wow! nice work.

looking forward to your design - you sure have got a lot of feedback

 

Are you planning on doing objective testing for a torsional improvement or just a subjective one in that in your opinion it drives better.

 

X2!!

I'd be willing to help w/the objective testing...I think I mentioned this before in an email.

 

Will this thing be made to fit the early cars as well?

 

Plan is to make the design fit 84-96. I worked a while on attachment methods to keep it universal and simple for the average weekend project.

Tom,
Interested in what you have to offer as far as objective testing. My initial thoughts are actual frame deflection with and without. Then a driving test, which will be very subjective. My car is right at 560hp, so I am not sure how applicable the results will be for everyone else.
Thanks,
Brandon
www.riceperformanceproducts.com

For those interested, we are still working on:
DOT HIDs for the C4 headlights and pending C5 headlights.
C5 Fixed Position headlights.
C4 Battery relocation.
C4 Camber brace.

Other parts for my personal car.

 

Just in case you folks have not seen the Vette2Vette pieces installed then here are some pics. The first are on my 91. The rest of them are on Forum member =JEFF='s 90 ZR-1.
Extremely eazy to install as the front brackets bolt to holes that are already threaded for the convertible X braces in all 86-96 C4s (evidently some early 86 cars were not drilled for the X brace though).
The rear bracket bolts through the dog bone. The rod that connects both braces is internally threaded (one left hand and the other right hand). The Heim joints which are screwed into these threads and bolted through the brackets and dog bones are tightened by using a wrench placed on a nut that is welded onto the pipe. This pulls the front and rear of the car toward each other. Note that the prototype on =JEFF='s car did not have this nut and had to be tightened with a pipe wrench.
My testing is only subjective but here it is: In order to get to the interstate from my home I need to cross several sets of railroad tracks which are near to each other near the local flour mill. Before the frame braces were installed I could only cross these tracks (with targa off) at a walk.
This is with a 107,000 mile FX3 coupe with the system set all the way "soft". To go much faster is just stupid as this will almost knock your teeth out. With the frame braces installed and the targa off and with the FX3 setting on low I can cross these tracks at the 25 mph speed limit with comfort.
Again - another subjective test: I live in a farming community which was a gathering place for many native Americans in years past as the Flat River and the Grand River meet here (Lowell, Michigan). Many of the roads around here were built over the original twisty game and native American travel routes. The roads are VERY twisty to follow the trails that wound around hills to take advantages of the easiest route to the rivers. Before the frame braces I could drive these now-paved 2 lane roads with the FX3 cranked to the highest settings and have a ball, even with the targa roof removed. NOW - with the frame braces installed, targa roof off and FX3 on max I can still do this. BUT I find I have to let off the gas more and do more braking as I come over hills and around blind curves because I am going faster than before. I am more afraid of coming upon a tractor pulling a load of hay or of farmer Brown chugging along slowly in his old Cheby pickemup.
I wish you success in the design and marketing of your product!
Let me be up front here. I recieved a steep discount on this Vette2Vette product due to a verbal agreement with the owner (Jason Francis) to write and submit an article to Corvette Enthusiast magazine. I did this and it was published in Auto Enthusiast magazine after the individual "enthusiast" magazines were merged under the new banner. I do not get a discount on anything I buy from Vette2Vette and I recieve no compensation from any of their sales. Jason and I are simply friends.



Typical twisty road around my home town:

 

Really!! The frame tensioners seem as good as the vortex fan mileage booster. Then we can get one of those 50 HP pulley kits.

Yes, I have seen this design. I have also seen the x-brace design and the convertible x-brace. The convertible x-brace is a good design. My intent is to make the best universal design.

If I wanted to name the tension design, I would call it $100 since I could produce it for less. I don't like gimmicks and will work to produce only quality products. In the process of designing products, I have gone through plenty of test subjects that I will not sell. One example is the HID system we are testing. It passed 95% of the photometric testing. We will keep improving until it is 100% compliant.

For the frame brace, we will work towards a quality product under $500 and under$400 if feasible. This is almost like comparing our projectors to Depo. Words like that won't get you any discounts. Take the ill conceived marketing elsewhere. I could easily target customers interested in this poor product at a better price.

 

My garage has lugs in the floor for bolts. I have a dynomometer (strain gauge). I am also trying to buy a bare frame for another project. I'd measure the lbs/degree in torsion with the gauge and the frame bolted down. Then install the brace...measure again.

 

amazing i hope this happens.

I know you have had some strong opinions about what can/cant be improved on the c4.

 

Definitely interested in the testing assistance. I should have a projected date for the test units in the next month.
Thanks,
Brandon

 

The prototype is ready now. It ships today so I should have it early next week. I anticipate a few welds and adjustments to get the ideal fit. Then I can modify the design to make the initial test run. You will notice that the center has two connection designs. The intent is to make a over exhaust and under exhaust option. I have a full 3 inch system, so I need the over exhaust design. Stock or smaller exhaust should be able to use the under exhaust design. Once I establish how much room I have, I will add reinforcement to the center attachment.



Thanks,
Brandon
rppcorvette2@gmail.com
www.riceperformanceproducts.com

 

Received shipment notification for my prototype today. Tipped the scales at only 17 lbs with the extra parts for testing. I can't wait to test it out. Here is the updated picture.


Thanks,
Brandon
www.riceperformanceproducts.com
rppcorvette2@gmail.com

 

How thick is the 3 center braces

 

The center pieces shown are just for prototype fitment. The final design will be much thicker, .5 - .75 inches thick. I expect to keep the final weight under 25 lbs.

Thanks,

Brandon
rppcorvette2@gmail.com
www.riceperformanceproducts.com

 

That looks fantastic !! If you will make one for 'over' exhaust (assuming that is tucked to the floor so i can remove my 3" system without removing the brace) I am 100%. Let me know if you would like a deposit

Just curious.. does this utilize the mounting points for the other front to back setup as pictured above? Im interested in running both. ill also be making a custom chromemoly cage inside the car and under the hood.

 

Just received the prototype. I should be able to test fit this weekend. This design uses the front factory brace points. I am working on an alternative for years that don't have the mounting location.
Thanks,
Brandon

 

 

I test fit the frame brace this weekend. Overall fit was good. I need to make slight adjustments on a couple mounting points. My big issue is still the center section. My exhaust is a full 3in and hangs down 1.5 inches in the center. Even a .5 inch center would reduce ground clearance by a total of 2 inches. I tried between the C-brace and exhaust, but that area only has about .5 inches of clearance. I can go above the C-brace, but then I am making a much larger loop that increases strength requirements. My preference is to go under the exhaust and increase the options for where to attach the center section.

I have not asked my manufacturer yet, but I can probably develop a low clearance x-pipe center section in 2.5-3 inch option. It would require a exhaust shop (welding), but it would keep the exhaust flush with the bottom. The brace is only an inch thick.

Thanks,
Brandon
www.riceperformanceproducts.com
rppcorvette2@gmail.com

 

Would be cool if you could make a center resonator w X, that would not hang down. I have a Magnaflow, but hangs down and has been dented badly.

 

If you have a full cage you certainly don't need an under-car brace. You'll get exponentially more stiffness from a 6 pt cage than a brace which is attempting to strengthen the chassis in almost the same horizontal plane as the thick frame rails...

However, if you're trying to make minimum weight for a specific class the 17 lbs will be useful there.