Steeda Torque Box Brace

[Mountain]

Does anyone here have experience with these and/or any feedback/comments? Keep in mind I posted this in the cornering section for a reason.

I know the S197 platform is pretty rigid, but this does look like a worth while piece of bracing and I have read a few reviews on this product, all being positive. One of the reviews on the Steeda website said that they noticed more of a difference in cornering than straight line acceleration (who knows if Steeda writes any of those reviews).


http://www.steeda.com/store/steeda-three-point-frame-rail-and-torque-box-brace-for-ford-mustang.html

 

[908ssp]

Mounted as shown in those pictures I have to say I would think they are worthless. Now if you weld them in place they might help a little. A roll bar or closing the rear seat pass through will do a lot more in keeping the back half ridged. It's like the difference between a flattened card board box and an assembled and taped box. Adding a second flat box on top of the first flat box won't make the flattened box much stronger in torsion. Assembling the one box and taping the edges makes it 100 times stronger in torsion. That added frame is so close to the orignal frame it won't do much even welded.

 

[Philostang]

I kind of had the same reaction 908ssp had. When I first saw the product (ages ago), I thought it must be aimed at the straight-line crowd. But reading Steeda's promo, I got the feeling that they wanted to market it towards us. I don't see it.

I keep struggling to see any torsional advantage this might offer. The two bars meeting at the front LCA pick-up point are clearly meant to support fore and aft loads by tying them into more points of the frame (I'm assuming it's welded in). Aside from that, nada, the brace is completely parallel to the frame.

Maybe more support in fore/aft loads would provide an interesting benefit in how the axle is controlled while cornering? I'd like to hear others' input on this possibility.

As for the reviews, assuming it isn't a plant from Steeda, without data to back it up I'd just as soon chalk it up to placebo. Fair enough, you feel that way; but that doesn't mean much to my sense that this isn't a part for us.

Best,
-j

 

[pcdrj]

I don't think you'll find any serious road racing guys using this. It adds weight and the S197 chassis simply doesn't need it.

 

[DusterRT]

Looks like a good jacking point to me...other than that, I don't think it would be of any benefit.