TRD brace set, or Cusco?

[TuxedoCartman]

I rarely find myself this stumped on parts selection for my ride, but here I am: I can't decide between the TRD Member Brace Set (the red set, seen here), or the same parts from Cusco's Powerbrace line (seen here).

On the one hand, Cusco makes some damn fine parts; I used some of their suspension components on my 03 WRX I owned, and was happy with most of them. However, I know some of their stuff can be poorly thought-out (such as the underbody braces they made for the WRX that didn't fit if you had a cat-back exhaust), and sometimes seem a bit... lightweight... for structural support duty. Still, they race with the parts they design, and seem to do pretty well at it, and their parts are cheaper and seemingly easier to get at the moment.

On the other hand, TRD is in-house Toyota, so they've got a head-start on access to the car, and insight from the engineers no other company has. Their brace set seems to be beefier, and of heavier grade steel (which I'm conflicted on, as weight is bad for sports driving, but good for functioning as a chassis brace). Also impressed by their proactive release of a statement explaining why they didn't release some suspension components offered by "other" car tuners; apparently they didn't produce a rear strut-bar because they felt it would upset the chassis balance. Between that and the superior design of their front-strut tower bar, I tend to trust their designs a lot more. (Actually have the TRD front strut-bar on order already). However, TRD has a bit of a reputation for offering very mild performace parts, and banking on their Toyota name association for sales.

So I dunno... For those of you out there with experience with both companies, who would you go with for chassis bracing parts?

(P.S. Not looking for opinions on whether chassis braces are altogether dumb, or what other parts you think I should be buying, etc... If that's all you've got to contribute to this thread, kindly move along.)

[wcbjr]

Skip em both and wait for Whiteline. They build the beefiest suspension components and braces for cheap.

[jkonquer]

Are you looking for show or go? Order goes from trd to cusco to whiteline.

[TuxedoCartman]

Originally Posted by jkonquer

Are you looking for show or go? Order goes from trd to cusco to whiteline.

Definitely "go". These particular parts don't lend themselves well to showing off very well.

Really? Am i reading you right, that you feel the Cusco braces are more purpose built? Any particular reasons you've got to support that theory?

[cyde01]

Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman

However, TRD has a bit of a reputation for offering very mild performace parts, and banking on their Toyota name association for sales.

that's TRD USA only no? i was under the impression that TRD Japan has a reputation of offering the absolute best stuff, at baller prices.

[7thgear]

it's all metal

go with whoever uses better steel and better powder coating

[TuxedoCartman]

Originally Posted by cyde01

that's TRD USA only no? i was under the impression that TRD Japan has a reputation of offering the absolute best stuff, at baller prices.

Ya know, I'll be honest with you: I used to know quite a bit about quality of all the products available for Subarus and Mazdas, as I've owned a couple of each. But this is my first, err... "Toyota"... I've owned (don't look at me that way, Subaru drivers! It was co-developed!), so I've really no clue about the quality of TRD from either country, nor any of the other manufacturers that specialize in Toyota parts. But I'd heard the same thing about TRD America being mediocre, and TRD Japan being better, but who knows. That's why I thought I'd see if someone had first-hand experience on here.

Originally Posted by 7thgear

it's all metal

go with whoever uses better steel and better powder coating

Ya know, neither one of them specifies just what grade of metal they use on their product pages, neither in English nor Japanese (yes, I can read quite a bit). If it had been that simple, I coulda figured it out on my own.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman

Ya know, neither one of them specifies just what grade of metal they use on their product pages, neither in English nor Japanese (yes, I can read quite a bit). If it had been that simple, I coulda figured it out on my own.

have you tried asking them?

[cyde01]

don't have any first hand experience, but i do know that TRD USA just rebranded parts from other cheap aftermarket brands, which kind of ruined the TRD brand name in america. but TRD parts in japan are legendary. TRD LSDs, carbon fiber body parts, headers, for cars like the AE86 were all highly sought after even after they were discontinued, they had practically holy grail status. TRD engines like the 4A-GE and 3S-GE were insane, itbs, cams with insane duration, 9000 rpm redlines, extremely high comp ratios, dry sump oil systems. the TRD 4A-GE made 200 hp from a 1.6 liter motor, the 2.0 liter 3S-GE made 280 hp, both n/a.

based on the reviews i've seen of the full TRD GT86, i can assure you that the parts are made by the same people, they're definitely legit.

[xcelir8brz]

subscribed

[TuxedoCartman]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

have you tried asking them?

Nope; taking this in order of easiest to hardest. First asking around to see if anyone has experience with these companies, THEN moving on to calling two Japanese car parts manufacturers and asking them about their production methods and metallurgical practices.

So... do you have any experience with chassis braces by either of these companies, or are you just criticizing me for not pulling my answers up by their own bootstraps?

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman

So... do you have any experience with chassis braces by either of these companies, or are you just criticizing me for not pulling my answers up by their own bootstraps?

i'm merely making fun of the fact that you're digging too deep into this.

these are metal rectangles with holes in them

[dabocx]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

i'm merely making fun of the fact that you're digging too deep into this.

these are EXPENSIVE metal rectangles with holes in them

Added a important part. Regardless of the brand its going to be a decent chunk of change and its not a bad idea to do some research and try and get the most for your money

[Surok]

Go the TRD, the more TRD stuff we buy the more they will support the car..