Author Topic: LatinVenom Front Chassis Brace project (Read 66976 times)

TomatoSoup · « **Reply #150 on:** October 29, 2010, 10:36:18 AM »

Quote from: Imaj on October 29, 2010, 01:19:34 AM

I thought this was perfect timing to post this picture. It happened after a day of racing. What you are looking at is the passenger side where the hood meets the door. The paint chipped off because of the flex in the front end. THe other side of the hood has paint chips in the same area.

(Image removed from quote.)

Here's a tip (sorry for the thread sidetrack)... I got a reel of this stuff. Basically it's just thick clear-guard in a 3/8" wide tape form. Used it for my rear door edges to protect against any slight impacts when (passengers of course) are opening the doors. Plus the edges of the hood and the front top edges of the doors to help protect against the two impacting there - as your obviously did. Virtually invisible when on and cheap insurance.

I got mine on closeout from Advance Auto, but available online here (and other places): http://www.amazon.com/Trimbrite-T9023-Edge-Paint-Protec/dp/B000CQ47FG

DeepBlueGXP · « **Reply #151 on:** October 29, 2010, 10:39:44 AM »

The AC line is well protected with rubber so it's not a concern for me.

LatinVenom · « **Reply #152 on:** October 29, 2010, 08:11:25 PM »

Joe, could you try now that is bolted down, take a piece of thin card board and see if you can slide it underneath the pipe and the AC rubber cover.
I can do it on mine. I will try to take a picture tomorrow if can get a small camera for this task.

LatinVenom · « **Reply #153 on:** October 29, 2010, 08:18:32 PM »

Fedex now reports ALL LV Kappa Front Chassis Brace have been delivered.

Joe have you had a chance to go for a test drive. It should feel more solid than before, also try some some 90 degree turns, at different higher speeds.

Sly Bob · « **Reply #154 on:** October 29, 2010, 08:26:26 PM »

No one has reviews? Surely SOMEONE has takin' her (him) for a drive after the install.

S.P. · « **Reply #155 on:** October 29, 2010, 08:53:40 PM »

Installed my brace today and took plenty of pics. For anyone wanting detailed install instructions w/ pics let me know and I'd be happy to post them.

Two things I noticed during my install:

The brace sat right on top of the AC hose and came in contact with it. I pushed the line down a little to create a gap between the two. No big deal.
The Resonator (big plastic box) will not fit with the brace installed. I ended up removing it completely and capped the hole. Apparently, throttle response is quicker with the box off! Basically, if you have a 2.4 the brace won't fit unless you remove the resonator box, or already have some kind of CAI installed (which removes the resonator).

Afterwards, I only drove about 20 mins, so I'll withhold judgment until I get some extended driving in.

Sly Bob · « **Reply #156 on:** October 29, 2010, 08:59:11 PM »

You have to ask?

Please post pictures and a review after you can get a good drive in.

LatinVenom · « **Reply #157 on:** October 29, 2010, 09:13:01 PM »

Does the car feel more solid to you than before?.
S.P.
As you know this was never tested on a 2.4L so there was no way for me to know the resonator box would be on the way of the Brace.
I would like to know if others have the same issue with the AC rubber hose, since it does not happened in my GXP.
By the way all the braces were tested on my car prior to getting painted, the 1/8" clearance was consistence with all of them.
The fabricator made a Master jig in order for ALL the Braces to be within the same tolerance when they were made.
The thing to be aware off here is as follows, if I make an adjustment, then the Brace will not fit, since the fan module would not let you install the Brace.

S.P. · « **Reply #158 on:** October 29, 2010, 09:26:50 PM »

Sly Bob:
Working on it now.

LV:
I would like to say yes, but again I didn't drive very long or try to make any crazy tight turns. I'll put it through it's paces tomorrow and update then. As far as having to remove the resonator, it was no big deal for me. I realized I was the test mule for 2.4 fitment. I'm actually glad I had to remove it!

DeepBlueGXP · « **Reply #159 on:** October 29, 2010, 10:05:55 PM »

The first photo shows my tools used to reach the bolts on the sides. Then the photos start with my placement of the brace in the drivers side, I accidentally placed it under a line on the passenger side and had to reposition it, then I was able to get the brace on the spot as described in the instructions. Very good instructions by the way. Even though the inside bolt on the driver side was a "B" it took me about 30 minutes to install. I haven't had much time to test as the traffic sucked going to and from work.

S.P. · « **Reply #160 on:** October 29, 2010, 10:53:42 PM »

Tools I used:
13mm wrench
13mm socket with 3/8 ratchet, extension, and universal joint
Flat head and phillips screwdrivers
Six point screwdriver bit

Unboxing.

Remove fan plug from connector at passenger side.

Remove two bolts from rail.

The arrow is pointing to the resonator. This will need to be permantely removed since the brace prevents it from being reinstalled. Remove the two circled bolts, plus one more on the other side of the resonator.

Loosen these two clamps and disconnect the tubing at both ends. This will allow the resonator to be lifted out.

Remove this bolt from the side of the rail once the resonator is off. The circled hose may need two be pushed down to clear the brace.

