924Board.org

Rattlinbone · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 265 Location: Seattle, WA

There's something I saw on the Wheeler Dealers show about the 944 that I'd like to get. It's a bar that goes across the top of the engine from the top of one wheel well to the other. It's supposed to add some stiffness to the body. It also looks cool. What's that thing called and where can I find one?
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Fred- 1979 924

Khal · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:19 am Post subject:

What's it called? I think it might be one of those things that depends on where you come from, where you live and what angle you're looking at it from... but I've always heard them referred to as "Strut Braces".
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'80 924 Turbo

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

Yes, strut brace. And not worth the time, money or effort if you haven't first addressed the 30+ year old rubber suspension bushings, preferably replacing with something a bit stiffer than OEM rubber.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

Rattlinbone · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 265 Location: Seattle, WA

http://www.bkauto.com/porsche/r1520.php

I think this is what I'm looking for.

And yes, I'm really only interested in them because they look cool. I won't get this set-up until I have tackled all the other issues I have to deal with in my suspension, new shocks, springs, struts and bushings first, silly bolt-on brace thing later!
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Fred- 1979 924

Scorpio · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 11:58 am Post subject:

They may look cool but make getting to other parts of the engine more annoying
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1979 NA
MS1..EFI..
GARRETT T25 TURBO
BILSTEIN SHOCKS
GT BASED CUSTOM BODYKIT

Brisbane , Australia
Think mean think fast
all youll see is
my Porsches Arse!!!

924RACR · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 11:02 pm Post subject:

What Scorp said - I have a tough time even putting oil in without spilling.

They're a PITA.

Of course, ours is functional... but that's cause there's no other rubber in the front suspension.

BTW, note that the strut tower braces don't usually clear the 924 intake and hood without modification... at least, the KLA one I have doesn't. I have spots rubbed out on the intake, the hood, and the bar itself.
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Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

gla924sem · Joined: 08 Nov 2002 Posts: 405 Location: Taylor, Michigan

Not sure which brand I have but no problems with adding oil.....clears the manifold fine and no hood issues.

Only issue is I need to remove the bar to power bleed the brakes. Cap to MC won't fit past it.

Mmagus · Joined: 27 Nov 2010 Posts: 12 Location: Southern California

If you are after looks I agree they do look nice. If you want performance then, after replacing/removing all the rubber and replacing them with solid mounts, consider a LOWER strut brace, it gives you better bang for your buck, and dosn't interfere with adding oil.

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'87 924S "Tuffy"
Dead Pets Racing
PCA Member

Fifty50Plus · Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:40 am Post subject:

Subframe is a lower strut brace.
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1979 924 NA race car H-Prod SCCA
1982 924 NA race car - Sold
1981 924 Turbo sold
1982 924 Turbo sold
1972 911 E race car - traded for Cayenne Diesel
1975 914 1.8 Building for H-Prod SCCA