Best front subframe brace?

Rookie84 · 06-04-2007, 09:06 AM

I did some searching, and I'm still confused.

I'm thinking about M1 or RPM subframe brace.

M1 (excuse me for stealing your picture, DuckStu)

RPM

Both of them look pretty nice and stiff. It looks like RPM would be stiffer than M1 but M1 is a lot lighter. M1 is 15 lbs, while RPM is 23 lbs, both in chromoly. I'm leaning towards M1 since it looks to be stiff and light, while RPM might be stiffer but at significantly more weight. Now, I am also considering RPM in aluminum but I read that it is not as stiff as chromoly version. I wonder which is stiffer... RPM in aluminum or M1 is chromoly.

The more I look into it, the more I get confused... haha. Which one do you guys think is better?

Boxer · 06-04-2007, 10:25 AM

Chromoly will be stiffer than aluminum. I'd go with the M1.

Drag-On · 06-04-2007, 10:30 AM

I like the RPM chromoly design better. I am planning to get the RPM chromoly brace in the near future.

Imprez@9 · 06-04-2007, 10:38 AM

My friend has the Beatrush aluminum subframe - noticeable difference in weight and handling.

***Neanderthal Racing*** · 06-04-2007, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rookie84

I did some searching, and I'm still confused.

don't be. neither of those pieces comes close to the structural rigidity of the gt spec subframe brace set. it is tubular aluminum tied in at all the right places and set with 45 degree angles everywhere. add their ladder and fender brace kits and youre in business.

NEW!GT Spec 14 point Sub frame replacement 3 piece brace Set

mxpop · 06-04-2007, 11:16 AM

^^ Do you know if it adds/loses ground clearance compared to stock? Esp with the required ALK spacers installed? I'm about 2' lower and the stock subframe is by far the lowest piece under the car.

I just did the Gt fender braces and I feel even more road-bumps, must mean it's working...

***Neanderthal Racing*** · 06-04-2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mxpop

^^ Do you know if it adds/loses ground clearance compared to stock? Esp with the required ALK spacers installed? I'm about 2' lower and the stock subframe is by far the lowest piece under the car.

it is definately lower than stock but i'm pretty slammed myself, pop. my driveway is an off road adventure and i haven't had any problems. it isn't lower than the splitters. btw, you probably know this already but you will lose your plastic undertray.

i'm not surprised you like their fender braces. i really recommend the ladder brace when you do the subframe kit.

Rookie84 · 06-04-2007, 12:04 PM

Wow. This is what I'm talking about getting confused. I get three different responses as to which is the best brace

GT Spec doesn't tie everything together like M1 and RPM. Does this make any difference?

blacknight · 06-04-2007, 12:05 PM

oh just what i was looking for. Subframes! I myself am looking into the gt spec version. whats the price of the m1 and rpm? the m1 is lighter. need to do some research

mxpop · 06-04-2007, 12:19 PM

Thanks BC,

I just talked to GT spec and they say that I will have more ground clearance than I have now with the required spacers added for the ALK kit. He said it will end up more like it did stock which is already an improvement for me.

I have been designing a front splitter arraingement that would have mounted to the stock u-brace. Now i'll need to re-evaluate my plans. I like the idea of the splitter being mounted to a solid peice like the subframe instead of the plastic fender etc. Thoughts?

I also asked about why it is 3 piece and not tied together. He said that they tie into a common stock piece so its as good as 1 piece. I dont totally buy that concept but they know what they are talking about with other items so I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

***Neanderthal Racing*** · 06-04-2007, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rookie84

GT Spec doesn't tie everything together like M1 and RPM. Does this make any difference?

the rpm with it's crossmember looks appears to be more structurally rigid in the front half than the m1 is. the m1 appears to do a better job in the rear half. i think the sum of all 4 of the gt spec sections (i'm including the ladder brace as the 4th piece) address the problem differently with a much more angular and integrated approach.

all three of these company's offerings are better and lighter than the stock subframe which is really crap by comparison. ditto for the fender braces that are available compared to stock. i am not factoring in cost but i rarely do.

***Neanderthal Racing*** · 06-04-2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mxpop

Thanks BC,

I just talked to GT spec and they say that I will have more ground clearance than I have now with the required spacers added for the ALK kit. He said it will end up more like it did stock which is already an improvement for me.

I have been designing a front splitter arraingement that would have mounted to the stock u-brace. Now i'll need to re-evaluate my plans. I like the idea of the splitter being mounted to a solid peice like the subframe instead of the plastic fender etc. Thoughts?

yeah, i don't think it matters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mxpop

I also asked about why it is 3 piece and not tied together. He said that they tie into a common stock piece so its as good as 1 piece. I dont totally buy that concept but they know what they are talking about with other items so I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

if you examine where and how they tie in, he is absolutely right.

**70s-gearhead** · 06-05-2007, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mxpop

^^ Do you know if it adds/loses ground clearance compared to stock? Esp with the required ALK spacers installed? I'm about 2' lower and the stock subframe is by far the lowest piece under the car.

