ractive strut tower brace

[DJGypsy]

i just ordered a Ractive strut tower brace (toucan industries)...anyone else got one? how is it? u like it? dislike it? how easy was the install? any tricks i should be aware of? replies are appreciated...thanx

[monty73741]

i hve the corksport ones.......fronts are easy the rear take some time but its a 30 minute operation on the front about an hour on the rear<P>jason

[DJGypsy]

ok, so installation is easy...but what kind of handling differences are obtained? is it barely noticeable? or is it a drastic change? (talking about the front tower bar, not the rear)

[ProtegeSTS]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DJGypsy:<BR><STRONG>ok, so installation is easy...but what kind of handling differences are obtained? is it barely noticeable? or is it a drastic change? (talking about the front tower bar, not the rear)</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><BR>your wallet will feel it more than you do.

[C-MX-DA3]

i have a klze and i was wondering if the ractive tower braces would fit on my mx3, i talk to corksport and said they still trying to manufature one for the mx3 with klze engine

[jfbourgault]

why wouldn't fit, it's basically the same engine as the 1.8. same size, except maybe for the intake manifold that's different, wich may cause a clearance problem ( not sure). But my guess ( and it's just a guess is that it would fit.<P>and I have the Ractive "too", and it is barely noticeable.

[monty73741]

have you seen a klze in a mx-3....<BR>you basicly need a shoe horn to get it in.plus the intake manifold is alittle higher<BR>that is why it wont fit.....i think if you would design one that would brace off the fire wall...and kind of a diamond design it might work<BR>jason

[ProtegeSTS]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by monty73741:<BR><STRONG>have you seen a klze in a mx-3....<BR>you basicly need a shoe horn to get it in.plus the intake manifold is alittle higher<BR>that is why it wont fit.....i think if you would design one that would brace off the fire wall...and kind of a diamond design it might work<BR>jason</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Umm, the K8 and KLZE use the same block, and same tranny. Its not any bigger than the stock engine.

[Sonicxtacy02]

INDEED!<P>i installed my ractive without a problem on the ze

[monty73741]

when i helped do a klze install<BR>the intake maifold was a little higher......jeff abrams has said that it differs from engine to engine.....<P><BR>jason

[DJGypsy]

NEWS UPDATE! i installed the brace a few days ago...u don't feel it much in straight line driving or gentle turns, but if you start to load up the front end going faster through a corner, i've noticed that the front end is considerably more stable and predictable, and the car has about 40% less body roll...considering i'm running on crap tires and the loose stock suspension that came with the car in 1994, i would consider this a great bang for the buck bargain...only cost me $35, and only took 20 minutes to install...i would recommend this to anyone who is on a limited budget like myself who is looking for a little kick with their ride...thanx guys for your opinions before!

[pelado]

The only time there's a problem with installing the front strut bar is when phenolic spacers have been used on the IM. This raises the IM, mine rubs against the underhood insulation, no room for a strut bar.

[ProtegeSTS]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DJGypsy:<BR><STRONG>NEWS UPDATE! i installed the brace a few days ago...u don't feel it much in straight line driving or gentle turns, but if you start to load up the front end going faster through a corner, i've noticed that the front end is considerably more stable and predictable, and the car has about 40% less body roll</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><BR>Ummm, youre going to need to stop BSing. A strut tower bar CANT stop body roll.

[Brainless]

I have both front end rear ractive strut bars. I feel a small difference when I hit bumps and when I turn at higher speed. I heard that strut bars make a real difference with aftermarket spring, is that true. If not, I don't recommend those strut bars cause the diff is really small on stock spring.

[DJGypsy]

hey ProtegeSTS: i don't mean to be rude or start an argument, but i am not BSing...i know the thing doesn't stop body roll completely, but you gotta admit, it could eliminate *some* of the body roll...the whole car is noticeably more stable now [img]shrug.gif"%20border="0[/img]