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tunnel brace

Old May 20, 2009 | 01:26 AM
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Default tunnel brace

i just wanted to post up that the spohn tunnel brace does fit our convertibles. it isn't an x-brace, but seems to do the trick.

i previously just had bmr's chrome moly welded subframe connectors and a bmr shock tower brace. i then switched the shock tower brace over to spohn's "pre-load adjustable" shock tower brace in chrome moly and added the tunnel brace.

the difference in stiffness is pretty damned noticable. i didn't realize how dramatic it would be. i'm just not entirely certain if its all the tunnel brace or if the shock tower brace is adding more to it.

here's the link to the part.
http://www.spohn.net/shop/1993-1997-...nel-Brace.html

one thing i have to warn about: it does hang really low. i'm lowered about the same as anyone else on here and it scrapes on everything.
if you do a search on spohn tunnel brace, you'll see that its a common complaint. thing is, if it makes this much of a difference in the chassis rigidity, i'll happily put up with it.

has anyone else added a tunnel brace and felt that much of a difference?
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Old May 20, 2009 | 07:48 AM
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That goes where I have the Lakewood driveshaft
loop, which does not project downward much at
all. Would be nice if there was a replacement for
the X-stamping, that was worth a damn and
fit with 3" LT Y-pipes. But that would seriously
scrape, no doubt.

I did feel a difference from removing the X, but
nothing from the tunnel brace (stamped to DSL).
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Old May 21, 2009 | 11:28 AM
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Not to hi-jack the thread
But i just had a set of ARH's and catted y-pipe put in and the X-brace had to come out for fitment issues. Is that considered the tunnel brace for us verts.?And is this what i should replace it with, a after market tunnel brace?
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Old May 21, 2009 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by jimmyblue
That goes where I have the Lakewood driveshaft
loop, which does not project downward much at
all. Would be nice if there was a replacement for
the X-stamping, that was worth a damn and
fit with 3" LT Y-pipes. But that would seriously
scrape, no doubt.

I did feel a difference from removing the X, but
nothing from the tunnel brace (stamped to DSL).
i was looking at the lakewood piece, but just looking at the pictures of it, i didn't get the feeling it would add any rigidity to the chassis.
so you're saying it feels just the same as if you had no x brace?

Originally Posted by dondb
Not to hi-jack the thread
But i just had a set of ARH's and catted y-pipe put in and the X-brace had to come out for fitment issues. Is that considered the tunnel brace for us verts.?And is this what i should replace it with, a after market tunnel brace?
yeah that is it. it doesn't seem like its such a solid piece, but i'm thinking its worthwhile to replace it with something if it has to go. if you're lowered, i'd recommend something that doesn't need as much ground clearance as the spohn brace... unless you like seeing sparks coming out from under you car.
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Old May 21, 2009 | 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by BobDoLe
i was looking at the lakewood piece, but just looking at the pictures of it, i didn't get the feeling it would add any rigidity to the chassis.
so you're saying it feels just the same as if you had no x brace?



yeah that is it. it doesn't seem like its such a solid piece, but i'm thinking its worthwhile to replace it with something if it has to go. if you're lowered, i'd recommend something that doesn't need as much ground clearance as the spohn brace... unless you like seeing sparks coming out from under you car.
LOL...Sparks are good! I'm lowered just 3/4" in the front and 1/2" in rear, i installed Koni's in the front lower perch w/stock springs and the hose mod in the back. My exact thoughts on the lakewood...i would like to see it a bit more rigid....i think i'm not that low i can go with the Spohn? Although ARH told me the headers should go in without removing the stock x brace??
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Old May 24, 2009 | 03:19 AM
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it sounds like you might be able to use the brace. if i had just about an inch more clearance, i'd probably keep it on.

it got ridiculous though, so i took it off today. there were some nice orange and blue scorch marks from a nice hit it took a few nights ago at about 50mph. its a real solid piece and when i took it off, i felt a noticeable difference.

here's some pictures of it so you can see how low this spohn tunnel brace hangs.



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Old May 26, 2009 | 08:05 AM
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That tunnel brace looks like a little over kill for the LTH clearance? Looks like a lot of clearance between the brace and the pipe? I would think someone makes a better fitting brace for LTH's with some rigidity? I'm investigating a brace by Don Goetz....i'll chime in what i find out.
Thanks for the pics!!
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