Then simply slide the brace in between the fan and engine from the driver side. I tightened the two side bolts first to set the brace in place, then the two top bolts. The next three pics show the brace installed.

Lastly, reconnect the intake tubing to the air filter, plug the hole where the resonator was, and tighten the clamps. My friend came up with a crazy idea of using a spray can top as a plug. Kinda ghetto, but it actually works! I'll keep it there temporarily. Oh, and don't forget to plug the fan connector back in (I did).

LatinVenom · « **Reply #161 on:** October 30, 2010, 03:12:09 PM »

Joe,
Your AC line is way higher than mine.
Is it possible when you change the IC tubes the line was pulled up?.
My AC line is about 3/8 of an inch below the side of the rail.
My car has ALL stock components.

PS: GREAT PICTURES!!!
Yes, you definitely do not want to go below that line on the passenger side.
That is the reason I mentioned to have a friend or significant other help you guide it to the other side, then you can say thank you and they are done helping you.

DeepBlueGXP · « **Reply #162 on:** October 30, 2010, 06:16:32 PM »

My IC pipes are stock, just painted. I pushed it down a little and it stayed there. No issues. I need to do an auto-x to give it a fair assessment.

DRM · « **Reply #163 on:** October 31, 2010, 12:03:07 AM »

Quote from: smartin on October 28, 2010, 11:55:38 AM

Good luck and Happy Birthday, Derek!

Thanks Susan...

Sly Bob · « **Reply #164 on:** October 31, 2010, 02:39:17 PM »

Been pretty quiet so I assume everyone that got the brace is out enjoying it...

LatinVenom · « **Reply #165 on:** October 31, 2010, 06:31:34 PM »

Quote from: DeepBlueGXP link=topic=5e206.msg76743#msg76743 date=1288476992

My IC pipes are stock, just painted. I pushed it down a little and it stayed there. No issues. I need to do an auto-x to give it a fair assessment.

Joe,
Don't you have a favorite twist road in MD?. If you drive it at the same speed as before the installation of the Kappa Front Chassis Brace, does it feel the same or does it give you the feeling you can push a bit more?.
Does it seem to take the curves a little different, as though the car rear end is more planted than before and it follows your steering as it glides through the turn?.

old goat · « **Reply #166 on:** November 01, 2010, 08:39:58 AM »

Funny how when you stiffen the front it effects the back, but that's is how it's supposed to work.

smartin · « **Reply #167 on:** November 01, 2010, 09:12:26 AM »

That's what she said.

Brad Kenny · « **Reply #168 on:** November 01, 2010, 09:59:09 AM »

LV,
Gonna have to wait on the Front Chassis Brace for a while longer. Sorry for the late notice. Gotta love how "things" come up. Will PM with details.

Jeremy

LatinVenom · « **Reply #169 on:** November 01, 2010, 11:00:55 AM »

New list for next batch of LV Kappa Front Chassis Brace.

1. Sly Bob
2. DirtyMike
3. pharmboy
4. Spartan
5. CT_Solstice
6. Hammer Down
7. JoshMcMadMac
8. Imaj
9. gmtech16450yz

I am going to hold up on getting a new batch made until the folks that got the 1st 10 can report back their experience.
Thank you.

Brad Kenny · « **Reply #170 on:** November 01, 2010, 11:08:27 AM »

Ok then I am still in. Just need to square away a few things before doing this major install... will paypal when ready to goto production.

Joe, any chance to test it out yet? How about any of the 2.4's? Any feedback? Other than the installation input.

DRM · « **Reply #171 on:** November 01, 2010, 11:14:14 AM »

I put the brace on yesterday after Church....a piece of cake. I didn't have to unplug anything. The brace fit without any issues for me..

Thanks for a great product LV...2 for 2...I love the Solstice bag and the brace.

I have the DDMWorks brace and the LV brace installed. With the addition of the LV bace the car felt even tighter.

MARVIC 1 · « **Reply #172 on:** November 01, 2010, 02:34:30 PM »

OK Here goes my install of the LV Brace...

I was able to install the LV Brace with almost no problem at all this morning.
The "almost" was the AC line, just a little (1/2") push downwards did the job. Was able to install even with no help.
Took the car out after the install and while driving out of my garage and making my left turn out I could feel the response right away.
I have DDM Works Pro beam, Backbone, Kappasphere Eibach Springs and now with the LV Brace my car seems to turn on a center pivot.
Went over the Railroad tracks crossing and again a complete different solid feeling...
Haven't tried it yet on higher speeds but I'm sure this new installation is a major plus to my car...
Thanks LV.....

Sly Bob · « **Reply #173 on:** November 01, 2010, 09:04:03 PM »

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to reading the others and getting one installed on my car.

gmtech16450yz · « **Reply #174 on:** November 01, 2010, 09:24:33 PM »

Ok, I was planning on making my own, but with a hundred other things on my plate right now I guess I'll spend the money instead of the time! Go ahead and put me on the list.

When do you think you'll be shipping the next batch? If you're close to making another batch let me know and I'll PayPal you some cash.

Thanks LV,
John

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Author Topic: LatinVenom Front Chassis Brace project (Read 66976 times)