DIY Installed: Cusco Type II Frame Brace (with BIG Pics)
 

gotta show some love for the less common alternative to the gtspec frame brace.

Easy DIY. Level Ultra-Noob.

Tools:
- 14mm socket wrench
- WD-40 if you want (not necessary)
- Jacks (2), Jackstands if you have them
- Another person to help hold the brace while bolting

installed the cusco 4-point frame brace for the bB last night. gotta say it is quite a quality piece. purchased from JSCSpeed for $160 shipped.

came in a cardboard box labeled with Cusco and Vacanza, so you know it was straight from Japan. (plus, it still had the japanese sticker label on the box)

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/awlin...o/DSC01585.JPG

out of the box, it had a lot more packaging than i expected. looks like it came straight off of a Super Autobacs shelf. comes with the bar and another bag with 4 new bolts, 4 little washers, 4 big washers, japanese instructions and disclaimer, and a Cusco sticker.

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/awlin...o/DSC01586.JPG

install was easy, just jack up both front sides a bit and shimmy underneath.

it is very dirty under there, so be prepared to get your hands dirty.

unbolt the two dinky black bars from the left and right sides of the car. they really only work front to back stability. they are at the sides of the car, right after the wheels.

you should now have those 4 bolt points empty.

now layer the cusco washers (kind of have to figure this out) so that the bigger one is against the brace and the smaller one is against the head of the bolt in the hollow-pit bolt points on the brace. the cavity at the bolt points should be facing down to the ground (you) so that the brace back sits flat with the underside. the stickers on the brace should be visible to you.

thus, the layering (at least the way i did it) is:
Underside of car
Brace
Big Washer (larger diameter)
Little Washer (smaller diameter)
Bolt
Your Wrench

having someone help you hold the brace while bolting makes the job a lot easier and a lot faster. As a rule of thumb, get all the bolts in place and semi-tight before really tightening up everything to ensure proper fit.

now torque it baby.

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/awlin...o/DSC01591.JPG

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/awlin...o/DSC01597.JPG

the piece looks very impressive, and you can kind of see a little bit of it when you approach the car (at least at stock height).

now, the hard part is figuring out where to put the sticker. i just put it on the oven cover. gives it a nice metallic feel inside the car.

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/awlin...o/DSC01600.JPG

All in all, love the brace. It tightens up the handling a bit. Quicker turn in, less body roll, and steering is now ultra sharp in the front. Can't go wrong with Cusco.

Don't be intimidated by the lack of English instructions, it's almost a plug and play application. Also notice on the disclaimer, they say "must not be used on any vehicle outside of japan". har har.

Been wanting to pick this piece up for some time- thanks for the pics and write-up!!!

Looks great... how much?

i got it for $160 shipped. it's well worth the money to me, especially since knowing that cusco is an awesome japanese company that does amazing suspension and handling work on the best cars in the grand prix and gt circuits in japan.

Great write-up! Always wondered what effect a piece like this would have on the handling. Do you have the rear sway bar also? Might have ta git me one o' those!

no actually i do not have a rear sway bar (i would really like to get a TRD one if anyone has a good hookup for those).

i do have the dealer hotchkis front strut bar though, so that definitely helps in the stiffness.

So you have the Cusco underneath and the hotchkis up top? Are both necessary? Do they do the same thing, or help seperate ascpects of the handling?

1. Yes, I have the Cusco brace underneath, and the Hotckis is in the engine bay.
2. They are not both necessary. It all depends on what money on what parts you want to spend and what aspects of your car you want to focus on. I personally feel that handling and suspension is more important than power. You can most times have a lot more fun with better suspension/handling than you can have with more power.
3.. They both help tighten up the handling and firm up body roll and twist. They tighten up the handling on different areas of the car but have the same idea and principle in their function. so, if you want your front stiffened up, get a front strut bar. if you want the middle to stiffen up a bit, get the frame brace. if you want the rear to stiffen up and help read traction, get a rear sway bar or rear strut bar. these pieces are designed to work in harmony, so having a complete set of braces from the front to the rear of the car will be optimal in stiffening up the chassis and firming up the handling.

Where did you get the brace from?

Thanks in advance.

JSCSpeed

Please read the whole post next time, especially the first couple lines :P

My Bad

Nice watermelon. That thing looks sweet.

hi, i cant seem to loosen the bolt, i use 1/2 breaker bar but no luck, is it turn counter clock wise?

yeah just keep trying. counter-clockwise is correct.
Try some WD40 or grease to soak and hopefully loosen it up.
Or use a ridiculously long bar and it should come loose easy.

Let me know if that works.

does this replace a RSB or is it any better?

nope. this is right between the front wheels. it replaces two dinky OEM side bars. it does help to reduce body roll and gives a bit better steering response. RSB is a completely different piece.

nope, i used 1/2 drive breaker bar 14mm socket, the bolt is starting to strip, the bar can move but the bolt stay. wd-40 dont work on that one

huh ... i don't know what to tell you. have someone with more car mechanics knowledge take a look at it ? i'm not too savvy at loosening bolts and such.