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View Full Version : Fender Braces (Side Cowling Stays)

mdungelman
03-05-2009, 01:25 PM
Well I just installed a set last weekend. I didn't take any pics of the install, but it was totally worth it for the $65 shipped. Picked them up from ebay seller bigjap (my4isflat on nabisco and rs25). Great product and definitely an improved feel in cornering and front end stiffness.

Anyone else have these?
morbidgorilla
03-05-2009, 01:27 PM
Been thinking about it one cash starts to flow
glad to hear they make a difference
Pulski
03-05-2009, 01:33 PM
How hard was the install? I've thought about doing these as well.
Nate8409
03-05-2009, 05:26 PM
Interesting. How much a difference would you say it had on the car for you?
mdungelman
03-05-2009, 10:38 PM
On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being "holy **** these things are incredible", I'd give them about a 7.5. But keep in mind this is on balloon snow tires. It's gonna be pretty sweet once I get back on summer tires. Along with new springs and struts I think I'll be all set.

As far as difficulty installing, the first side took me about and hour and fifteen to do. I only had a writeup that subygal posted up on her site. The other side took about 40 minutes. There isn't much room to play in there. I picked up some of the low clearance kobalt sockets. Ratcheting wrenches would help as well, but I didn't have them.

Steps:

Loosen the fender bolts and pull the fender out a bit
Unclip and pull down the fender liner
Try not to get frustrated with trying to remove bolts from tight spaces
Install new brace
Put stuff back together
Repeat

Sorry no pics.
The Stig
03-09-2009, 09:36 AM
I don't really see how these will affect handling.


Pictures of product?
method
03-09-2009, 10:43 AM
They stiffen up the chassis, tie the lower a-pillar to the front upper chassis. There are stock ones there but they are thing gauge stamped steel.

From what I have read though they aren't necessary on MY07+ as Subaru stiffened them up all ready.
Nate8409
03-09-2009, 11:39 AM
Not so sure about it anymore when it comes to Auto X. Everything I could find on NASIOC points to these being a prepared part for some reason.

Mike, do you know what these do for your classing?
The Stig
03-10-2009, 03:44 PM
They stiffen up the chassis, tie the lower a-pillar to the front upper chassis. There are stock ones there but they are thing gauge stamped steel.

From what I have read though they aren't necessary on MY07+ as Subaru stiffened them up all ready.


Cost ---> benefit just isn't there
Nate8409
03-11-2009, 04:48 PM
The only place it seems that these are legal is in "Prepared."
Murphy2012
03-11-2009, 08:17 PM
Cost ---> benefit just isn't there


I disagree, but its only based on what I have read and heard. I have no first hand experience with them but intend on getting a pair. MANY MANY people strongly urge buying these for those guys that have strong feelings towards nice handling and tight cars.
Nate8409
03-17-2009, 11:40 AM
Any cheap reinforcement to the chassis itself is a plus no matter how you look at it although when you reinforce this position where does it send the flexing to?

That would be something I would like to know but who the hell knows.