OK, the purpose of fender braces is significantly more obvious with the fender off.

The gains are pretty accurately reported by subiegal, what she fails to report is the WHY, which is everything.

Here is my quickie MSpaint picture to try to explain this better:



basically, as the front suspension loads, it will put vertically upwards force on the frame. The part of the frame the strut top is bolted to, which I call the fender frame for simplicity (it is under the fender, har har), is not really that well secured to the door jam and the rest of the frame. In the MSpaint image, those welds are red, and are visible on an actual car quite easily. Observe:


(not my car or brace design)

So what does the fender brace do? it prevents that joint at the door jam from flexing, and as a result, reduces front-end floppiness and improves feedback to the driver. As subiegal points out, it gives the car more of an "on-rails" driving feedback. This is an especially handy mod for decreasing radius turns, by the way.

Also, because this is a reinforcement of a really high stress section of frame, overkill is the best way to go, which is why my design incorporates twin chromoly tubes.

 

If I have those holes, I can help you.

 

you're the man kev!

I'll keep you guys in mind, If anybody has any technical questions about these braces, what they do and how I build them, I'd be happy to answer.

 

looks like there are lots of interest already. let us know when this starts production

 

Will do, our first batch of fender braces should be ready to begin shipping out within a week of prototyping, at an introductory pricing. I believe I need vendor status as well, so I'll have to work that out.

 

Here are some pics of the concept prototype mounted on my car:



sorry for the somewhat crappy pics, they hardly do the brace justice

 

Looks good. Only suggestion I would make is add a little triangle piece of metal that attaches perpendicular to each of the flat pieces on the ends, other than that I'm down.

 

We're thinking on the same wavelength, I think that would be a good idea as well. I doubt it would actually help too much, since the welds I'm able to make are ugly but brutally strong, but it would be a cheap addition, just a little triangular piece of mild steel.

I dunno how important looks are for a piece like this (it is hidden under the fender), but I would like to make the parts look good, especially as we get into strut bars and lower suspension braces, where bling factor is more important. (besides, who doesn't like getting a shiny piece of metal artwork in the mail?)

 

yeah make a spiderweb gusset or something, that way you dont have to put the fender back on cuz it will look so cool. right?

 

I looked at mine and I don't think I have the wholes. Well... rather, I felt around and couldn't find anything.

 

the area under the fender is pretty hideous, I doubt any amount of fender brace bling would heal that

to kev: you can see in the various pics where the rear mount holes are. I was operating under the assumption that all OBD2 imprezas had them.

 

okay, I've got stupiddent helping me out with the protos, but for the rest of you guys:

I'll be doing an introductory sale, with prices close to 50$ without shipping for a pair, coming to a meet near you! Hopefully I'll be able to rep them at UCKK, bubble, and auto-x events around the bay, so you guys won't have to worry about shipping.

The intro group will be restricted to 10-15 units, after which prices will rise to compete with the other braces of this style on the market. Everyone who posted in this thread is a shoe-in to get one pair though, so worry not!

 

I've been really busy... but i'll post up some pics later...

 

alright, finally able to upload the pictures... Sorry Sam...

http://www.stupiddent.com/Event/event-20070616.php

Leo

 

Good s***!!