Fitment of Yarrowsport Rear stress brace to a Bora

[Dyldo]

I am at work and don't have the link on me right now, but the Yarrow fitment guide for the Mk4 chassis is fine for hatches but doesn't work or make sense for a sedan owner.

Having recently bought a Yarrow for my Bora 4Mo I quickly realised it will be a PITA and perhaps require some drilling or chassis modification to fit. But before I hack something up I've asked Gruven and Yarrow to work on a fitment guide for th Bora 4Mo. I'm told they're putting it together.

If there's any Bora owners that have fitted thr Yarrow I'd love to know how it went for you (the install) and possibly see pics?

[Rybky]

OK, question, I can understand the need for a stress brace on a hatch as there is nothing solid between the strut tops and therefore there will be an element of flex but on a Bora the rear shelf is a metal brace across the car above the wheels anyway, so what is a stress brace going to do here?

Adam

[Dyldo]

true, someone said that, but the yarrow is a massive bit of kit and can only serve to strengthen the rear chassis. that parcel shelf metal is thin too.

Manaz and a few others have the UNIbrace, which is a step up again from the Yarrow. Clearly they work.

[Rybky]

Hmmm, I would be very surprised if that shelf was flexing, yes it is thin but it is not flat either, so it will have a fair bit of horizontal strength.

I know the way to prove the flex on a hatch is to open the hatch then drive one rear wheel up on a high curb, then try and shut the hatch, on an unbraced car the hatch probably won't close. Might try that on the Bora one day for a giggle.

Adam

[Dyldo]

can't test that with a sedan though

[Rybky]

can't test that with a sedan though

You can, open the boot instead. If there is any body flex, which is what a brace is designed to reduce/eliminate, then it will show in the boot alignment.

If that test shows no flex then I would say that a brace is unnecessary.

Adam

[WhO]

That idea has me intrigued, back in a minute...

[WhO]

Ok so tried it with the bora simulating a pretty decent curb on the rear left and it made no notable difference. Rear doors open and shut as per normal as did the boot. Panel gaps seemed pretty normal too.

Pic: http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...6/IMG_0047.jpg

I do remember when i had a Pulsar GTI-R when that used to have one corner raised the boot would close but it'd scrape as you went to close it, same with the doors whislt when on flat ground all would be fine.

[Rybky]

Ok so tried it with the bora simulating a pretty decent curb on the rear left and it made no notable difference. Rear doors open and shut as per normal as did the boot. Panel gaps seemed pretty normal too.

Pic: http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...6/IMG_0047.jpg

I do remember when i had a Pulsar GTI-R when that used to have one corner raised the boot would close but it'd scrape as you went to close it, same with the doors whislt when on flat ground all would be fine.

Kind of what I expected, the Bora is a pretty solid shell. So it does beg the question, what will a brace do for a Bora? I think very little.

Adam

[BI65ND]

Anybody actually got an answer for dyl? It may not be as noticeable in a sedan, but it can only be an improvement over stock. I've seen a pic of a jettta in the us with both the yarrow and the unibrace, ill see if I can find it

[Dyldo]

I think Manaz has a TST Unibrace in his Bora, and its about 3 times as expensive as a Yarrow and he ain't a dumb dude so I've assumed they do add rigidity to the chassis.

[Rybky]

I think Manaz has a TST Unibrace in his Bora, and its about 3 times as expensive as a Yarrow and he ain't a dumb dude so I've assumed they do add rigidity to the chassis.

Wasn't doubting anyone's IQ! Certainly not Rob's.

I personally like to get tangible gains from money and effort I spend on a car, so given your OP suggests this is going to take a lot of effort and customisation to fit, I just wanted to throw out there whether there was enough benefit to justify it.

I am happy to be proved wrong and shown that a brace has a significant impact on the handling of a Bora.

Adam

[Dyldo]

he's a mad dude the old Rob (not so old).

I am doing a full refresh of every damn bushing, bearing and rubber bit that could (or as already) perished, plus fitting Weitec shock/springs, and am expecting major handling improvements regardless. Was going to try and fit the Yarrow after that to gauge the benefit.

I added a front strut top brace in my 03 WRX only to later learn it was engine bay bling only as the strut towers were rigid enough not to move or flex - earlier models benefitted though. Maybe this is the same?

[Rybky]

Definitely a good idea to do it in stages. I have just had the ECS Stage 2 refresh kit plus Bilstein heavy duty shocks fitted and the ride and handling improvement is amazing, very happy with the result.

I think braces on front and rear are very different, the front strut mounts are very high so leverage is different compared to the rears which are very low on the Bora. I will certainly be interested to know if you do feel any difference having the rear brace on.

The biggest improvement my car could get now is a 6 speed gearbox!!! It is crying out for it, the 5sp ratios are shocking.

Adam

[Dyldo]

i'll have to give the Refresh and the Weitecs a chance to settle, and a chance for me to get used to them. Then I can add the brace and see.