I'm looking at stiffening up the roll a bit with a few struts / braces. Any recommendations as to which locations, such as the front strut or rear lower brace? What about brand? Any downsides?
This UK company has recently posted a load of braces for the Copen. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ultra-Rac...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item461721d148 Cheaper then trying import any other brand from Japan.
What purpose do these braces serve? Is it basically to minimise the car from tilting to one side when driving round a bend? I can see how the undercarriage braces would help but how does the engine one help? The only downside I imagine are the extra insurance cost from the modification.
The front one, basically, acts like a second wishbone. For me, at least, the insurance cost is virtually non-existant - adding a custom suspension would shoot up the insurance, but that's about it.
No, the car will not roll less in a bend. They stop the forces acting through the suspension being transmitted to the body of the car which will then flex the absorb the residue energy the suspension did not take up. The idea is to stop this flex and make the spring have to take it all. The suspension then actually travels further over its travel range than it does with out bracing. They are used for if you are racing and wanting extract the last bit of performance. Give some improved steering response/feel. They won't be of any real use for everyday tootling about besides you having to lug big tubes of steel around with you or to just look nice/sporty. The car will be heavier which will mean slower and we know the last thing the turbo copen needs is to be slower. I'd say with the suspension having to work more you may need to upgrade the suspension as well but if you was racing you'd be doing that anyway. On a car with soft suspension, making it use the suspension more might make it more like a boat bobbing on the water if the flex of the body is stiffer. If the Copen suspension is stiffer then if could make the ride a little more harsh. I find I get banged around in my car enough to want it any stiffer.
THIS! This is what I want to find out - will the ride be harsher, with more vibration and suspension play?
I've been a bit cheeky, and posted about this on Stack Exchange In short, I'm wondering which of the non-upper strut bar to buy. I'm also wondering if I should save the money from not buying the upper strutbar, and instead spend it on a better back bar
In late answer to your question. I don't think the ride will be harsher, unless you put them everywhere which might stiffen things up so much it transfers vibrations through to you (and your dodgy spine ) as there is less take up in twisting of the body. The suspension will be the same so vibration passing the shocks/springs should be about the same.
My spine is already bad! I'm talking about all the bars apart from the one in the engine. I think the sway bar itself is the best bet, just wondering if anyone has any real world experience on which would be the best for an unmodified suspension, to give the best value for money
Ask Adam, he has an upper front strut bar. Something at the front would help more for steering as it sharpens it up. The small rear might be quite flexible though in comparison to the front.
What's the quality like of the Ultra Braces? I've been tempted to get the set for the Saab but no one seems to run them
I've heard good things, Crystal. I'm based in Ireland, but the only decent vendor wrt price looks to be the UK based http://cre8autoworx.co.uk/ . I think I'm going to go for the sway bar, as opposed to the strut bar or any of the tie bars, unless someone can give me advice to the contrary.
I have the D Sport front strut fitted, honestly I didn't really notice much of a difference. Maybe I just don't go around round about fast enough? It does look nice though. http://www.dsport-web.com/copen/60.html I also have the D Sport rear sway bar (same as the rear Sway Bar UR-AR19-381 from Ultra Racing). Absolutley no difference. http://www.dsport-web.com/copen/17_b.html I spoke to Scooty at the KKITP two years back about bracing. He said the best improvement he noticed was with one of these: Tanabe Sustec UBD5 under brace http://minkara.carview.co.jp/smart/...00/003/543/823/3543823/p1.jpg?ct=492905c1211b So I would go with the Ultra Racing 4-Point Front H-Brace (UR-LA4-1667)' or try to get a Tanabe, I have seen one on eBay before.
Absolutely agree with Adam, the most noticeable one is the Tanabe Sustec UBD5 under brace. It really is doing a perfect job. Photo by fjutsha@forum.micro-roadster.de Don't know anyone yet with the Ultra Racing 4-Point Front H-Brace (UR-LA4-1667). But could be worth a try. Andreas
I'm not surprised if you don't notice much Adam as for one the Copen is low and doesn't roll much anyway. Also, as its a narrow car it may be less prone to twisting up and down than if it had been wider like most cars. Plus unless you drive it quite hard, turns and bends, then what it gives is not being taken advantage of. That is, it doesn't do much when driving straight.
