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JIC vs Cusco Lower Arm Braces

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Old Feb 7, 2004 | 08:00 PM
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JIC vs Cusco Lower Arm Braces

So I have decided to get one of these bars for my car and I was just curious as to what everyone's opinions were on them and which one is "better". They both seem to be very similar and within the same price range (for me at least), so which one do you guys like better?

Pictures courtesy of Vivid Racing:

JIC:


Cusco:
Old Feb 9, 2004 | 02:27 AM
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It's all about the $$$....whichever one is cheaper.

The upper picture is NOT a Subaru.
The lower pictured arm bar(which I have) will not fit if the 'U-brace' is removed(mine is removed) without shimming the foreward attach points. I would like to get one that fits with the 'U-brace' removed and no shimming.
Old Feb 9, 2004 | 06:47 PM
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What U-brace are you referring to, and why did you remove it?
Old Feb 9, 2004 | 06:56 PM
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Uncle Scotty,
what exactly did the bar do for that car's handling? i'm curious, since i've haven't heard anything from anyone running one of these. mos people i know have opted for an ALK instead... just curious, not hijacking the thread.
Old Feb 10, 2004 | 12:43 AM
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Opting for an ALK instead of the lower brace is like opting for cookies instead of gasoline.....they are entirely different things.

The lower arm bar increases chassis rigidity while the ALK alters chassis geometry and bushing stiffness.
The arm bar makes the car 'point' better, and feel less 'sloppy'.

Get both, be :banana: :banana: :banana:
Old Feb 10, 2004 | 12:47 AM
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Originally posted by AWD 20T
What U-brace are you referring to, and why did you remove it?
The 'sub-frame' in the front. The big U shaped thingie under the front.
Old Feb 10, 2004 | 01:41 PM
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removing the subframe will weaken the front-end in the event of a frontal collision, do it at your own risk.

the Cusco V2 brace can be used with their V1 brace, and can be used with ALK by shimming up the front mouting points.

I used to have a custom, one-off brace on my old WRX, it was fully-triangulated, and connected the subframe to the frame rails.

It made a big difference to the steering, in turns and freeway tracking as well.
Old Feb 10, 2004 | 05:49 PM
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huh, for some reason i thought that the cusco bar couldn't be run with the ALK. if it can, i can definitely see the benefits of fitting it to the car, though it would be nice to be able to keep the subframe....
Old Feb 10, 2004 | 10:53 PM
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Originally posted by dropkick_muppet
huh, for some reason i thought that the cusco bar couldn't be run with the ALK. if it can, i can definitely see the benefits of fitting it to the car, though it would be nice to be able to keep the subframe....
OK...here it is......The Cusco v2 lower arm bar and an ALK and the 'sub-frame' all work just fine together. I know, I did it.
This is difficult to explain, because of all the possible combinations of hardware, but any one piece or any combination is possible.
It would seem that there are several versions of the Cusco bar and other hardware, and I could type for a week and never be able to make anybody understand the what and why....sorry, but it is pointless to try.
Old Feb 11, 2004 | 12:41 AM
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i think that at this point, a picture would be the most helpful....
Old Feb 11, 2004 | 10:52 AM
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Well since no one really has any comments on the JIC, I guess I'll have to buy it and try it for myself...
Old Feb 11, 2004 | 12:47 PM
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great, let us know how it works out!
Old Feb 11, 2004 | 07:55 PM
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Originally posted by AWD 20T
Well since no one really has any comments on the JIC, I guess I'll have to buy it and try it for myself...
I thought the JIC one looked nice too when I was looking @ vivid's site...but then someone said it was off an EVO. So since Vivid has it under the Subaru suspension area JIC must make one. Give it a try and let me know. I currently have the STi lower arm brace but it only attaches to the sub-frame in two locations and ties into the center section that you use to jack up the front of the car.
Old Feb 15, 2004 | 07:17 PM
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Originally posted by Uncle Scotty
It's all about the $$$....whichever one is cheaper.

The upper picture is NOT a Subaru.
It is a Subaru, notice the STi alumimum front contral arms? the exhaust pipe doesn't look like it's USDM OEM parts but it is definately a Subaru.
Old Feb 16, 2004 | 12:45 AM
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Originally posted by wm07
It is a Subaru, notice the STi alumimum front contral arms? the exhaust pipe doesn't look like it's USDM OEM parts but it is definately a Subaru.
Care to bet on that?



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