DIY - Master Cylinder Brace - Grimmspeed
 

Hey all. Houston86.com back with another DIY. Here is how to install most Brake Master Cylinder Braces. Most of the designs I've seen use these mounting points.

Normally, the firewall supporting the brake booster and master cylinder flexes while braking. You have to waste a certain amount of energy in that flex before energy is used for braking. This brace removes the flex improving response.

Feedback
+ Definitely does its job - firms up the pedal, brakes respond sooner. From feel, I think the pedal travels 40% less than before. Good bit of kit
+ Mechanically simple, does not interfere with strut tower braces.
+ looks the part. I like the powder coated mild steel
+ Always good feeling to know its made in the USA

Thanks @GrimmSpeed for making this and providing excellent support. Matt was very professional when I called him questions about the instructions. Definitely categorize as a high quality human.

Product Shots

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20121101-GrimmspeedMCB-01 by VictorN07, on Flickr

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20121101-GrimmspeedMCB-02 by VictorN07, on Flickr

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20121101-GrimmspeedMCB-03 by VictorN07, on Flickr

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20121101-GrimmspeedMCB-04 by VictorN07, on Flickr




DIY

It is an easy install, just wanted to make sure all doubt is removed with some good pictures. It took longer to setup and take pictures than to do the actual mechanical work. This guide is intended to supplement the official instructions. As always we are not responsible for damage to you or your vehicle. Be safe.

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20121101-GrimmspeedM***IY-01 by VictorN07, on Flickr

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20121101-GrimmspeedM***IY-02 by VictorN07, on Flickr


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20121101-GrimmspeedM***IY-03 by VictorN07, on Flickr

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20121101-GrimmspeedM***IY-04 by VictorN07, on Flickr

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20121101-GrimmspeedM***IY-05 by VictorN07, on Flickr

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20121101-GrimmspeedM***IY-06 by VictorN07, on Flickr

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20121101-GrimmspeedM***IY-07 by VictorN07, on Flickr

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20121101-GrimmspeedM***IY-08 by VictorN07, on Flickr

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20121101-GrimmspeedM***IY-09 by VictorN07, on Flickr

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20121101-GrimmspeedM***IY-10 by VictorN07, on Flickr

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20121101-GrimmspeedM***IY-11 by VictorN07, on Flickr

That was fast. Looking good!

I like how you guys come out with a DIY of all the stuff I've got planned to do.

Nice write-up. I just got mine today and will be installing this weekend.

Very, very nice write-up! Thanks for your support; hope the brace treats you well!

Mind if we link to it as a resource on our website?

Matt Beenen
Engineering

Absolutely you may. Appreciate you asking first

yeah great write up

on my frs there is a bracket holding electrical wires where you say there is only a sticker. what do I do with that bracket?

Hey! If your car is an automatic, you'll have that harness. I believe that most people have been ditching the bracket and securing the harness with a ziptie if needed. I'm sure somebody will chime in with possible solutions. In the mean time, I'll try to track down photos of what others have done. Cheers!

Matt Beenen
Engineering

Just installed it today on the AT car. Was also puzzled initially when found some "odd" harness which is not mentioned in the manual but installed the brace anyway - the "additional" harness just rests quite comfortably on top of the MC brace body. Doesn't looks as it even requires any additional bracket. Whould be nice mentioning this point in the manual for AT users though so that they are not puzzled as me today :)

Here is how the place for installation looks on AT cars, the bracket and after installation.

just installed mine, Thanks for the write up!

do you have them in RH drive?,,, otherwise I'll be making it from scratch which will be costly in regards to time and resources! and wont look as sweet as yours

The unofficial word is that we're working on it. Unfortunately, I can't give details just yet. It's a longer process than normal, being that we don't have easy access to a RHD vehicle.

Matt Beenen
Engineering

looks like i need to get one soon.

Is it necessary to jack the car up to remove the strut tower bracing? I would assume that that at rest there is some tension placed on the brace, making jacking up a safer situation (for both car and person working on it). I am just curious though. Also, if there is not a DIY for intalling on an auto, i'll do a write up once I get my car back.

Can the brace be installed without removing the tower to firewall brace? I assume it was only removed for better pictures?

You can install it without removing the brace.
That said, removing it, (just a couple of bolts), gives you a little bit more room to install the brace...
So no, no need to remove it if you don't want to.

It was super easy for me to install with out removing the brace as well. All I needed was an extension for my rachet. Takes maybe 5min to install.

Sweet. Received mine a few days ago. Anxious to get it installed.

You will be just fine removing the strut tower bracing without jacking up the car. Nothing to worry about! Just be careful not to torque them down too tight when re-installing. The factory torque spec is only 12ft-lb!

Matt Beenen
Engineering

:thumbsup:

Great write-up as always F1point4! Thank You! :thumbsup:

Does the MSB make a difference in daily driving? Or is it only noticeable in high performance situations?

Makes a noticeable difference in daily driving as well. The brake pedal just feels firmer period. I love it.

Does the strut tower and/or firewall not flex enough under hard driving or over bumps/a pothole/or driveway curb/speed bump/etc to cause damage at some point by having an object pushing on the firewall from teh strut tower?

I'm throwing it out there because I don't know if strut tower doesn't move at all, ever, or if it does.

If the strut tower was moving enough to cause damage to the firewall from using a master cylinder brace then there would be damage to the braces that run to the center of the firewall. Just don't put a ton of pressure on the master cylinder and you will be fine. It took very little pressure to make a difference.

Does anyone know what the bracket for the AT wire harness is called? I lost it and need to get another.


-EDIT- Got it I think! Part SU003-02205 Bracket for ATM