TMS Chassis Bracing Installed

Jrwst39 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 06:57 PM

I had the Truax Motorsports chassis bracing set welded up to my car last weekend, and I must say there is a huge improvement in handling. Squeaks and rattles have also diminished, especially the ones induced by high frequency vibration caused by rough pavement.

Prior to the bracing, I had installed the Racingline strut tower bar on my car and that really tightened up the front end. Here are my impressions of the improvements the chassis bracing made above and beyond (or in concert with) the stb:

-Steering response is even sharper
-Ride quality is improved
-Cornering limits have increased
-Bumps do not upset the chassis composure, even in hard corners
-The car stays much more neutral in quick transitions, accelerating, and braking
-Handling maneuvers at high speed induce very little float
-The whole car actually feels tossable now, even with the stock suspension

Tires are 245/40/18 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Positions on the stock wheels.

I don't have pictures, but my car looks the same as the one on page 4 of the "Chassis bracing, who is interested??" thread.

The bracing cost was $300 (from TMS), and the install cost was $200 (locally) - well worth it IMO.

On a side note, Brian Catts located the welder I used, and I ended up meeting Brian in person. He's a super cool guy and he brought one of his y-pipes for me to look at. Man, that thing is a work of art and is definitely on my future mod. list.

kramerbuccs24 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 08:10 PM

Here are the pics from the thread mentioned in the OP:

THIS IS NOT MY CAR!!! lol

Red Lion · #3 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 09:30 PM

Nice. Where do they connect along the sides? That's different than the Maxima braces. More pics!

Jrwst39 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008, 12:34 AM

Along the outer sides, the welds are along the pinch weld (aka the ridge where the jack points are located).

I'm one of those guys without a good digital camera, but I even if I had one I don't know how much better I could do than the pictures kramer posted.

Kramer, is that your car?

Red Lion · #5 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008, 12:58 AM

thanks man, can I ask one more question? Do you (or anybody here) know how much they weigh? Just curious.

kramerbuccs24 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrwst39

Along the outer sides, the welds are along the pinch weld (aka the ridge where the jack points are located).

I'm one of those guys without a good digital camera, but I even if I had one I don't know how much better I could do than the pictures kramer posted.

Kramer, is that your car?

lol, no, that's from the thread that you linked to in the first post, I was just making it easier for everyone to see it. I'm bone stock right now

**pipeline** · #7 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008, 08:05 AM

i would love these

but shipping is a monster i bet...

Jrwst39 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008, 03:57 PM

The weight is either 30 or 35 lbs. for both, I can't remember which: One of the guys from Truax would know for sure. I haven't noticed any difference in acceleration due to the added weight.

Shipping was included in the $300 I paid, but the TMS website now says $325.

Thanks for linking the pictures, Kramer.

There are some more pics of these on the Maxima.org thread that Dan Truax links to in post #53 of "Chassis bracing, who is interested??":

6th Gen Maxima and Altima 02-06 Chassis brace group buy - Maxima Forums

TUKO316 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 01:45 AM

dam now i want them even more.

Mikeyb · #10 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 06:24 PM

Chassis bracing does wonders for cars. I just do not understand why the are not done at the factory. I put bracing on my 3rd gen Camaro and what a big difference. I would love to do these to my Altima.

Jrwst39 · #11 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 03:50 PM

Agreed. I had SLP subframe connectors on my '98 Z28 (sold), and they did make a huge difference for that car. The Altima bracing has to be welded up as opposed to being a bolt-on installation, but that didn't bother me.

**Scooters02Altima2.5s** · #12 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 03:57 PM

sooo jealous......

GLS_3rd · #13 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 02:08 PM

Were any pics posted anywhere?

Jrwst39 · #14 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 03:08 PM

There are no pics of my car specifically, but there are some in post #2 and a link to more in post #8.

truaxmotorsports · #15 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 03:28 AM

Jrwst39, Glad you like them. We have been trying to tell you Altima guy's that they really help for a while. We think they should be the first suspension mod. other than upgraded tires.
They weigh almost 35 lbs. Shipping is $35, it's not too bad. Please email us if you have questions. We are sending another batch of Maxima braces to the powder coater first of next week, it would be pretty easy to throw in Altima braces as well.
On another note, if someone here had the time to work with us on a group buy we are interested.

Dan TMS