# Chassis Reinforcement **URL:** \ **Category:** SON240sx Automotive\ **Created:** [February 21, 2006, 9:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079 "2006-02-21T09:09:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Doba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@Doba](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Doba)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/1 "2006-02-21T09:09:21Z")
I’m hoping to start up a conversation on chassis reinforcements, seeing what you people have done to your cars for reinforcements, looking for feedback, negative or positive. There are many types of chassis reinforcement sold for the 240sx: Fender Brace ![http://www.more-japan.com/files/d_155.jpg](http://www.more-japan.com/files/d_155.jpg) Tension support bar ![http://www.more-japan.com/files/d_33.jpg](http://www.more-japan.com/files/d_33.jpg) Strut bar (front & back) ![http://www.drivewire.com/PerformanceParts/dcsports/001images/strutbar.jpg](http://www.drivewire.com/PerformanceParts/dcsports/001images/strutbar.jpg) Sway bars ![http://www.drivewire.com/PerformanceParts/intrax/001images/swaybarkits.jpg](http://www.drivewire.com/PerformanceParts/intrax/001images/swaybarkits.jpg) There are many more I’m hoping you guys can help with, by sharing your info and experience. ---
**Author:** ![240sxfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/dec6dc/32.png) [@240sxfan](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/240sxfan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/2 "2006-02-21T09:16:12Z")
so far all I have down is front and rear strut tower bars, definately less body roll with them installed. I suggest this upgrade to everyone! I might be crazy and it might be in my head, but with the strut towers you can really get a better feel for when the tires are about to let go. You aren’t thrown off by the body roll. But what do I know, i’m a newb 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/3 "2006-02-21T09:23:55Z")
Im am not totally sure that Strut Bars will help with body roll as much as a little body flex. ---
**Author:** ![Doba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@Doba](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Doba)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/4 "2006-02-21T09:28:56Z")
> [@240sxfan](#): > > so far all I have down is front and rear strut tower bars, definately less body roll with them installed. > > I suggest this upgrade to everyone! > > I might be crazy and it might be in my head, but with the strut towers you can really get a better feel for when the tires are about to let go. You aren’t thrown off by the body roll. But what do I know, i’m a newb 🙂 Good stuff, this is the sort of feedback im looking for, in all areas. thanks ---
**Author:** ![jammin1911](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@jammin1911](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jammin1911)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/5 "2006-02-21T09:29:30Z")
Benson is correct but the twist feels similar to roll in a way… so what 240sxfan is feeling would still be reduced from a properly installed/adjusted stb. I did front and rear stb’s and it made a small difference for the twist… I did front and rear adjustable whiteline sways and with them set to tight the megan racing coilovers set to soft feel like they’re on full dampening basically… it just amplified the tightness of installing coilovers. Body roll was reduced but not a _lot_. I have them set to tight in the rear (will be changing that soon, i don’t like so much oversteer) and medium stiffness in front which feels pretty good the fronts stick like glue. Another big one would be replacing all of your bushings… i haven’t installed my kit yet but i have it sitting in my garage ready to go. it makes a world of difference… especially on our old cars. tc rods will help stiffen your steering and give the car a much nicer feel in corners and changing lanes on the highway, etc. a cage will be one of the biggest improvements to chassis reinforcement. even a 4pt or 6pt makes a world of difference for body twist, etc. the list goes on, but i have little or no knowledge of the rest of the stuff used for chassis reinforcement… im also an uber noob. ---
**Author:** ![240sxfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/dec6dc/32.png) [@240sxfan](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/240sxfan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/6 "2006-02-21T09:29:53Z")
> [@Benson240sx](#): > > Im am not totally sure that Strut Bars will help with body roll as much as a little body flex. maybe i am getting the two confused… ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 10:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/7 "2006-02-21T10:00:28Z")
> [@240sxfan](#): > > [quote=Benson240sx]Im am not totally sure that Strut Bars will help with body roll as much as a little body flex. maybe i am getting the two confused…[/quote] Ya it is cool, they feel almost the same depending on how bad the roll and chassis flex is, but overall on a S Chassis the STB’s do help a good amount, I would say go STB’s/ Sways and a nice set of coils. ---
**Author:** ![mikesim](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mikesim/32/5561_2.png) [@mikesim](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mikesim)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 11:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/8 "2006-02-21T11:50:55Z")
sway bars are on the more sexpensive side, but improve handling greatly even with stock suspension. they make the greatest noticable difference in terms of change. also with the cost of roll bars nowadays i’d suggest a roll bar, bings multilink set and STBs. you could probably get all of them for just over $1000. ---
**Author:** ![DirrtyDevo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dirrtydevo/32/5547_2.png) [@DirrtyDevo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DirrtyDevo)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 12:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/9 "2006-02-21T12:00:26Z")
STB’s make good bars to lean on when working on the car but also do make a decent diffrence. sway bars are a bit more pricey but make a much more noticable diffrence than the STB’s. Together they work in harmony and make a really big diffrence. ---
**Author:** ![snowboard\_240sx](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/snowboard_240sx/32/5519_2.png) [@snowboard\_240sx](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/snowboard_240sx)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 12:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/10 "2006-02-21T12:54:30Z")
what about other types of chassis re enforcment like re enforcing the frame? what can be done for this? just weld more metal in certain areas? ---
