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Underbody braces, turbos and more!

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PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:26 pm 
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Location: Guelph, Ontario
Okay. I bought this thing like 6 months ago and only recently got around to installing it. Install was a breaze. careful you dont break the bolts pulling them out though. When i removed mine and looked at them, they were ready to go any day. they were so corroded where the threads werent touching, looked like someone took a bite out of them sideways. no matter, jess provides longer bolts with it anyways. So yeah, like i said, install was super easy. I run a stock exhaust, but i can see just by the huge amount of clearance still there, there would be no interferance with any exhaust as far as i could tell. You'd run into issues with the exhaust hitting the sway bar long before it would hit this brace.

It improved the feel of the car dramatically. I dont have any other braces at the moment, but just after installing this one and taking my car to my favourite road in the area for a spirited drive the effects are obvious. Before, my car would turn in well, but you could always feel it sort of loosen up and would require a little more steering input every time i took this one turn at around 70ish. This time, i went into the turn at 80ish and no such settling of the car was felt. It was tight, confindent and sure footed.

Jess was great to deal with. I pestered him like crazy until i had the brace and he was always polite and helpful. Answering all of my questions quickly and sending the package out just as quickly. I know im a pain in the ass to deal with, but jess didnt tell me to jump in a lake like he should have. lol. Thanks jess for the great product.

I highly recomend this brace. Anyone familiar with these cars knows thats a major week point of the front suspension. The price is up there, but you get what you pay for. Speedy service and a great product. Its worth it for sure.

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PostPosted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:28 am 
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any website where i can view it?


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PostPosted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 2:49 pm 
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Location: Calgary, Alberta
http://www.turbinetech.ca/


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PostPosted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 5:27 pm 
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Location: Richland, WA
Turbine Tech Underbody Brace used together with Front/Rear strut tower braces: Awesome product!!!!!!!!! Shipped really fast and they even called me in Oregon to confirm the fit after the fact!!!!!! The underbody brace instructions are clear and concise. It explained why my own unibody had flexed out by 1/8th of an inch. Just a tug with a come-along and she fit perfect. Highly recommended. See Pics.

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 1:01 pm 
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Posts: 471
Location: Auburn Wa
I too bought a underbody brace from Jess. It wasn't a breeze here because my car had spread a bit between the mounting points. I used a come along to pull it back where it should be. After putting it on I didn't notice anything different until... When I hit the first corner the car handled much better. There is clearly movement of the lower control arms/struts during cornering on these cars (metro convertible).

The thing that concerns me with these cars is all that flexing may cause premature breakage of suspension parts. When metal bends back and fourth alot it will work harden and eventually break. So flex is not good and I highly recommend getting a brace from Jess.

I too had problems getting my parts from Jess. He sent it the first day after I paid for it. I waited patiently for about three weeks. I emailed him and he said he sent it so I waited another week. Still no brace. I paid for it using Paypal so my window of filing a dispute was closing. You only have a month to file a dispute. So I did that. A dispute is what I have used to kick other Ebayers in the butt to send the items they didn't send. Jess sent me a copy of the invoice and the postage paperwork. Anyway on the dispute Jess confused me with another customer and there was some confusion as to who I was. I thought he was making stuff up on some of the things he was saying. This was not the case it was just a unfortunate oops on who he was emailing too. As it turns out the US Postal Service held the package at the border for a few weeks (thanks Homeland Security) while they xray'd the box as it was metal and they were probably concerned with bombs or something. If you have ever done Ebay and Paypal alot you will run into flakes and thieves from time to time and I have never had any package take over 4 weeks to get to my house before.

Jess was very friendly and communicative. He sent the package right away. I should have posted my past transaction experience with him here a long time ago. The reason is because he was very professional and did everything he could to make sure I got my package. It was simply out of his control when the package got here. In closing I left positive feedback for Jess and ordered another brace from him a paid him a little extra for the second brace.

PS. The second brace got to my house in a week and a half. Go Figure!

PS. PS. I highly recommend dealing with Jess. Buy with confidence and expect the best of customer service. He is top notch!

