Convertible Bracing, Aftermarket?

[invaliduser]

Are there any aftermarket manufacturers that are planning on replacing the big hunk of steel OEM bracing underneath the convertible?
At least with something that will be compatible with all the goodies the coupe can have? :shrug:

Sponsored

 

[Southview]

Yeah! What he said!addle:

 

[invaliduser]

I briefly saw a post somewhere here about BMR working on the lockout kit for convertible.
But still looks like a bunch of nothing

 

[wildcatgoal]

What I'd do if I had a convertible is install Steeda's IRS solutions in the back (except their brace). Steeda's brace uses similar mounting points as the convertible's rear brace, so you more or less already have that. Up front you can do whatever you want.

 

[invaliduser]

Yea but their IRS brace actually mounts to the subframe doesn't it?

The factory brace is this giant sheet of metal that ties into the rear portion of the body from the mid section not touching the subframe

 

[robertwsimpson]

The goals of the steeda IRS piece and the factory bracing are completely different. The factory bracing is there to keep the car from twisting (think entering a driveway or a parking lot diagonally). The steeda IRS brace is there to anchor the subframe to the rest of the vehicle by using more attachment points. Very different things going on here.

BMR's "convertible kit" is just going to be the coupe kit but without the tubey metal things (which in my opinion is the best part).

I like the convertible bracing exactly the way it is. Only issue that I have with it is that it necessitates "convertible specific" exhaust.

There are plenty of suspension modifications that we convertible owners can do and leave the bracing in place.

 

[BMR Tech]

As stated, we are going to be releasing our CB010 soon, which will be a cradle bushing lockout kit for convertibles, or those who have or want to use the Steeda Braces.

The release has been delayed due to it being end of the year. The sales we run from November to January really take some effort, and take away from releasing products.

As for the vert bracing, we have looked into making replacements...and adding some benefits to them, but we have put the project on hold for now unfortunately. I hope to revisit that product soon.

 

[robertwsimpson]

I haven't spoken with Kelly at BMR yet (which I will definitely be doing, as he is very knowledgeable and into the S550 scene), but what I am planning on is the following:

Steeda subframe alignment kit for BMR CB005
BMR performance springs SP080
BMR sway bars SB034
BMR poly bushing kit for cradle BK047
BMR poly bushing kit for diff BK049
Steeda convertible jacking rails

Things I am not sure about:
does it make sense to get the lockout kits AND the bushing kits for the differential and cradle?
Do we need any camber/caster adjustment or will this put us where we would want to be for street use?

Really, the only items that we can't use are the coupe versions of the jacking rails (but there are already convertible specific ones)
the BMR cradle lockout kit (we can use most of it, just not all of it)
the Steeda IRS support braces (might be interesting, but oh well)

I am not sure, but I think that the stuff we can do would be sufficient for most builds... not sure what you guys have in mind for your end result.

 

[BMR Tech]

BMR's "convertible kit" is just going to be the coupe kit but without the tubey metal things (which in my opinion is the best part)..

Well, in all honesty, it is the least effective part of the kit.

The primary focus of those arms are to center the cradle better than factory, add a jacking point, and better support the loads applied to the bolts.

The other 8 componens within the CB005, actually do much more for performance - and are the parts that led to the name "Cradle Bushing Lockout Kit"

:cheers:

 

[robertwsimpson]

Well, in all honesty, it is the least effective part of the kit.

The primary focus of those arms are to center the cradle better than factory, add a jacking point, and better support the loads applied to the bolts.

The other 8 componens within the CB005, actually do much more for performance - and are the parts that led to the name "Cradle Bushing Lockout Kit"

:cheers:

but they're not red.

 

[wildcatgoal]

Prefect, regarding factory brace mounting. It's still effective. Your issue is the IRS. Just skip the Steeda brace and you're good with what they offer. Go BMR stuff if you prefer.

 

[MagneticMan]

I'd like to see something from Steeda to replace the factory rear bracing and to make sure it works with their lightweight jacking rails specially made for the convertibles

Sponsored