Perrin lockdown vs Cusco rack stay??
 

I've searched for the last two days and although, found some review, I need more input.

Which one would be better for DD? I don't plan to track but will enjoy spirited driving from time to time. Car is currently on ISC coilovers with no other suspension mod (camber is set to -2.2 f / -2.7r). Goal is to achieve more/better steering feel without an increase of NVH, if possible. I'm hoping for a straight forward installation, not a big fan of changing out bushings.

Both items are priced within reason... I was able to gather more on the Lockdown but not much on the Cusco stay brace.

Here's what I know:

Perrin Lockdown (pic below, red) - easy to install and really locks down steering feel but at an increase of NVH. According to some, the trade off is worth it, others, says the NVH increase is too much.

Cusco rack stay (pic below, blue) - easy to install and looks to be a good alternative to the Perrin lockdown, however, since it's bolted and connected from bolt to chassis, will the NVH increase? will this help with my goal?

Anyone with direct experience, please put in your 2 cents.

i have the Cusco one , don't notice any NVH ...

I have the perrin one, didn't notice any NVH either.

Ok I'm confused now. Both of these were designed to transfer more vibrations (feedback). To the wheel. So are you saying there was no difference at all? NVH kinda goes hand in hand with feedback.

what does the backside of the cusco look like? Unless it has a cup/edge to hold the steering rack, I don't see how it could do too much.

The issue is with play between the steering rack and bushing. The Perrin one makes it so the rack can't really move around. Can't tell with the cusco one though. If the cusco one only attaches to the bolt, I think the Perrin one would be more effective.

Does the Perrin lockdown really make much of an appreciable difference in street driving?

EDIT: Just did a search and there are a few threads about this already. Seems like the more you mod your chassis/suspension the more of a difference that steering rack lockdowns will make. If stock, not so much.

you have a valid point there.... hmmm interesting.

I've had the Perrin for quite a while, along with coil overs and a beefy strut brace. No NVH but you can definitely feel more in the steering wheel, including little bumps and rocks on the road. I like it. I got it to improve feel on the track. I probably wouldn't bother for street use. The strut brace made a bigger 'feel' difference on the street.

by strut brace, I assume you mean strut tower bar as they are sometimes called... if you don't mind, which strut brace are you running?

I had the Hotchkis (sp?) and now have the AEM. Both work very well. Changed only because of later clearance issues.

You might want to consider the longer STi bolts(see Japanparts) in conjunction with either set-up. These are considerably longer than OEM and may help with the feel you're looking for in your steering. @SPCorBUST has them installed with the Perrin lock-downs if I am correct? Check out his build thread.

$57 for two bolts, washers, and nuts :O

does having a longer bolt actually affect the feel of the steering? with the rack lockdown (Perrin at least) there shouldn't be any movement with everything tight so a longer bolt shouldn't be doing anything (unless you want that STI branding of course). maybe if the STI bolts were thicker as well so that it reduces slop in the stock setup, but still with the lockdown it shouldn't matter.

Yeah the conversion of USD to JPY is shit right now. Aint nobody been importing stuff lately.

See this thread around post 1469 for a comparison of the OEM and STI bolts. Regardless, longer bolts means more thread engagement and more stability. The STI also appear thicker. These function the same way as the lockdowns, but just do it in a different way. Both work and accomplish the same job.

These are on my to-do list of mods.

So, what you described is exactly NVH...