I have the RPM brace and the Whiteline ALK and you will actually gain ground clearance because you do not need the spacers anymore.

I installed the RPM brace a month ago and have driven about 1000 miles since then plus an autocross. You can feel the difference in daily driving and it really helps turn-in on and response on a tight auto-x course.

***VSGTS14*** · 06-05-2007, 07:42 AM

bruce, does the the GT spec frame set work with ALK?

and what brace would best be suited for track purposes?

Drag-On · 06-05-2007, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70s-gearhead

I have the RPM brace and the Whiteline ALK and you will actually gain ground clearance because you do not need the spacers anymore.

I installed the RPM brace a month ago and have driven about 1000 miles since then plus an autocross. You can feel the difference in daily driving and it really helps turn-in on and response on a tight auto-x course.

How was the fitment? Did you experience any issues with the fitment?

06-04-2007, 09:06 AM	#1
Rookie84 Spec C Club Car: '93 RX-7 Fav Mod: LS6 and T-56 swap :D Location: Columbus, OH/Northern VA Posts: 1,461 Join Date: Aug 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	Best front subframe brace? I did some searching, and I'm still confused. I'm thinking about M1 or RPM subframe brace. M1 (excuse me for stealing your picture, DuckStu) RPM Both of them look pretty nice and stiff. It looks like RPM would be stiffer than M1 but M1 is a lot lighter. M1 is 15 lbs, while RPM is 23 lbs, both in chromoly. I'm leaning towards M1 since it looks to be stiff and light, while RPM might be stiffer but at significantly more weight. Now, I am also considering RPM in aluminum but I read that it is not as stiff as chromoly version. I wonder which is stiffer... RPM in aluminum or M1 is chromoly. The more I look into it, the more I get confused... haha. Which one do you guys think is better? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

06-04-2007, 10:25 AM	#2
Boxer Spec C Club Location: FL Posts: 1,484 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Best front subframe brace? Chromoly will be stiffer than aluminum. I'd go with the M1.

06-04-2007, 10:30 AM	#3
Drag-On Grassroots STI Racer Car: '06 Aspen White STI Fav Mod: RCE Tarmac 2 Location: So Cal Posts: 565 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Best front subframe brace? I like the RPM chromoly design better. I am planning to get the RPM chromoly brace in the near future.

06-04-2007, 10:38 AM	#4
Imprez@9 Junior STI Driver Location: Chicago Posts: 66 Join Date: Jan 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Best front subframe brace? My friend has the Beatrush aluminum subframe - noticeable difference in weight and handling. Last edited by Imprez@9 : 06-05-2007 at 07:55 PM.

06-04-2007, 11:16 AM	#6
mxpop Spec C Club Car: '06 STI Fav Mod: air freshener!!! Location: Santa barbara area Posts: 2,294 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Best front subframe brace? ^^ Do you know if it adds/loses ground clearance compared to stock? Esp with the required ALK spacers installed? I'm about 2' lower and the stock subframe is by far the lowest piece under the car. I just did the Gt fender braces and I feel even more road-bumps, must mean it's working...

06-04-2007, 12:04 PM	#8
Rookie84 Spec C Club Car: '93 RX-7 Fav Mod: LS6 and T-56 swap :D Location: Columbus, OH/Northern VA Posts: 1,461 Join Date: Aug 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: Best front subframe brace? Wow. This is what I'm talking about getting confused. I get three different responses as to which is the best brace GT Spec doesn't tie everything together like M1 and RPM. Does this make any difference?

06-04-2007, 12:05 PM	#9
blacknight Senior STI Driver Car: Stage 2 05 OBP STi Fav Mod: Hotkchis sway bar kit Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 381 Join Date: Dec 2004 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Best front subframe brace? oh just what i was looking for. Subframes! I myself am looking into the gt spec version. whats the price of the m1 and rpm? the m1 is lighter. need to do some research

06-04-2007, 12:19 PM	#10
mxpop Spec C Club Car: '06 STI Fav Mod: air freshener!!! Location: Santa barbara area Posts: 2,294 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Best front subframe brace? Thanks BC, I just talked to GT spec and they say that I will have more ground clearance than I have now with the required spacers added for the ALK kit. He said it will end up more like it did stock which is already an improvement for me. I have been designing a front splitter arraingement that would have mounted to the stock u-brace. Now i'll need to re-evaluate my plans. I like the idea of the splitter being mounted to a solid peice like the subframe instead of the plastic fender etc. Thoughts? I also asked about why it is 3 piece and not tied together. He said that they tie into a common stock piece so its as good as 1 piece. I dont totally buy that concept but they know what they are talking about with other items so I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

06-05-2007, 07:42 AM	#14
*VSGTS14* Muller Chevrolet Car: 08 Chevy 2500HD Fav Mod: a new 08 STi Location: Milford, NJ Posts: 9,850 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (11)	Re: Best front subframe brace? bruce, does the the GT spec frame set work with ALK? and what brace would best be suited for track purposes?