Jerry

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PostPosted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:19 pm 
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Location: Somersworth, NH
Jess was awesome...he was very quick to respond to emails. I also had a problem with the postal service getting my part...Jess shipped it out either the same day or the next day I ordered it, but it took a while. Other than that, excellent service from Jess, and excellent product.

I was surprised to find it came coated with something black and shiney (I got the steel one). It fit perfectly, and provided you read the instructions (c4boom....) it was an easy install. I was very lucky that my car was still straight despite the missing the entire frame on the driver's side!

Currently the brace is being used in conjuction with a homemade door brace to prevent the car from flexing during reconstruction of the floor and the rocker panels.

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PostPosted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 10:23 pm 
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How come I never seen these feedback before? :huh:

Jerry's saga was the reason to why we now use Express mail only for international shipping. We see customers backing out due to increased shipping fees. Unfortunately, express airmail is the only way to make sure they get the part quickly and also have a valid tracking number handy. Ground shipping will hold packages at the customs 6 times out of 10.

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 3:21 pm 
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Does anyone have pics of it installed on a swift


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PostPosted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 8:45 pm 
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here's the best pic i have. believe me, partner, jardamuth's work is an exercise in elegance. you absolutely will not be disappointed.

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PostPosted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:03 am 
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Hey Rich - how come you didn't chrome the brace? :lol:

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PostPosted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:22 am 
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Richard that is a work of art! We would love a how to on all the things that you did on ol blue! Bushings, braces, bolts... I really am looking forward to starting on mine, but ... I dont want to do things three times. It looks like you have done this before!

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PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 3:52 pm 
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the white twincam vert got all the love. :D

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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 4:47 pm 
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I installed the braces on both of my Swift GTs... The are awesome! A recommended upgrade! It will give you a sharper steering specially at mid-turn as you start to accelerate...

And Jess Tremblay is easy to deal with.

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PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 1:13 pm 
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Location: atlanta, georgia
I just installed my underbody brace. Not really any drama installing it. i have a 18 year old southern car, so no rust :D :D

The overall feel of the car is greatly improved. At high speeds the car is more stable and as others have noted the steering turn in and response is awesome.
This is the only brace at the moment. Other suspension mods are, H&R springs, KYB struts and 14x6 RIAL wheels +34, with 185/60/14 tires

Highly suggest using this brace. :P

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PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2010 8:34 am 
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I got one too, had it for over a year before mounting it. It's a huge difference. Response is instant, but no sign of getting nervous. Long bends, short corners, doesn't matter, the car goes exactly where I tell it to go. Good girl =) Top product!


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'95 Swift 1.0:

- 0,5mm oversized pistons
- mildly ported head, 1,7mm taken off
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- 222/365 3tech cam
- +10 gear
- K&N air filter
- TBI bridge removed
- 40mm throttle and intake manifold
- srd underdrive pulley
- AASCO 3kg flywheel with GTi clutch
- GTi catback
- deleted cat, now 2" ss pipe
- 14x6J ET45 BSA Racing
- Nankang AS-1 165/55-14
- 35mm lower Apex front and rear springs
- GTi sway bar
- Turbinetech underbody brace
- Ultra Racing upper strut bar

0-100kph: unknown seconds


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PostPosted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:37 pm 
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I was wondering if anyone had any experience installing turbinetechs underbody brace on the mk5's. I have a 98 hatch 3cyl manual and know that some of the later model require modification to the exhaust. Right now my downpipe is in need of rerplacement and I was debating on whether i should fix the downpipe and then install the brace or install the brace and then fab the exhaust around the brace. My other question and just looking for opinions on the subject, but would fabbing my own underbody brace be better than buying a bolt on. I know buying the bolt on would put the A arms at the right legnth away from eachother vs just fabbing one using the current measurements on the car.....?

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 12:27 pm 
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The factory manifold/cat should clear, it will be close fit.

If you buy that piece of shit from SRD, well, as long as you weld pipe right onto it you should be fine. If you want to use a Cat, you'll have to decide underbody brace or Cat. As well the SRD exhaust will run straight into the front sway bar. :roll:

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B. Berry: '90 Chevrolet Turbo Sprint 1.0L 6v SOHC 5sp+ "Mk2" Made in Japan

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 8:33 pm 
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I found that most jobber exhaust have the downpipe too long. cutting and reflaring the manifold end of the downpipe should take care of clearance issues with the brace. if you can fab the exhaust yourself, do it with the brace on the car.

