If you are going to go all the way or even a medium build with bracing get the MSMB from 3.0. If you want to tighten it up a bit and get less rattles get the 3.0 breast plate. After that you should decide how far you will go. Sportivo is a nice complete suspension, minus any braces. If you want more you will have time to decide how much you want to spend. You can spend 3 grand or so just on the absolute best bracing. That won't include the sways, struts/springs or coilovers, and other suspension parts. All told you can drop 6 or 7 grand just on the suspension. Then there are tires and wheels to go with the nice suspension. The vast majority of folks can't take advantage of all those upgrades especially on the street.

 

The various brands is all about what you're looking for. Che's will do the job just fine, but probably won't have that X factor that makes them a little bit better than everything else. 3.0 (corky's) is the next step, more costly, but being handmade by nothing short of expert craftsmen who know their Spyders gives them the potential to be better. They also provide all the Spyder-specific bracing you could need, Che does not. Tom's is the next step. The Gucci of bracing, if you will. Very strong, very beautiful, very expensive. Probably more than is necessary for the average driver, but some people just have to have the "best". I would recommend Che's or 3.0 from what I believe you will need.

As for the order..there is a little variance here..but
1. breastplate or MSMB
2. Front strut tower brace.
3. rear lower member brace
4. front lower member brace
5. rear strut tower brace
6. anything else you can think of

If you were to even get to say...3 or 4, you'd be pretty set, but every little bit helps.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (midshipman01 @ Jul 14 2007, 09:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

1. breastplate or MSMB[/b]

2. Read some more and decide later.

You said you only have $ for one step at a time and it think we would all agree on the first step. So you have time to learn where you want to go with bracing and how you want to drive the car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

1. breastplate or MSMB
2. Front strut tower brace.
3. rear lower member brace
4. front lower member brace
5. rear strut tower brace
6. anything else you can think of[/b]

I disagree. I'd say 1 is right. Always do that first.

I'd do 4 next. Then 2, 3, and 5.

That's in order of "bang for the buck."

Somewhere in there, make sure to do the short shifter and transmission bushing jobs.

 

okay! so #1 i get the breastplate first, but who from? corky or msmb or someone else? could someone provide a pic of what the plate looks like?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mark G @ Jul 14 2007, 09:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (midshipman01 @ Jul 14 2007, 09:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1. breastplate or MSMB[/b]

2. Read some more and decide later.

You said you only have $ for one step at a time and it think we would all agree on the first step. So you have time to learn where you want to go with bracing and how you want to drive the car.
[/b][/quote]

 

corky makes the MSMB. MSMB= midship member brace. If you have an 03+ I wouldn't get it as it's not known weather it will fit. Also if you plan on getting anything other then corky's under body bracing forget it. They don't know weather it will fit (actually I think it's known that che's won't fit) and don't care to have anything to do with anyone elses product. The breast plate will however work with anything else. Give us a budget though first "one piece" doesn't really mean much. However I think it's good that you are doing just one piece at a time because then you will get to know the effect each brace has on the car and get to know how the car handles better.

 

the msmb= midship member brace
corky= the guy who makes 'em
web3.0 racing= the place you buy 'em


EDIT:
dman™™, you beat me darkday!

go ahead and get a msmb, if it doesn't fit, you can sell it for full value I'm sure.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (southerneditor @ Jul 14 2007, 10:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

1. breastplate or MSMB
2. Front strut tower brace.
3. rear lower member brace
4. front lower member brace
5. rear strut tower brace
6. anything else you can think of[/b]

I disagree. I'd say 1 is right. Always do that first.

I'd do 4 next. Then 2, 3, and 5.

That's in order of "bang for the buck."

Somewhere in there, make sure to do the short shifter and transmission bushing jobs.
[/b][/quote]
So essentially, you're moving 4 to 2? Like I said, there will be a small variance.

If we were to debate on that single change though, I'll have to re-disagree. I did my own little FMB vs. FSTB test, and the FSTB proved much more effective to me. Together, it is a fantastic combo, but alone I was noticing much more with FSTB. Going thru Che, they're the same price, so I have to give "bang for the buck" to the FSTB. I guess we all have different experiences on that though.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (serinaj10 @ Jul 14 2007, 10:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mark G @ Jul 14 2007, 09:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (midshipman01 @ Jul 14 2007, 09:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1. breastplate or MSMB[/b]

2. Read some more and decide later.

You said you only have $ for one step at a time and it think we would all agree on the first step. So you have time to learn where you want to go with bracing and how you want to drive the car.
[/b][/quote]
okay! so #1 i get the breastplate first, but who from? corky or msmb or someone else? could someone provide a pic of what the plate looks like?

[/b][/quote]
here's 3.0 (corky's) site, it has all the names, pics, and prices. As you will see, the MSMB is just a larger, stronger, and more expensive version of a breastplate.

http://www.3point0racing.com/

 

I'm not braced fully yet, so I can't give a first-hand opinion on which goes on first and what has the most impact. I do believe though that the order also depends on your goals for your bracing. From what I've been reading and from some of my own experience if you're primarily after improved cornering, you prioritize the BP+FSTB+RSTB combination. If you're after a solid ride feel + reduced NVH you go for the BP+FMB+RMB first.

