1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Installed Cusco Strut bar and RB Engine torque brace

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Old Apr 20, 2002 | 06:56 PM
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Installed Cusco Strut bar and RB Engine torque brace

Wow what a day, let me say first installing the RB engine engine torque brace was pain in the ***. the mounting points are hard to get at and I needed to open the holes a bit, since the brace would not fit, to narrow.
It's a pretty strait forward install, just follow the instructions they supply.

You notice the difference when you fire the motor up, the car jerks more than usual
the idle is a bit rougher, and you can feel the cabin vibrate a bit more
also with the mounting point being where it is, it sounds like a intercom system to the engine bay, all the tranny engine vibrations/sounds transmit thru the rod to the chassis, thru the firewall and into the interior.
It's kind of a cool/annoying sound, an extra turn of the radio solves this problem.

The Cusco bar is a very easy install, 6 bolts, a bit of adjustment, and done.
no real clue on the effects of it yet, waiting for a nice track day

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Old Apr 20, 2002 | 06:57 PM
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more pix
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Old Apr 20, 2002 | 06:58 PM
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one more
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Old Apr 20, 2002 | 07:03 PM
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That is a bizarre torque brace! What kind of bracing did you have to weld or bolt in at the fender? That where the relays normally go, right? Or is that just for 12A cars? The strut bar was extremely sweet...
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Old Apr 20, 2002 | 08:08 PM
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there is a seam at the mounting point, so there is two layers of steel. Then 2 fat washers to distribute the load.
there were no relays there.
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Old Apr 20, 2002 | 08:16 PM
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Wow, that torque brace looks like it would be easy to make! A strong bar, a thead maker, and some brackets, and a few nuts and washers. The engine brace hooks right to the rear engine hoist connection right? How thick is that bar? What kind of difference does it make? Is there some rubber supporting the ends of the the bracing?
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Old Apr 20, 2002 | 08:23 PM
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stange.. but the torque brace in your pictures looks nothing like the one on the rb site..

hmmmmm
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Old Apr 20, 2002 | 08:32 PM
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It seems to be 7ga steel, 2 bends 1 weld edge.
2 point mount on engine, top hoist spot, and lower one where the ground mounts near slave cylinder.
rubber only at bar to brace connection, none at engine/tranny point or fender.
It's the RB kit, you just don't see most of it when installed.
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Old Apr 20, 2002 | 08:33 PM
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another view
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Old Apr 20, 2002 | 09:07 PM
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Thanks Max7, that was a very good informative reply, thanks!
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Old May 18, 2002 | 12:41 AM
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did you have to take the quarter panel off to install the engine brace?
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Old May 18, 2002 | 01:03 AM
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[/B][/QUOTE]

Max, what E-fan and shroud is that? Looks like a perfect fit. Does it have alot of CFM's?
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Old May 18, 2002 | 09:36 AM
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RUMBLE RUMBLE!
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Old May 18, 2002 | 10:08 AM
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I have the same torque brace. I went to Home Depot and got a couple of neoprene washers (very thin), they helped a lot. I had to remove my strut bar to get it on, since I have a triangular bar.
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Old May 18, 2002 | 02:17 PM
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You just pull back the inner fender molding to access the hole. a bit of a pain but it works

Originally posted by riffraff
did you have to take the quarter panel off to install the engine brace?
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Old May 18, 2002 | 02:22 PM
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Directfreak - It's the Flex-a-lite Black Magic, 2800cfm
works REAL well
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=23680

David88vert - How do you like the triangular bar? I wanted one but having to remove the screws to comply with AutoX rules only allowing 2 points would be a pain.
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Old May 18, 2002 | 04:30 PM
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I made my own custom one out of a Kenny Brown 98 Mustang bar and a custom adapter. I like using it.
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Old May 18, 2002 | 05:16 PM
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Originally posted by Max7
Directfreak - It's the Flex-a-lite Black Magic, 2800cfm
works REAL well
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=23680
Thanks, I have always heard good things from that brand, but I didn't know it came with its own shroud.
Looks like an OEM fit from your picture.

I will order one on Monday.
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