Unique FTO: Strut Brace

Theremin · Post by **Theremin** » Wed May 12, 2004 4:18 pm

Did a bit of a search on the net and here is what I came up with. They refer to strut braces as anti-roll bars. It is interesting the point they make that for vehicles with a tendency to understeer (as most FTOs do), it is better to have a strut brace at the rear.

Tuning the Suspension of a Completed Vehicle
When the suspension is designed, certain handling characteristics are targeted. However, mechanical compromises, errors, or limitations of the art may result in a vehicle that does not handle precisely as intended. Even after the vehicle is finished, the suspension can be tuned for different cornering characteristics. The variables available for tuning the suspension include changes in tire and rim size, tire inflation pressure, and the stiffness and location of the anti-roll bar.

The anti-roll bar is essentially a transverse-mounted torsion bar designed to reduce body-roll during turns. It exerts no influence on the suspension when wheels bounce in unison. If vertical movement on one side exceeds the vertical movement on the other, the anti-roll bar exerts an opposing force. Along with its primary function of reducing body-roll, the anti-roll bar will also reduce the combined cornering force and the adhesion limits of the side-by-side tires that are being acted upon. Consequently, the location and stiffness of the bar can be modified to influence the oversteering or understeering characteristics of the vehicle.

An oversteering tendency will be reduced by locating the anti-roll bar at the front where it will reduce the cornering force and adhesion of the front tires. If the vehicle understeers, the anti-roll bar should be located at the rear. If an anti-roll bar is already required at both ends of the vehicle to achieve adequate roll stiffness, use an anti-roll bar of greater stiffness/diameter at the end of the vehicle where reduced cornering force is desired, and use a less-stiff/smaller-diameter bar at the other end.

Post by **smorison** » Wed May 12, 2004 4:47 pm

are they talking about additional roll-bar support or factory ones??? as all cars have anti-roll bars ...

Theremin · Post by **Theremin** » Wed May 12, 2004 5:42 pm

Steve - I'm not sure. If a strut brace is different from an anti-roll bar, then I figure the same analysis would apply, since the purpose of a strut brace is also to reduce body roll.

twistea · Post by **twistea** » Wed May 12, 2004 5:53 pm

Theremin i think you may be a little confused. to clarify, the anti-roll bars you are referring to are also called sway bars. sway bars are transverse mounted between your struts and under the chassis. sway bars are effective in reducing body roll. on the other hand strut bars are transverse mounted between your struts but are located inside the car boot/bonnet. strut bars are effective in reducing chassis flex by increasing chassis stiffness. hope this helps...

ruchi · Post by **ruchi** » Wed May 12, 2004 6:16 pm

I reckon they're talking about sway bars not strut braces.

A strut brace has more to do with rigidity whereas an anti-sway bar is specifically for combating roll.

As most cars have sway bars it's not so much a matter of adding one rather adjusting the size or rate of the swaybar.

ruchi · Post by **ruchi** » Wed May 12, 2004 6:19 pm

LOL!

I started my response before you had posted your comments twistea, but then got interrupted, so ended up hitting submit after you had posted yours. Great minds think alike!

Theremin · Post by **Theremin** » Wed May 12, 2004 6:29 pm

Yep, I think I might have got my terms mixed up there. Did some more googling and found this which explains a bit more. http://www.ukcars.com/tuning/strutbrace.php

I still reckon that strut braces result in a slightly bumpier ride (as a result of a more rigid chassis). But don't worry, I won't be taking mine off in a hurry!

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Wed May 12, 2004 6:37 pm

Theremin wrote:Yep, I think I might have got my terms mixed up there. Did some more googling and found this which explains a bit more. http://www.ukcars.com/tuning/strutbrace.php

I still reckon that strut braces result in a slightly bumpier ride (as a result of a more rigid chassis). But don't worry, I won't be taking mine off in a hurry!

well, not really... that's the job for the shock absorbers/dampers/springs... and if i were you i'd keep the strut braces - they make a lot of difference in terms of stability when holding on the line through long sweepers.

fto12345 · Post by **fto12345** » Wed May 12, 2004 9:20 pm

I totally agree.

The bumpier ride has nothing to do with the strut braces.
It may help make it bumpier, but then it's up to the shocks to resolve that.
So more harder the shocks the bumpier it'll get.

So I wouldn't take off your strut braces either.

If you can't make up your mind as to which one does what, just put them both in like I have with my front.
All I need now is the rear strut brace and sway bar!

thecook · Post by **thecook** » Fri May 21, 2004 3:43 am

any idea when these will be shipped out?

Post by **smorison** » Fri May 21, 2004 3:15 pm

thecook wrote:any idea when these will be shipped out?

soon... just waiting on a couple of slow payers

Breza · Post by **Breza** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 9:33 am

Hey Steve,

Any more news on these?

Is it possible to get it shipped with the CAI 2 kit?

Cheers

Chris
blk_fto

fto12345 · Post by **fto12345** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 2:34 pm

Does any one know where you can get a rear strut brace for a good price in sydney?
Thanks

Post by **smorison** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 3:02 pm

fto12345 wrote:Does any one know where you can get a rear strut brace for a good price in sydney?
Thanks

i think we're going to have to copy my rear ralliart one to make some.... probably start this in a month or so

Breza · Post by **Breza** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 9:01 am

Hi All,

Just a quick post to commend Steve and UAS on the strut brace they put together.

Fitted mine yesterday, looks heaps better than the original photo's suggest.

Haven't tested things to the limit yet but first impression are that it definately tightens up the front end when travelling at speed around some familiar corners.

Will have to agree with Cam, does make the ride a bit harsher, suggest this is due to impefections in road services causing horizontal as well as vertical travel of the suspension components.

Can't wait for a rear brace to be developed if it is the same quality as the front brace.

Cheers

Chris

Daz_FTO · Post by **Daz_FTO** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 4:06 pm

Apparently i missed the first order - any ideas when the next batch is arriving?

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 11:35 pm

Steve, are there any more left? Or will I hate to deal with UAS directly?

Post by **smorison** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 3:21 pm

you can order through the FTO Shop if you like, spoke today about them and they're still on backorder... hopefully there will be a batch in the next couple of weeks....

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 5:18 pm

Any ideas on how long it will take for me to get one, once I pay? Also are the titanium ones also for sale? Cos I kinda want one of them.

Post by **smorison** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 8:52 am

Boris wrote:Any ideas on how long it will take for me to get one, once I pay? Also are the titanium ones also for sale? Cos I kinda want one of them.

you can buy them through the FTO Shop...

not sure on eta's they are selling faster than the manufacturer is making them so by ordering you get put in the waiting list and as soon as it arrives it gets sent to you