Tanabe Sustec underbrace - who finally has one installed on their car?
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
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Tanabe Sustec underbrace - who finally has one installed on their car?
Currently I have a neuspeed X-Brace. It does definitely work, but I am pissed off at their shitty design. The damn thing does not scrape on the ground, but hits the exhaust down pipe a lot, especially now that I just installed a magnaflow. So much so that I took it off, which sucks because I can tell it was working when cornering.
So anyways, I would really like to see a photo of this thing installed on someones car. I have seen pictures of it in other threads, but I want to see how much it really clears the exhaust (if any). I'd be willing to upgrade to this from my X-Brace if it fixes the damn exhaust rattling.
Anyone?
So anyways, I would really like to see a photo of this thing installed on someones car. I have seen pictures of it in other threads, but I want to see how much it really clears the exhaust (if any). I'd be willing to upgrade to this from my X-Brace if it fixes the damn exhaust rattling.
Anyone?
i have it no pics and i know grey has it and has pics up on the site it sits kinda low to the ground ive only scraped once leaving a very steep sloped parking lot it gets 2 thumbsup from me....
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did you change your cat and your downpipe? I have no problem with mine with the DC TCS. If you plan on doing Autox, neither are legal in STS/STX...
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
Rep Power: 311 ok, I read grey's DIY - it looks cool, but he says he still gets a little rattling on the exhaust.
I tried shimming the X-Brace with 1.5" washers, 1/4" in fact. It was working for a bit, until I had the exhaust welded (think it came down a little after he welded it).
I ordered some bolts from an Accord and S2000 (14MM flange bolts, just longer ones - I had to use OEM bolts because they are 10.9 grade. Its almost impossible to find 14MM 10.9 grade fine thread flange bolts, I've tried). The ones I ordered are 107MM in length for the front (vs 98MM) and 125MM for the rear (vs 115MM). So they should help. I'm going to try shimming 1/2" when I get the longer bolts, I think that will cure the problem up. It was rubbing so bad you can see the metal on the X-Brace.
I like the sustec, but if it still will cause rubbing than there's no point to upgrade to it......
I'll try and take a few photos of this if I can get it to work.
In the mean time, does anyone know of anything I can maybe wrap the X-Brace with, some sort of rubber or anything that can withstand the heat of the exhaust? Might be another alternative......
I tried shimming the X-Brace with 1.5" washers, 1/4" in fact. It was working for a bit, until I had the exhaust welded (think it came down a little after he welded it).
I ordered some bolts from an Accord and S2000 (14MM flange bolts, just longer ones - I had to use OEM bolts because they are 10.9 grade. Its almost impossible to find 14MM 10.9 grade fine thread flange bolts, I've tried). The ones I ordered are 107MM in length for the front (vs 98MM) and 125MM for the rear (vs 115MM). So they should help. I'm going to try shimming 1/2" when I get the longer bolts, I think that will cure the problem up. It was rubbing so bad you can see the metal on the X-Brace.
I like the sustec, but if it still will cause rubbing than there's no point to upgrade to it......
I'll try and take a few photos of this if I can get it to work.
In the mean time, does anyone know of anything I can maybe wrap the X-Brace with, some sort of rubber or anything that can withstand the heat of the exhaust? Might be another alternative......
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
Rep Power: 311 Sorry Rob, to answer your question - yes, I changed the downpipe (I have an LX). I had to use the piece that came with the magnaflow. I plan on hacking it up when I get my turbo eventually so I can weld a high flow cat in there somewhere. The 2.25" piping sure is larger in diameter compared to the stock!
I get no ratteling!! but ive scrapped the metal a lil bit at the ends where the bolts are...but the brace is still unscratched....right now i have horrible alignment and the brace is allowing me to drive much much better. 
Originally posted by opto_isolator
ok, I read grey's DIY - it looks cool, but he says he still gets a little rattling on the exhaust.
I tried shimming the X-Brace with 1.5" washers, 1/4" in fact. It was working for a bit, until I had the exhaust welded (think it came down a little after he welded it).
I ordered some bolts from an Accord and S2000 (14MM flange bolts, just longer ones - I had to use OEM bolts because they are 10.9 grade. Its almost impossible to find 14MM 10.9 grade fine thread flange bolts, I've tried). The ones I ordered are 107MM in length for the front (vs 98MM) and 125MM for the rear (vs 115MM). So they should help. I'm going to try shimming 1/2" when I get the longer bolts, I think that will cure the problem up. It was rubbing so bad you can see the metal on the X-Brace.
I like the sustec, but if it still will cause rubbing than there's no point to upgrade to it......
I'll try and take a few photos of this if I can get it to work.
In the mean time, does anyone know of anything I can maybe wrap the X-Brace with, some sort of rubber or anything that can withstand the heat of the exhaust? Might be another alternative......
ok, I read grey's DIY - it looks cool, but he says he still gets a little rattling on the exhaust.
I tried shimming the X-Brace with 1.5" washers, 1/4" in fact. It was working for a bit, until I had the exhaust welded (think it came down a little after he welded it).
I ordered some bolts from an Accord and S2000 (14MM flange bolts, just longer ones - I had to use OEM bolts because they are 10.9 grade. Its almost impossible to find 14MM 10.9 grade fine thread flange bolts, I've tried). The ones I ordered are 107MM in length for the front (vs 98MM) and 125MM for the rear (vs 115MM). So they should help. I'm going to try shimming 1/2" when I get the longer bolts, I think that will cure the problem up. It was rubbing so bad you can see the metal on the X-Brace.
I like the sustec, but if it still will cause rubbing than there's no point to upgrade to it......
I'll try and take a few photos of this if I can get it to work.
In the mean time, does anyone know of anything I can maybe wrap the X-Brace with, some sort of rubber or anything that can withstand the heat of the exhaust? Might be another alternative......
Try a thick rubberband....but you see that stuff in the engine bay covering the rubber fuel line? its like foam...that stuff works really good...its keeping my intake unscratched.
i have it.. no noise at all.. i think i have to upgrade my rear sway bar again though.. it almost feels as if the back end can't keep up with the front now..i've hit the bar a few times too.. nothing like bad, just dumb stuff like if i was driving over a lump of snow in the middle of the road, i hear a "doonnggg"
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Rep Power: 0 Hey i was planning on getting the x bar, and i have a full magnaflow catback installed, if it really does hit the exhaust, wouldnt it be easier to just position the exhaust piping higher... I have never seen pics of the xbar installed, so i dont know if its possible, can anyone give me an answer?
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