Topic: DDMWorks Cross Bay Brace

[dwdgraysol]

Well, I received my cross brace for my 08 with a stage 2 supercharger. It took me about an hour and a half to install it this morning. The hardness part was installing the brace tower on the passenger side. There is not much room to get the brace in with the supercharger body. The air intake tube support also uses the shock bolt for mounting, so the tube bracket does get in the way. Had to loosen the hose clamps on both end so I could rotate it out of the way to get the cross tower brace in.
All in all it is a easy install and looks great. Can't way to put it thru a few turns to see how it handles.

[GXPinKC]

Thanks dwdgraysol for your post and welcome to the Kappa Performace Forum!  Please report back after your test drive!

[Dave@DDMworks]

Well, I received my cross brace for my 08 with a stage 2 supercharger. It took me about an hour and a half to install it this morning. The hardness part was installing the brace tower on the passenger side. There is not much room to get the brace in with the supercharger body. The air intake tube support also uses the shock bolt for mounting, so the tube bracket does get in the way. Had to loosen the hose clamps on both end so I could rotate it out of the way to get the cross tower brace in.
All in all it is a easy install and looks great. Can't way to put it thru a few turns to see how it handles.

Yeap, the install is a little tight with the supercharger in there, let us know what you think after the test drive. On our test car we noticed a difference in turn in response and cowl shake over irregularities, the front end feels a lot tighter on ours now, let us know what you find with yours!

Thanks,
Dave

[snaponbob]

Uh, pardon the off topic on part of this post, but here goes and I wll receive heat for this but...snaponbob (Bob) has graciously sent me a PM that he would install the DDMWorks Cross Bay Brace if I was to have it shipped.  Now, I am already in his debt for installing my T-Bolt Clamps on Miss Red Eagle way back!  And I caught heck on that as well, and we just live accross town from each other, and way back we had a dual Dyno at the premier Dyno shop in the Kansas City area.   

Well, this post is getting way to long.  Thanks Bob for offering.  I am thinking...

Ron

You are absolutely NOT in debt to ME. It was my pleasure. Fortunately, the cross brace is a LOT easier than those clamps. Those were no fun on YOUR car and no fun on MY car. Bring the car over. It will take no time at all.

[snaponbob]

Ta know, I forgot all about the cowl shake issue. With springs about triple the stock rate I get plenty of it. As a matter of fact, I have a cracked windshield from the flex as well. But, that said, the cowl shake is all but gone.

[1LILNDN]

Well, I received my cross brace for my 08 with a stage 2 supercharger. It took me about an hour and a half to install it this morning. The hardness part was installing the brace tower on the passenger side. There is not much room to get the brace in with the supercharger body. The air intake tube support also uses the shock bolt for mounting, so the tube bracket does get in the way. Had to loosen the hose clamps on both end so I could rotate it out of the way to get the cross tower brace in.
All in all it is a easy install and looks great. Can't way to put it thru a few turns to see how it handles.

 dwdgraysol 
 
  

[GXPinKC]

Ta know, I forgot all about the cowl shake issue. With springs about triple the stock rate I get plenty of it. As a matter of fact, I have a cracked windshield from the flex as well. But, that said, the cowl shake is all but gone.

Now that remark Bob, should seal the deal for any who have yet to pull the trigger on the DDMWorks Cross Bay Brace.  Our 2007 GXP has the standard springs so the cowl shake issue is not even a factor.  I have driven Bob's 2007 Sky Redline and I was blown away with it.  Now, his remark that with the DDMWorks Cross Bay Brace "the cowl shake is all but gone" is a prime example of what you can expect if your purchase the DDMWorks Cross Bay Brace.  

What I am saying is, if you have any doubts, whatsoever, just do it!  Place your order and the smile will be as large as the one on Jack Nicholson's face in the movie 'Batman"!

Now, as soon as my Red DDMWorks Cross Bay Brace arrives and is installed, I will oblige and ask Bob to drive "Miss Red Eagle" again! 

[Critterman]

Just go for, I let Joe do most of my installs

[Helios]

The hardness part was installing the brace tower on the passenger side. There is not much room to get the brace in with the supercharger body. The air intake tube support also uses the shock bolt for mounting, so the tube bracket does get in the way.

  It took me about an hour to get mine installed last night. The passenger side is definitely a tight fit. Not much clearance in a few spots, but it does clear. When you stomp on the gas pedal, the engine doesn't rock and hit the cross brace. I was a bit worried, but it's all good. Handling has improved a bit after the install. More point and go without the sloppiness of loading and unloading through corners.

Pics:

[ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[smartin]

Looking good, Joey!

[Dave@DDMworks]

It took me about an hour to get mine installed last night. The passenger side is definitely a tight fit. Not much clearance in a few spots, but it does clear. When you stomp on the gas pedal, the engine doesn't rock and hit the cross brace. I was a bit worried, but it's all good. Handling has improved a bit after the install. More point and go without the sloppiness of loading and unloading through corners.

