Transform My Street Driven Fd To A Race Car!
03-17-2004, 11:32 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 51
Hello all,
It's my turn to contribute a little of my experience.
Yep, I've transform my FD to a RACE CAR! Well, actually the car just gives a feeling of race car to me. I got solid motor mount, diff brace from Dragon. I took tran brace of off FD3Boost when he was selling it a while back. The tran brace was made by Dragon as well.
Took em to install at the same time at a local shop yesterday. Take em about an hour to do the job, the mech said. But, in my case, it took about 2-2.5 hours cuz the dude didn't try to put back the peices that were there at tran and diff back. Until later when he was trying to put a plate under the tran back on and it wouldn't have anywhere to hook up to. So, it seemed like he had to put that one brace (stock) back on there to get the tran matel plate back on. So, he tried the diff first as the diff also has one brace like that. It went in w/ a about 1/4 of nuts into the car.(the rest of the lenght of those nuts were used on all the braces). So, I think I might have to go find longer nuts.
The stock tran brace wouldn't fit! The shape of it would interfere w/ the Dragon's brace...so, he left it off. Now, we zip-tied the rear hole of the tran plate to Dragon's brace. I don't mind. Just anything that works.
Here comes. The first splite second I started the car, I got the strange shake and noise that I've never ever experience before. I was like 'what da heck is wrong w/ the car'. Then, the engine started. I then knew 'Oh, those are because of the new parts.'
Oh boy, let me tell ya. The car is now SHAKING like horny ****! I then realize what I've read about those product esp. tran brace. I think 'Huh...there's nothing wrong, I think.' So, I let the engine worm up and went off my way.
A few seconds, I notice a lot LOUDER noise from exhaust! Yeah, I know. It SHOULD not be an issue because those parts are not connect or related to the exhaust. But, let me tell you, it's DEF. much louder!!!!
Here come performace test. I was the first at red light, so I went for the 1st gear rum. Took off normally as usual and floor it. Result? The rear end was more stable! I still got the rear-pass side coming out...not as much as before...but, it feels different? Yeah, it feels like it's more snapping. I mean my rear used to come out sooner, but less aggressive and more linear. But, it's too soon to see any much result on this because I only drove it back home. and, not started the car since.
My exp: the car now is FAR from streetable! All the shake and added noise are killing me. Do I like it? Heck no! So, will I take em off? Heck no! Well, my car ain't daily driver anyway, So for now I'd just stick w/ those trade-off and be happy w/ it. Now, I can really say anything about any of those parts individully does cuz I had them put in the same time. But, if anyone has comments or suggestions, bring on. I'll live w/ race car feel of my FD for now.
POM HB
It's my turn to contribute a little of my experience.
Yep, I've transform my FD to a RACE CAR! Well, actually the car just gives a feeling of race car to me. I got solid motor mount, diff brace from Dragon. I took tran brace of off FD3Boost when he was selling it a while back. The tran brace was made by Dragon as well.
Took em to install at the same time at a local shop yesterday. Take em about an hour to do the job, the mech said. But, in my case, it took about 2-2.5 hours cuz the dude didn't try to put back the peices that were there at tran and diff back. Until later when he was trying to put a plate under the tran back on and it wouldn't have anywhere to hook up to. So, it seemed like he had to put that one brace (stock) back on there to get the tran matel plate back on. So, he tried the diff first as the diff also has one brace like that. It went in w/ a about 1/4 of nuts into the car.(the rest of the lenght of those nuts were used on all the braces). So, I think I might have to go find longer nuts.
The stock tran brace wouldn't fit! The shape of it would interfere w/ the Dragon's brace...so, he left it off. Now, we zip-tied the rear hole of the tran plate to Dragon's brace. I don't mind. Just anything that works.
Here comes. The first splite second I started the car, I got the strange shake and noise that I've never ever experience before. I was like 'what da heck is wrong w/ the car'. Then, the engine started. I then knew 'Oh, those are because of the new parts.'
Oh boy, let me tell ya. The car is now SHAKING like horny ****! I then realize what I've read about those product esp. tran brace. I think 'Huh...there's nothing wrong, I think.' So, I let the engine worm up and went off my way.
A few seconds, I notice a lot LOUDER noise from exhaust! Yeah, I know. It SHOULD not be an issue because those parts are not connect or related to the exhaust. But, let me tell you, it's DEF. much louder!!!!
Here come performace test. I was the first at red light, so I went for the 1st gear rum. Took off normally as usual and floor it. Result? The rear end was more stable! I still got the rear-pass side coming out...not as much as before...but, it feels different? Yeah, it feels like it's more snapping. I mean my rear used to come out sooner, but less aggressive and more linear. But, it's too soon to see any much result on this because I only drove it back home. and, not started the car since.
My exp: the car now is FAR from streetable! All the shake and added noise are killing me. Do I like it? Heck no! So, will I take em off? Heck no! Well, my car ain't daily driver anyway, So for now I'd just stick w/ those trade-off and be happy w/ it. Now, I can really say anything about any of those parts individully does cuz I had them put in the same time. But, if anyone has comments or suggestions, bring on. I'll live w/ race car feel of my FD for now.
POM HB
03-17-2004, 11:50 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: The Nooga
Posts: 1,101
I had the other diff brace for a while, I traded it for the Dragon diff brace but I haven't installed it yet. I noticed no big change with the diff brace. I have Dragon's tranny brace but I haven't installed it yet. When my engine is done and I get my car back, I'm going to put them on one at a time and see what I like and what I can live with. I needed new motor mounts (new factory's now) before so hopefully that will make a difference too. I'll definately be running the diff brace and pick up a torque brace but the tranny brace is optional until I test it. Mine isn't a daily driver either but some too much vibration is not for me...
03-18-2004, 09:43 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NYC+LI
Posts: 101
Originally Posted by pom hb' date='Mar 17 2004, 09:32 PM
The stock tran brace wouldn't fit! The shape of it would interfere w/ the Dragon's brace...so, he left it off. Now, we zip-tied the rear hole of the tran plate to Dragon's brace. I don't mind. Just anything that works.
03-19-2004, 08:37 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: PA Pittsburgh
Posts: 575
You might want to think about getting a engine brace, kinda like the feed one. It shoudl help some. I didnt get any vibration at all from my tranny brace fo some reason. I think it might be i have all brand new motor mounts ( but not solid ) i dont think i would ever do solid ones just get a engine brace.
03-19-2004, 04:08 PM
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 51
Originally Posted by alberto_mg' date='Mar 18 2004, 07:43 PM
I don't think a zip-tied brace is gonna do anything positive for you. Watch that it doesn't get ripped off going over a speed bump or something...