Halo brace?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MO
Halo brace?
Mid-America, and maybe Eckler's and some of the other 'Vette suppliers, sells a cross-bar type brace which installs in the halo of C4 coupes and which is supposedly to greatly help prevent chassis flex, twisting, etc. I am thinking about one of these for my '89 coupe, because I want to start driving it some with the roof panel removed. When I've done this before, the additional flex and torsional twist was noticeable, especially on curvy or bumpy roads, and in theory the cross bar would seem to help reduce this.
Has anyone installed one of these cross bars, and if so, do you think it would help reinforce the car for driving with the roof panel removed? I'm hesitant to be the guinea pig here because Mid-America's price for one is about $350.
Thanks for any info.
Has anyone installed one of these cross bars, and if so, do you think it would help reinforce the car for driving with the roof panel removed? I'm hesitant to be the guinea pig here because Mid-America's price for one is about $350.
Thanks for any info.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
Originally Posted by gregcm
Mid-America, and maybe Eckler's and some of the other 'Vette suppliers, sells a cross-bar type brace which installs in the halo of C4 coupes and which is supposedly to greatly help prevent chassis flex, twisting, etc. I am thinking about one of these for my '89 coupe, because I want to start driving it some with the roof panel removed. When I've done this before, the additional flex and torsional twist was noticeable, especially on curvy or bumpy roads, and in theory the cross bar would seem to help reduce this.
Has anyone installed one of these cross bars, and if so, do you think it would help reinforce the car for driving with the roof panel removed? I'm hesitant to be the guinea pig here because Mid-America's price for one is about $350.
Thanks for any info.
Has anyone installed one of these cross bars, and if so, do you think it would help reinforce the car for driving with the roof panel removed? I'm hesitant to be the guinea pig here because Mid-America's price for one is about $350.
Thanks for any info.
If you have any questions whatsoever about R-D Racing's reputation or their customer service, simply do a search - you'll find their reputation to be outstanding, and their products to be held in the highest regard. I have R-D's Camber Brace, and can't imagine Corvette life without it!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Which one are you asking about, theyre all made by R-D that are in that catalog.
Targa Truss goes in with the top off, Cross-bar goes behind your seats, X-brace goes under the car, and the Camber Brace goes between the motor and the radiator.
Any one of them is a help
Targa Truss goes in with the top off, Cross-bar goes behind your seats, X-brace goes under the car, and the Camber Brace goes between the motor and the radiator.
Any one of them is a help
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Hampton, VA Yea, i'm a redneck... but you love it
Cruise-In 8-9 Veteran
aka/Trunk Monkey/Banned For Life/Corvette For Life
Originally Posted by froggy47
Get you about 1/2 way to the c5 stiffness.
, its funny because its true
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MO
Thanks for the thoughts everybody. You've got me seriously considering the X-brace from R-D Racing which mounts underneath the car. Seems like that might help with overall chassis flex more than the cross-bar behind the seats.
I considered the Targa Truss but it ruins the clean lines when the roof is out, plus I don't want to have to bolt it/unbolt it every time I go topless.
I considered the Targa Truss but it ruins the clean lines when the roof is out, plus I don't want to have to bolt it/unbolt it every time I go topless.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 195
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From: Canyon Country CA
The cross brace is not as effective as either the cross-bar behind the seats or the targa truss. The reinforcment provided by the latter two options is applied much further away from the basic frame and thus increases the section properties more. Not to say it wouldn't be enough for your needs, it's just less than the other two. The folks @ RD can probably explain the relative effectivity of each option.
Joe
Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 149
From: North Carolina
I too have the cross-frame, the cross-bar and the camber brace and while they do improve the stiffness of the frame considerably, there is still a very noticeable cowl shake on anything but the smoothest roads with the roof out.
There are actually two versions of the support brace you are referring to. R&D's targa truss is one version and there is another called the AFSB (anti-flex support bar) that is sold through another vendor. A quick google search should yield you the place to purchase it. I went with the AFSB simply because I think it looks better, but my guess is functionally they work the same. It was supposed to be shipped out today, so I obviously can't give an opinion on its effectiveness yet -- but the general concensus from those that have used either version is they make a big improvement.
The advantage to both is that the support structure is actually stiffer than the roof panel and for those of us who are a bit tall (I'm 6'4") it gives us some room for a helmet on track days while actually improving chassis stiffness. -- The AFSB is a bit more expensive though....
There are actually two versions of the support brace you are referring to. R&D's targa truss is one version and there is another called the AFSB (anti-flex support bar) that is sold through another vendor. A quick google search should yield you the place to purchase it. I went with the AFSB simply because I think it looks better, but my guess is functionally they work the same. It was supposed to be shipped out today, so I obviously can't give an opinion on its effectiveness yet -- but the general concensus from those that have used either version is they make a big improvement.
The advantage to both is that the support structure is actually stiffer than the roof panel and for those of us who are a bit tall (I'm 6'4") it gives us some room for a helmet on track days while actually improving chassis stiffness. -- The AFSB is a bit more expensive though....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,472
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From: Toronto ONTARIO
Ive never even heard of that piece until now. I agree it is much nicer that it is a round bar instead of the square one r-d has. I wish these could stay in place with the roof on then i would buy one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 149
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by DieL
Ive never even heard of that piece until now. I agree it is much nicer that it is a round bar instead of the square one r-d has. I wish these could stay in place with the roof on then i would buy one.
Elite Torch Red Member
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I have the R-D Crossbar in one and the EM in the other. I sue them as camera mounts. I nevber take my roof off that much anyway.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 35
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From: Columbia MO
Originally Posted by ccford
The cross brace is not as effective as either the cross-bar behind the seats or the targa truss. The reinforcment provided by the latter two options is applied much further away from the basic frame and thus increases the section properties more. Not to say it wouldn't be enough for your needs, it's just less than the other two. The folks @ RD can probably explain the relative effectivity of each option.
Joe
Joe
Team Owner
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From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by Gary96LT4
Add all three and the S/T Frame Support instead of the Cross-Bar and really inprove the handling.
You will have ground clearance issues with the x-brace, and interior issues with the S&T frame support especially if you are tall like me.
I'd recommend them all but they all have some drawbacks you need to think of b-4 purchasing.