Pics:

(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

Good Job Joey!

What did you paint yours with? That is not how we sent it to you

Dave

[Helios]

Good Job Joey!

What did you paint yours with? That is not how we sent it to you

Dave

Hehehe! You like that? I was really impressed with how my brake calipers turned out when I used the stuff this spring so I had already decided to paint the crossbrace with the same stuff. Dupli-color "Clear effects" paint gives that "starlight" sheen that you guys add to your powdercoating process. I applied 4 to 5 coats to the crossbrace and I think it turned out great! I'm thinking of using it or Shadow to paint the chrome charge tubes when I get Stage 3 from you guys. There are two other Duplicolor products I want to try and see how they work out: Shadow (chrome-blackout) and Nite Lites (a highly reflective coating). Are my stage 3 parts ready yet? 

[Critterman]

Joey, can you take a picture that shows the clearance between the bottom of the brace and the S/C?

Thanks,

 

[Helios]

Joey, can you take a picture that shows the clearance between the bottom of the brace and the S/C?

Thanks,

 

Sure. I'll snap some pics after work today.

Forgot to mention that the dimensions for cutting the wheel well liner are larger than they needed to be. I found that the 3" long cut on the rear sections were too long. The channel bulb rubber does not fit tight towards and on the rear section. I'll post a pic of that as well.

[Helios]

Critter,
     Here's the pics you wanted plus the ones about the wheelwell liner cuts being too large towards the rear (I cut according to directions).

[ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Sly Bob]

Your right when you say that there isn't a lot of room there. I assume that the fillers at the wheelhouse liners as pictured in the last few pics were not supplied by DDM?

[Helios]

Your right when you say that there isn't a lot of room there. I assume that the fillers at the wheelhouse liners as pictured in the last few pics were not supplied by DDM?

The channel rubber is supplied with the brace from DDM. Included in the crossbay brace kit: 2 x crossbrace towers, 1 x crossbrace beam, approx. 1 ft of channel rubber, and bolts/washers/nuts for brace assy.

[TomatoSoup]

Forgot to mention that the dimensions for cutting the wheel well liner are larger than they needed to be. I found that the 3" long cut on the rear sections were too long. The channel bulb rubber does not fit tight towards and on the rear section. I'll post a pic of that as well.

I looked at your photos, but it only seems maybe 1/4" too long at the most (enough for error clearance).  Is that all you meant, or am I missing something?

Don't like the look of the rubber trim strips though.  I think I'll use a multitool saw and try and cut mine as neatly as possible and (hopefully) avoid the need for the strips.

[Helios]

I looked at your photos, but it only seems maybe 1/4" too long at the most (enough for error clearance).  Is that all you meant, or am I missing something?

Don't like the look of the rubber trim strips though.  I think I'll use a multitool saw and try and cut mine as neatly as possible and (hopefully) avoid the need for the strips.

Yeah, that's all I meant. It's only slightly too long. I'd rather have the channel rubber to seal the gap between the liner and the towers then to let it be open and possibly allow more road grime up into the engine bay.

[Critterman]

Thanks Joey, number 2 is what I was concerned about.  With the brace I tested last year after going stage III I was hitting the brace there, hard enough to start cutting into the SC cover.

I don't have any rubber in my cuts, that is new with the new brace, but I have to tell you it doesn't sling that much grim into the engine bay.

[Helios]

Thanks Joey, number 2 is what I was concerned about.  With the brace I tested last year after going stage III I was hitting the brace there, hard enough to start cutting into the SC cover.

I don't have any rubber in my cuts, that is new with the new brace, but I have to tell you it doesn't sling that much grim into the engine bay.

So how'd you resolve the problem? Modified the brace you have? I'd hate to think I can't upgrade to Stage 3 on 10/23 because I installed the brace. Obviously if this becomes a problem for me, the brace will have to go. 

[Dave@DDMworks]

So how'd you resolve the problem? Modified the brace you have? I'd hate to think I can't upgrade to Stage 3 on 10/23 because I installed the brace. Obviously if this becomes a problem for me, the brace will have to go. 

Joey,

He had one of the early prototype braces, not the same one that you have and that we are shipping now. The new braces fit Stage 1-3 Superchargers

Dave

[GXPinKC]

Joey,

He had one of the early prototype braces, not the same one that you have and that we are shipping now. The new braces fit Stage 1-3 Superchargers

Dave

Thanks for the clarification and explanation Dave.

[DRM]

I installed my brace last night...I like it...my co-works think it looks great....Thanks DDMWorks.

[GXPinKC]

DRM, the DDMWorks Cross Bay Brace looks awesome!  Thanks for the picture!  Our red one has shipped and will be here friday, can't wait!!!