Perrin vs. GrimmSpeed strut tower braces - differences?

[Sleepless]

+1 for Hotchkiss

And, these braces are not a waste of money, especially if you also have stiffer springs. At the very least they eliminate the chassis shudder over bumps...

[tahdizzle]

If you say so.

[Gunman]

You just missed the Hotchkis sale.

[abraxis]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

If you say so.

I certainly say so. So does a friend of mine that got his Hotchkis and noticed the difference immediately.

Reasons to NOT get one.

1-You are content with the feel of you chassis flexing and prefer that to spending more money.

2-The idea of your chassis getting even softer as it degrades over time is fine likely because you lease your cars and could care less.

3-The added benefit will not give you a worthwhile improvement in laptimes based on your planned modifications or driving style/comfort zone.

Anyone who replaces the stock braces with the Hotchkis and drives around all day on it who can say with a straight face they noticed no difference is either a liar or is simply untrustworthy to comment on anything related to the 86's chassis. The others simply haven't tried it and are talking from lack of direct experience with this product on this platform.

[tahdizzle]

[2much]

I have a grimmspeed bar. I think it cost something like $160, so really theres not much to lose. I definitely felt an improvement in the ride quality and feel when first installed. Now I don't notice it much, it has just become part of the ride. Hard to go wrong for that low cost and such an easy install.

sway bars im sure are more effective like stated above, but they are more expensive and much more time consuming to install. I will have both soon :]

[babydriver]

Thanks for the comments, guys. After some consideration I've decided to go with the GrimmSpeed bar for now to see if it makes a difference in handling, just because it's the least expensive. Lower noise and better resistance to potholes will certainly be a plus. Perhaps if there is a noticeable difference, I will purchase the Hotchkis bar later. I really like the look and concept of the Hotchkis, but again, until I know if it will make a reasonable difference, there isn't much point in spending more money. Got a very good price from Autohance (137.50 with free shipping). Link to web page for anyone interested in acquiring one:

http://autohance.com/i-1797334.aspx?...FYdzMgodNQMAPg

[babydriver]

Got the GrimmSpeed bar yesterday evening and of course I had to put it on right away! Installation was perhaps the easiest thing I have ever done on a car. I do have one suggestion; put the little cover and twist ties on the A/C line before installing the bar. That way, you don't have to reach around the bar to do it.

The moment I got the bar tightened up and the car ready to roll, it began to rain and has been raining since. :-( I hope to get out either tonight or tomorrow evening to have a test drive and will provide my impressions after that.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Lulz at the kids misinterpreting NVH as chassis flex.

[babydriver]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

Lulz at the kids misinterpreting NVH as chassis flex.

NVH? Don't know that one or for that matter, "Lulz". But then, I'm nearly 60.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Noise, Vibration, Harshness


Essentially nearly all strut/shock tower bars are doing is raising the natural resonant frequency of the chassis so NVH is decreased.

[babydriver]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

Noise, Vibration, Harshness


Essentially nearly all strut/shock tower bars are doing is raising the natural resonant frequency of the chassis so NVH is decreased.

THAT makes perfect sense! I do a lot of hi-fi related stuff and two things I know well -- stiffening a speaker cabinet by bracing internally raises the fundamental resonant frequency of the cabinet to a higher pitch, where it is MUCH easier to kill with damping material.

Second, a more rigid tonearm (for a record turntable) accomplishes the same thing, but also provides a much better platform for the phono stylus, suspension and cartridge body to work against. I suspect that something similar is happening with the braced strut towers and the struts/springs using the GrimmSpeed or similar device. They work more efficiently because of the improved rigidity of the strut towers. The stiffness of the strut tower (braced by the two stock ones plus the GrimmSpeed) has to be enhanced to some degree because the three braces now form a triangle. That is the strongest, most rigid geometric shape.

The proof is in the pudding; I will get back with a report after I have a chance to actually drive with the darn thing in place. The rain has stopped so maybe later today.


Added: Another reason for trying to raise resonant frequencies is that higher frequencies decay more rapidly than low, which tend to carry further and through all kinds of materials. Think of the situation where your neighbor in an apartment building is playing music loudly, but all you hear is the bass coming through the wall. Everything else is muffled.

[Sleepless]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

Noise, Vibration, Harshness


Essentially nearly all strut/shock tower bars are doing is raising the natural resonant frequency of the chassis so NVH is decreased.

I don't understand the reason for the "lulz". NVH is a function of resonance, resonance is a function of chassis stiffness, strut brace increases chassis stiffness. They are all interrelated.

Where is the humor in this?

[babydriver]

Once again, the rain has thwarted me. This is Texas, dammit! What's with all the water??