Strut Brace Info

I am thinking of putting a front upper strut brace on my mk1. i have just bought a new bonnet to fit to it, because my old one was full of fibre glass. and it has cut outs were the strut brace has been. is it really neccessery to cut the bonnet to fit a strut brace?

cheers in advance

naaaa ive got front upper brace fitted an no mods, let alone cutting of the bonnet was required.

I always recall reading in a publication called Volkswagen Watercooled Performance Handbook that it's the lower strut brace that tighten things up and that the upper one did little.

upper one do a bit of the work though like said the lower one does more but you need longer bolts for them which can be a bit of a pain to find.

Volksport strut braces, used to be made by Geoff Thomas / Autocavan

fthaimike said

upper one do a bit of the work though like said the lower one does more but you need longer bolts for them which can be a bit of a pain to find.

I got a lovely stainless steel one from Trimsport a few years back and that came with extended bolts. I guess you don't get them with OMP ones etc ?

Only reason i even knew that they were harder to get was that it popped up in my build thread:

http://www.clubgti.com…hread.php?t=59459&page=33

So if people do know of an off the shelf item for people pop it up in here.

depending on design can get lower braces that dont need longer bolts, pays you money takes your choice.

Quite liked those design before.

This one a friend runs:


The cross over ones look nice too.

blooming heck, i didnt realise there was so many types. i think i need to be buying a upper (for looks) and the lower (fa
or handling purposes) haha. thanks very much for your input.

Matt

The upper one isn't just for looks, after i fitted a 2.1 into my mk1 the dash started creaking like hell until i fitted an upper brace to remove some of the flex.

fthaimike said

upper one do a bit of the work though like said the lower one does more but you need longer bolts for them which can be a bit of a pain to find.

were did you get this?
were all all the others from guys?

fthaimike said

Quite liked those design before.

This one a friend runs:


The cross over ones look nice too.

what roll bar is this? re different links used on the mk1 lower arm?

It is made by Black Forest Industries in North America though not sure if still made.





They also make a MK1 front cross member like this:




A DIY copy of one here:


And their latest version of the one posted above:

I just purchased from fleabay…

The crossover ones look really smart !!! like them

I can't see that crossmember re-inforcement bar doing a lot?

I do like the strut brace though. The triangulation to the rear mount area is good.

It gives extra rigidity from the engine mount across to the bumper bolts area.

Paul haslam has something slightly similar in his quick cabrolet.

Wish i had one when my engine mount ripped itself away from the front panel.

fthaimike said

This one a friend runs:

It can be seen here in yellow (also one above you can see the yellow paint showing through.

The crossmember brace BFI sells was designed and created by GoKraut.

Just launched http://www.GoKraut.com
I ship internationally. Contact me if you have any questions.


-Rob

posted it up on cgti.com and through my facebook to people

Thank you very much!

I appreciate it greatly


-Rob