Feedback requested on TRD Brace Kit and TRD Strut Tower Bar

[donoman]

Hello folks,

Does anyone have this stuff and does anyone have an opinion on it? I tried searching and there was very sparse information. I'm particularly interested in the TRD stuff because I like their parts longevity as opposed to some of the other aftermarket suppliers.

The extra cost is not an issue for me but wondering if anyone has felt any improvements over stock by installing the kit, particularly anyone who has driven their car at an Auto-X or track day? I installed the door brace kit last night and I swear the car does feel like it transitions quicker. I'll be the first to acknowledge the placebo effect is strong in this one, however...

Thanks in advance!

[Teclis]

I have the TRD strut tower bar, and it is awesome! The build quality is a 11 out of 10, it's pure epicness!

And I have driven my car at Nürburgring, and from Norway to Italy (google it, it's a loooong way) and on Rudskogen raceway! I have had it on since the beginning, but it feels great, and it does not "flex" as much as my friends stock car.

TLDR: Go get it, you wont regret!

[OnkelC]

+1

[Decay107]

I have the brace set, not sure how effective it is because I installed bushings at the same time. Then again, I didn't buy them to improve performance, I bought them because I wanted to prevent the chassis from slowly weakening over time (and because I got one hell of a deal).

From a pure engineering standpoint, I believe there are better options. Especially for the rear braces, which appear to be more designed for shipping efficiency than rigidity.

[donoman]

Well I went ahead and ordered both the underbody brace kit and the strut bar. If i get time to install it I will report back to this thread.

[fitcious]

do you have the link to where you ordered them?

[donoman]

I got them from some Japanese seller on E-bay. I almost ordered from Evasive but they were more expensive, charge shipping and Cali tax, etc etc.

[joe strummer]

Originally Posted by Decay107

I bought them because I wanted to prevent the chassis from slowly weakening over time.

Is that really a concern with our, or any, cars? I never heard of that before.

[Decay107]

Originally Posted by joe strummer

Is that really a concern with our, or any, cars? I never heard of that before.

Depends on usage. For a daily driven car that just does canyon runs, no. For a track car that consistently gets subjected to loads the engineers never really planned for, probably?

[m.box.design]

I have the TRD strut tower brace. It does add some rigidity to the front of the car. Noticeable less roll on turn in and remains more planted through corners. Definitely increases the overall feel of the car. But I'm sure most strut tower brace options provide similar benefits. TRD is kind of spendy..

[donoman]

Originally Posted by indesign

I have the TRD strut tower brace. It does add some rigidity to the front of the car. Noticeable less roll on turn in and remains more planted through corners. Definitely increases the overall feel of the car. But I'm sure most strut tower brace options provide similar benefits. TRD is kind of spendy..

Yes the TRD stuff is spendy ... but it seems to be designed with longevity in mind unlike the other cheaper looking anodized stuff.

I'm not sure how much these braces will really help with keeping the car from "saggin." As far as I'm concerned if you've entered the non-elastic deformation zone or are creeping, the car is unsafe. They should engineer with that in mind.

[corry29]

My FRS is equipped with the TRD front strut bar and the TRD brace kit.

The TRD front strut tower bar that's made with carbon fiber right? Supposedly from the "same factory as the LFA". Yeah that bar is cool. In terms of performance, it's honestly a slight improvement. You need to track your car to get the full feel of it.

The TRD brace kit as in the red bars that's mounted on the bottom of the car right? Yeah, my FRS has that too! For those, I can actually feel the improvement on turns for regular driving, but that's probably the placebo effect hitting me. But when you track the car, you will definitely feel it, and I'm pretty sure that's not the placebo effect.

*edit* One more thing, if you order the TRD brace kit, the rear brace bar that goes behind the bumper is not compatible with the FRS. In the US, the bumper brace aka "crash bar" is actually thicker than GT86/86's in other parts of the world.

The TRD brace kit also looks really cool too from the rear if you're exhaust is not too large. My FRS has the triangle TRD exhaust system so it's a little smaller than stock and the two tips of the red braces stick out from the rear and it looks really really cool!

tl;dr for track/auto-X, you will feel a slight improvement with the TRD front strut bar and braces. Then again, it's probably going to be the same with all other brands.

[donoman]

I just got my TRD parts from Japan. The TRD strut brace went on today in about 15 joyful minutes. That is just one smooth piece of kit. Looks nicer than the OEM BMW braces I've put on many ///M Cars. Of course it cost a crapload, too!

[1GiantTurtle]

Originally Posted by donoman

I just got my TRD parts from Japan. The TRD strut brace went on today in about 15 joyful minutes. That is just one smooth piece of kit. Looks nicer than the OEM BMW braces I've put on many ///M Cars. Of course it cost a crapload, too!

i love how the TRD bar covers the subaru name on the engine

and it only says "Racing Development" on it too