Furthermore be aware that some members here (including myself) have noticed some strange changes in handling depending upon the installed braces, such as an increased tendency of the car to oversteer with front braces installed, and to understeer with the rear braces installed.

Decide if you really want to get an MSMB or a breastplate. The 3.0 MSMB is probably the best mid under-brace that is available - leaps and bounds ahead of everything else out there. The problem is that it is not compatible with the TRD (or the Che derivative) FMB and as been mentioned before, will not work with 2003+.

Also, think of what will be lost when choosing your braces. With a 3.0 or Toms RMB, you will have to lose the center plastic splash panel underneath the car. A Che or TRD RMB though not as robust will let you keep the piece. Same thing with the FSTB - some like the Che or Cusco are configured such that you can keep your frunk lid (with reduced functionality), while others like the TRD or 3.0 will either require you to lose the lid or perform some interesting surgery to keep it functional.

 

Oh another thing I should mention the 03+ cars already have the TRD/Che/Cusco RMB installed but they are a bit heavier is all.

 

SE, did you end up getting that fender bracing?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

SE, did you end up getting that fender bracing?[/b]

Yes. Just lined up welding support so I'll be installing 'em soon.

Back to serina - I'd go with a regular Corky's BP so as to retain the most flexibility in forward upgrading. Be happy - you have so many choices now, unlike the old days, when we made our own braces from scavenged Royce Union bike frames.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mark G @ Jul 14 2007, 09:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (midshipman01 @ Jul 14 2007, 09:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1. breastplate or MSMB[/b]

2. Read some more and decide later.

You said you only have $ for one step at a time and it think we would all agree on the first step. So you have time to learn where you want to go with bracing and how you want to drive the car.
[/b][/quote]

+1

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mark G @ Jul 15 2007, 07:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mark G @ Jul 14 2007, 09:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (midshipman01 @ Jul 14 2007, 09:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1. breastplate or MSMB[/b]

2. Read some more and decide later.

You said you only have $ for one step at a time and it think we would all agree on the first step. So you have time to learn where you want to go with bracing and how you want to drive the car.
[/b][/quote]

+1
[/b][/quote]
Mark did you just "+1" your own post?

 

I have an almost full set of 3.0 racing bracing sitting in UK customs awaiting delivery at the moment. Only bit am not having is rear strut tower brace. I already have a Che FSB that made a big difference to the handling. The car now resists understeer better but is not tail happy. Also more stable in standing water at speed. My instinct is that the more solid 3.0 FSB will be even better. We shall see.

The 3.0 racing MSMB is not compatible with the 03 onward original front lower member brace or any aftermarket ones, however it is designed to fit with the 3.0 racing front member brace, which looks to be much more rigidly constructed than the stock item on the 03+ cars, so I am replacing the stock front member brace with the 3.0 and MSMB.

IMO reducing flex at the front only will reduce understeer, reducing flex at the rear will reduce oversteer, so doing both ends and the middle should help retain the cars original balance. I wonder if the move to 30mm stagger on wheel sizes on the 03 car was a result of better front end performance from the bracing Toyota fitted? Give me a week or two to get the kit fitted and I will review it on here.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (broudie @ Jul 15 2007, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Mark did you just "+1" your own post?

[/b]

Yes, I really liked it.

 

I got our front lower member brace on Ebay they go for $50.00 I got it for 25 from Vertex racing. It installed in miniutes and looks great. Opinions?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (grumpy @ Jul 14 2007, 09:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

If you are going to go all the way or even a medium build with bracing get the MSMB from 3.0. If you want to tighten it up a bit and get less rattles get the 3.0 breast plate. After that you should decide how far you will go. Sportivo is a nice complete suspension, minus any braces. If you want more you will have time to decide how much you want to spend. You can spend 3 grand or so just on the absolute best bracing. That won't include the sways, struts/springs or coilovers, and other suspension parts. All told you can drop 6 or 7 grand just on the suspension. Then there are tires and wheels to go with the nice suspension. The vast majority of folks can't take advantage of all those upgrades especially on the street.[/b]

grumpy - i love the sam avatar

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Spyder Husband @ Aug 25 2007, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I got our front lower member brace on Ebay they go for $50.00 I got it for 25 from Vertex racing. It installed in miniutes and looks great. Opinions?[/b]

25 huh? Was that with or without shipping? I see one on ebay for around 26.99 buy it now with shipping being 19.99
so basically 46.98.

For 13 more bucks though I would rather go with che as I know if something is wrong he will make it right.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mark G @ Jul 15 2007, 03:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (broudie @ Jul 15 2007, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mark did you just "+1" your own post?

[/b]

Yes, I really liked it.

[/b][/quote]

 

I'm a big believer in the breastplate. The MSMB looks like overkill to me. That could just be me trying to justify not buying one. I've already got F&R STB's, so I can't comment on their necessity. Since the FMB is kind of a replacement I'd say hold off. My next chunk of bracing money is going to a 3p0 rear x-brace and supplemental crossover brace.

Don't forget the AP roll bar adds significant bracing and visual benefits. The safety benefit is debatable.