Steel vs aluminium strut brace

[clicht]

Hi,

Before placing any orders, I thought I would open this up and ask you what you prefer / what is beter ad why -- Steel or Alumiium strut brace).

Thanks

[VWindahouse]

Hey mate, the only difference is weight and strength. The steel option is A LOT heavier as it's a bigger brace than the Forge.

[clicht]

did you go for the red steel / aluminium

[VWindahouse]

I went steel in the end like my lower brace from them.

[kaanage]

Another thread on this http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...ium-68364.html

[Buller_Scott]

are the strut towers close enough to the firewall (chassis) such that technically, front strut tower bars dont serve any real purpose other than a cosmetic one?

[kaanage]

That's the opinion of my mechanic. He reckons that torsional flex is the big issue with our (and most) cars.

[Buller_Scott]

That's the opinion of my mechanic. He reckons that torsional flex is the big issue with our (and most) cars.

i had suspected as much.....

placebo! gotta love it. thank god i've removed the placebo mods from my car (apart from the detailing, which has me believe that the slicker you make your paintwork, the faster it slips through the air on a spirited run)

[clicht]

And isn't white a faster colour as well !!!!

[VWindahouse]

I agree and disagree with the placebo comments lads. The strut brace was the very first suspension mod I did on the polo. And there was a noticeable difference in steering feedback. Turn in was more apparent and the car felt more stable and solid on take off. Can't remember if it helped traction at all sorry.

Recently I sold the Forge brace to make way for the new one and can say with all the other suspension mods that have gone on since then ie. coilovers, front sway bar, lower bar, control arm bushed etc. the only difference I have noticed is the passenger side front wheel is less reluctant to break traction under hard acceleration but there is more torque steer.

So seeing as though you lads both have diesels (please correct me if I'm wrong) I really don't think it's a fair comparison to make with us petrol boys. And not being an expert and probably never going to have the extensive database of knowledge kaanage has, but maybe the way the power is delivered between our cars really dictates the benefit v's placebo comments.

And once and for all "RED IS THE FASTEST COLOUR". Google fact

[jasonc23]

The strut brace was the very first suspension mod I did on the polo. And there was a noticeable difference in steering feedback. Turn in was more apparent and the car felt more stable and solid on take off.

+1! Would have to say I felt definite improvement in steering response and feedback.

[noone]

One of the few mods I did on its own. With an old config it reduced the tendency of the inner wheel to slip when powering out of a corner. That was with H&R springs, stock FSB and shocks.

[nikanasz]

for me, i felt the difference because the strut bar ties the top struts together. more rigidity there, less flexing, better feel

[seangti]

so the "improved feel" argument seems agreed on. Whether it transfers to improved corner speed, g-force or laps times is anyones guess. IMO, anything that improves feel is a good thing due to increased ability to find that narrow edge.

[clicht]

just s got a reply from orange...they ship for 30euro, and the struts are also very good price . i did some further research, and it seems as though most people recommend a steel bar. it may weigh more, but is far stiffer, unless the aluminium is thicker, but then you start to decrease the weight advantage..
Thanks VWindahouse forleting me know abot orange....Although I do need to correct you -- white is lighter than red (there i no red in white, therfore white is faster hahahahahaha .