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 3:14 pm 
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turbohull wrote:
I found that most jobber exhaust have the downpipe too long. cutting and reflaring the manifold end of the downpipe should take care of clearance issues with the brace. if you can fab the exhaust yourself, do it with the brace on the car.


I am installing the brace before getting the exhaust done this time around... :lol:

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J. McBean: '98 Suzuki Swift 1.3L 16v SOHC 5sp+ "Mk5" Made in Canada
The Mini Rattler: '94 Suzuki Swift .993L 6v SOHC 5sp+ "Mk3" Made in Canada *The Winter Beater*
B. Berry: '90 Chevrolet Turbo Sprint 1.0L 6v SOHC 5sp+ "Mk2" Made in Japan

I got 18MPG in a 3cyl with a 5 speed manual 4dr, '93 Metro! :yeahyeah


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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 3:11 pm 
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Just installed my brace and rear sway bar on the vert today and will have to do some modification to the exhaust as the cat just barely clears the brace and bangs oh so gently when the car is at idle. I think it'll drive me nuts in the long run so I'll have to modify the exhaust.


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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:01 pm 
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czechbook wrote:
Just installed my brace and rear sway bar on the vert today and will have to do some modification to the exhaust as the cat just barely clears the brace and bangs oh so gently when the car is at idle. I think it'll drive me nuts in the long run so I'll have to modify the exhaust.

Yep. I'll agree.
The stick shift cars we put it on clear nicely, but the automatic with the catalytic converter is a little close:
Image
In our case, you can hear a little vibration in reverse.
Next time we replace the cat, the situation will be solved.
Otherwise, it does handle a bit better.
The freeways here have rain grooves, compliments of the engineers that they hired from back East.
(Originally, there were no such grooves as it rains little here in the Southwest.)
I notice a big improvement in the cars ability to avoid wandering when changing lanes and it doesn't get caught in the grooves as easily.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:05 pm 
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will this brace fit my 85 mk1?
im very interested since i want to improve the stability
thanks

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PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 3:23 pm 
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Phil N Ed wrote:
czechbook wrote:
Just installed my brace and rear sway bar on the vert today and will have to do some modification to the exhaust as the cat just barely clears the brace and bangs oh so gently when the car is at idle. I think it'll drive me nuts in the long run so I'll have to modify the exhaust.

Yep. I'll agree.
The stick shift cars we put it on clear nicely, but the automatic with the catalytic converter is a little close:


You can remove the lower section of the heatshield. This will allow just the right clearance for the brace to avoid hitting the cat. :wink:


paposwinger wrote:
will this brace fit my 85 mk1?
im very interested since i want to improve the stability
thanks


Unfortunately not.

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:29 am 
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98 Chevy metro hatch 1.0 with 5 speed trans. I bought mine on ebay with free shipping. I was told after the sale with the clear listing of "free" postal cost that I in fact had to pay shipping. After being pissed for a minute I coughed up the extra money cause under body braces are unavailable anywhere else. I got it in the mail fairly fast for being from canada. Went on in less than a half hour once the car was properly jacked up. To my surprise I didn't have to pull the arms together. The cat did ping against it, which was remedied with slight bends in the exhaust hangers. No fear of hauling ass round corners or flying 85 down the highway on 13" tires. It helped having a rear brace, poly on the swaybars, and new tires. Definitely worth the extra shipping that I didn't think I had to pay.

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:24 am 
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Location: Palm Springs: Too hot from June to Oct.!
I was curious to know if the brace would interfere with the oil changes.
Our first oil change since installing the brace has this result:
...happy to report that the brace is well out of the way of the engine oil as it drains, so no worries there.
(Apologies if this is covered in a thread above.)
:oops: :oops: :oops:

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DIY Wheel Align: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42479
Once you get the cars dialed-in (compression, leaks, bearings, alignment, brakes) swap in new rubber and glass, you've got something which should last for years!


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