the graphs over each other on the exit of Turn 7 and found something very surprising. The car put the power down much better with the brace and had a 2-3mph better exit speed lap after lap on the exit of the tight turn 7. I loosened the car back up via alignment and the brace is still on the car. It's such a difference on corner exit when I drive a mini without one compared to mine with one.
Someone has requested torque specs, but their account does not allow MA to send them an email, so I will just list them here. Rear mounting points (at rear of front sub-frame): 74ft-lbs Front mounting point (lower bolt of control arm bushing housing): 44ft-lbs + 90deg, or if you want to do it in one shot about 56ft-lbs The original instructions listed a 74 ft-lb spec for the front bolts and that is too much as this will likely twist off the head of the bolt. Then it will be time to drill and easy-out. I would expect the updated instructions list the proper torque specs.
I have one on my car and it makes a difference in the way the car feels. I have not tested on a race track to compare times however. To address the comparison with sway bars they are different things as stated above. Think of it this way the X brace will make the sway bars react quicker. The body actually flexes, and the brace stops some of the flex in the body.
+1 I'm looking to do the Miltek, so would that be an issue? It doesn't seem like it would be, but I haven't had an up-close and personal look at my car from underneath
I was looking at the TSW X Brace for my 07 R52 convertible , looking at WMW photos on how to install , I have 4 alum. rails that run away from this spot to the back in a fan shape? and one bolt was loose ! if I was going to install the M7 Strut Tower Brace on the front would I also need the M7 Strut Tower Reinforcement plates or our they the same.
The 4 bars you are talking about are at the rear of the car. The X brace goes middle to front of the car. For the M7 strut brace you will need to buy the complete bar with the plates. The bar can't be installed with out the plates.
So, I do not have unlimited funds, yet I just bought a 2006 Mini Cooper S. My first expenditure was an RX65, my next is a set of blinders. My near future expenses include 205/45/17's There is a company that was suggested to me called Way Works in Atlanta. I plan on visiting them and having the 15% reduced pulley installed. Now I see this X brace and I have heard people talking about reinforcing the strut towers. Without my having to look can one of you tell me the cost of the X-brace? If you want me to search for it, I fully understand.. I mean I just joined, so I have not had the time to do much searching.. I want to make one more post tonight, before I head to bed. Thank you for reading and understanding.. I am the new guy.. Kinda just jumped right in here.. This 13 day old thread needed a bump anyways..
As my car is going back stock to be sold, I am putting up my complete front and rear Cusco underbody brace system for sale. Mine has also been customised by a promodified chassis builder to fit over the charcoal canister on the 2005- 2006 models. It is also known as my PNI and it is everything Ian says it is. Much more forward bite off the turns, one of my very favorite mods!!! I have $800.00 invested in mine, will sell for half that , $400.00 plus shipping and PP fees or best offer. Thanks!
TSW brace is a significant improvement over the Madness brace. The convertible is more stable over rough pavement and RR tracks, and more stable in the curves and generally at higher speeds. (Not saying how high). There is definitely less cowl shake. There wasn't much before, because of the braces I had, but noticeably less now. TSW brace is very much worth the money. I have Koni FSD shocks, tower plates and brace, plus poly bushings.