**Author:** ![Doba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@Doba](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Doba)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 2:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/11 "2006-02-21T14:37:08Z")
> [@snowboard\_240sx](#): > > what about other types of chassis re enforcment like re enforcing the frame? what can be done for this? just weld more metal in certain areas? yes I was wondering the same, thats why i mentioned above “fender brace” more of the line of that. By now we all should know the difference sway bars and strut bars make, Im looking for other areas to improve on your chassis (frame). Another example would be re-welding the sheet metal, for example if you notice inside the engine bay, lots of areas are un welded just held with “guck” of some sort. ---
**Author:** ![BAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bas/32/5540_2.png) [@BAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BAS)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/12 "2006-02-21T21:06:54Z")
This has been discussed time and again… use the search function… !!! ---
**Author:** ![Wiltzor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/aeb1de/32.png) [@Wiltzor](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Wiltzor)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:38pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/13 "2006-02-21T21:38:35Z")
As Doba just mentioned, good results can be had by seam welding certain areas of the car. I’d do that before picking up any fender braces like in the first post. ---
**Author:** ![alesserfate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f6c823/32.png) [@alesserfate](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/alesserfate)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 1:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/14 "2006-02-22T01:09:58Z")
there are various types of frame reinforcement such as these nismo power brace ![http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/july03/project240sx/images/nismopb-2.jpg](http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/july03/project240sx/images/nismopb-2.jpg) ![http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/july03/project240sx/images/nismopb-4.jpg](http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/july03/project240sx/images/nismopb-4.jpg) hks kansai tunnel brace ![http://www.splparts.com/Parts/S14/Suspension/Bracing/HKSKansaiTunnelBrace.jpg](http://www.splparts.com/Parts/S14/Suspension/Bracing/HKSKansaiTunnelBrace.jpg) The floor support bar reduces flex lengthwise along the chassis ![http://www.splparts.com/Parts/NissanShared/Suspension/Bracing/DoluckFloorSupportBar.jpg](http://www.splparts.com/Parts/NissanShared/Suspension/Bracing/DoluckFloorSupportBar.jpg) The rear cross bar and ladder bars reduce flex laterally ![http://www.splparts.com/Parts/NissanShared/Suspension/Bracing/DoluckRearCrossBar.jpg](http://www.splparts.com/Parts/NissanShared/Suspension/Bracing/DoluckRearCrossBar.jpg) SPL subframe brace set ![http://www.splparts.com/Parts/S13/Suspension/Bracing/SPLSubframeBrace2.jpg](http://www.splparts.com/Parts/S13/Suspension/Bracing/SPLSubframeBrace2.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Invalid\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecae2f/32.png) [@Invalid\_Zero](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Invalid_Zero)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 3:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/15 "2006-02-22T03:48:48Z")
Don’t forget chassis foam in the rockers! And C-pillar bars. I’ve got Cusco front and Nismo rear STBs, a 4 pt roll bar, chassis foam and fender braces. Should be a fun spring. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Doba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@Doba](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Doba)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 11:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/16 "2006-02-22T11:08:31Z")
Good job Alesserfate, now does anyone have any of these? and can share their experiance with them, worth the buck or not? ---
**Author:** ![Theo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Theo23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Theo23)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 1:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/17 "2006-02-22T13:52:23Z")
> [@Doba](#): > > Good job Alesserfate, now does anyone have any of these? and can share their experiance with them, worth the buck or not? Doba, what is your goal here, you going to be drifting, auto crossing, drag racing? Just to give us a little idea on where you are looking towards. ---
**Author:** ![Jedi\_Car\_Fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Jedi\_Car\_Fan](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jedi_Car_Fan)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 2:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/18 "2006-02-22T14:49:15Z")
simpliest method is to get a 6 point cage “not a cusco” something done proper that is fully braced. you can go crazy with simple bolt on parts “strut bars, roll bars, new sway bars, power brace, this and that” but even with all of them you will not get as much of an improvement as you would vs a proper cage setup. so as Theo said… depending on how serious you are and how much “re-enforcement” you need, it would be broke not 3 options really. #1 Bolt on Bars/Braces #2 Foam in the Frame/Rockers whereever… #3 Roll Cage ---
**Author:** ![alesserfate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f6c823/32.png) [@alesserfate](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/alesserfate)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 2:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/19 "2006-02-22T14:52:33Z")
yeah, just dont get it too stiff, it wont feel like it hugs the corners, it will either understeer or oversteer, there is a reason cars flex a bit ---
**Author:** ![TM1](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tm1/32/5517_2.png) [@TM1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TM1)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 2:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079/20 "2006-02-22T14:57:23Z")
> [@alesserfate](#): > > yeah, just dont get it too stiff, it wont feel like it hugs the corners, it will either understeer or oversteer, there is a reason cars flex a bit The chassis isn’t supposed to flex, thats what the suspension is for. The less your chassis flexs, the more you make your suspension work. As well, the less flexing your chassis does the longer it will last. Make the chassis as rigid as possible, build and tune your suspension to accept the forces applied, and make sure you run good rubber. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chassis-reinforcement/93079.md?page=2)