Topic: Review: DDM Backbone EXTREME and ProBeam

[kennysabarese]

Just had Dave install the new Extreme Backbone and ProBeam, and all I just drove home 4 hours on the highway with it... and damn does it make a difference. Since I got both installed at the same time, I can't really speak for them individually. But for the price, just do it!

I can't imagine anyone installing any these parts and saying it does not help. I swear that even when you close the doors on the car, the sound is more solid. If you hit a bump with only one tire, you can hear the sound of the shock compressing instead of the entire car shaking. Feels like a car that costs about 10 thousand more in build quality.

Now on to the important part, the handling. Someone on one of the other forums mentioned that it is like putting the car on slots. That is the best way to put it. The car wants to go straight so much I could fall asleep and still get down the interstate safely. With the GMPP Tune/Sensors when I would lay into it, the car would clearly pull to one side or the other, it was pretty scary. This is completely gone! The car feels completely different (in a good way) and it goes where you tell it. I dunno if this is actually possible, but the steering wheel feels tighter, locked into center and more precise.

Last item, is the ride more harsh? Honestly it's hard to tell. It may be a little but it's so barely noticeable that I would not worry one bit. The most important thing is that the car feels a lot SAFER when going over bumps, I feel like I have more control over the car and that it is not jumping all over the place. I will have to drive a little more to see if it turns better when going over rough patches of road, but I feel that it would.  The car doesn't make as much noise when going over horrible sections of road with many small craters (plenty in NJ) so it just feels better and more solid.

This is a no brainer mod for ANYONE regardless of your performance desires. I have not driven on the street or race versions of the backbone, but I'm sure that any of these will have a similar effect. It just makes the car feel like a more expensive more solid car. I was in my friend's Porsche 911 Carrera 4 a few days ago, and after getting this in, my car feels a lot more like that. I feel like I'm really driving the car instead of just suggesting to it where to go.

Also if you are pushing more power than stock, you're nuts if you don't get this stuff. The car can handle A LOT more power with it. So buy this, then add more power than you originally were planning because you'll definitely be able to handle it.

[GXPinKC]

I love it when someone on the forum get's a new mod and is so excited about it that they just quiver with excitement and enthusiasm.  I have heard similar responses from others.  Thanks Kennysabarese for the truthful and informative review.  With the mods you  have added to your 2007 Sky Red Line, the Extreme Backbone and Pro Beam are pretty much essential to have.

Great Post.  Enjoy the 

GXPinKC
Ron 

[IBDRINKEN]

do you mind me asking how much the extreme version is

[Fred]

Thanks for the review.    Sounds like money well spent.

[Ben L]

So how are the Extreme Backbones different from, oh, say, the Race version?

[Fred]

Thicker I think. 

[Koobie]

Thicker and less flex.  Also, how much more are the extreme backbones versus the race?

[spicy3480]

DDMWorks was selling them this weekend for $175.

[HAMMER DOWN]

^^^ I need to type faster

Thicker and less flex.  Also, how much more are the extreme backbones versus the race?

 

AND weigh the same as the 3\8 race. 1\2 thick & I believe $175 @ the mod meet. But I would send PM off to DDM just in case I'm wrong on the selling price.

Mike

[spicy3480]

You are right about the price...$175 at the meet...just asked Dave from DDMWorks who is right nect to me in Joe's garage LOL.

[G8TR]

I have the street version backbone and the probeam in mine. I had to do a hard 90* turn (marked for 10 miles per hour) at almost 40 to keep from being t-boned by a dually truck. The car hooked and went. I hit a hill of dirt that measured 36'" and I climbed it almost 2 feet. The car stayed level and launched off the dirt pile for almost 12 feet. Without DDM's little goodies I'm sure I would have never made the turn, wound up in the ditch behind the dirt pile and totaled the car. Thanks DDM! 

[kennysabarese]

The Extreme version is 1/2 thick, but the same weight as the race version. It is stiffer than the race version.

Now it's really hard to choose which one to get! If money isn't an option is it possible to make the chassis too stiff?

[Ben L]

If you ask me, no, especially not in that location.  The "center section" of our cars is small, even compared with other 'verts.  The more torsional rigidity the better.

[lil goat]

The Extreme is twice as stiff as the Race, which is pretty dang stiff, it is 7 times stiffer the the Street, and are you ready for this 70 times stiffer than stock. The extreme is the prettiest too.

[elff]

I have just the probeam. [I ran out of money due to VDI Doors ]

What I have noticed is that it is alot harder to spin the rear tires.
Turn ins are much more crisp and I no longer have that front end plowing I used to have.
It almost feels like I replaced the tires due to all  the extra traction I am now getting.

Now I am dying to add the backbone.
AutoX Class be damned
 

[lil goat]

How much did those doors improve your handling? Did you get a dyno on those doors yet? 

[DeepBlueGXP]

The pro-beam man, it was the pro-beam

[elff]

When I got home from MM5 I just put the credit card away
it's worthless plastic right now
 

The doors added 20HP, 10 per side 

[lil goat]

I hope the guys from DDM didn't tell you that they gave me a sticker they said was good for 10 hp.

[DeepBlueGXP]

More like 20lbs, 10 per side.  The extra weight helps lower the vehicle

[HAMMER DOWN]

The  Race BackBone, that I have DDM install at the meet. Planted, is the one word that's comes to mind. Car feels like it's on rails. IMO I would do the backbone 1st, then the pro-beam. Before I would think of up-grading the stock GXP suspension. Just the Race BB. lets you feel the suspension work & works quite well enough for spirited driving for the street.

Mike.   

[DeepBlueGXP]

I have the Extreme version going on tonight. 

[Go-N Def]

Stop, Joe.  Just Stop!!!   Let the rest of us catch up for a while!

[BigSal]

I had the Extreme installed on my GXP this past weekend and I agree with the planted comment and I'll also say non-twisting on WOT on long straightaways.

BigSal

[GXPinKC]

I have the Extreme version going on tonight. 

Joe, as you already know, I am a novice at mods, just have the Diamond Stitch Center Console from JPM.  But, I just signed up for either the Powdercoated Race Backbone or Street and the ProBeam.  May I ask, is the DDM Backbone EXTREME, the same as the Race Backbone?  Just need some clarification before I order.  I may go forward with either the Westers Tune or the GM Tune, but at the moment undecided.  Will have to talk my wife into it, first.  Since Dave at DDM will be at the Nationals in Denver, that is where I plan to have it installed, but I signed up to get the price break.  Thanks for any help on my decision.

Joe, since you are installing the Extreme version tonight, I would certainly appreciate it if you would give me a review of performance peramiters after installation.  I know you have the Wester's Tune as well.  Any information that you might pass on would be most sincerely appreciated.  Anything to make this a stronger and safer performing vehicle with an eye to performance is my goal.  Don't want a terribly harsh ride though, cause Carol would throw a fit.  Your decision was really easy because you already have the Westers Tune.

Give me a hoot, after you are able to test what you have.
Ron T.