Group Buy Introducing the LoveFab WFS NSX Chassis Bracing System

[MvM]

Weights for the bars that I received:

Front upper: 4.26 lbs / 1932 g
Front lower: 5.6 lbs / 2540 g
Rear: 4.56 lbs / 2068 g

Upper bar clears VIS hood with room to spare.

Phoenix,

Thank you VERY much for the exact weight numbers. I also like the fact that you mention it clears the VIS hood, because that's what I have.
Just to be sure, I assume the weight for the rear bar is the weight for the coupe bar, not the triangular NSX-T bar.

 

[Cody@LoveFab]

Correct. The Targa bar will be between 12-15lbs vs 5lbs for the rear Coupe bar.

 

[MvM]

Correct. The Targa bar will be between 12-15lbs vs 5lbs for the rear Coupe bar.

Ouch !! Than means the trage brace is about twice as heavy as the OEM brace (7.3 lbs) !!
Must be SOME brace

 

[Cody@LoveFab]

Indeed. There are pictures somewhere in here.

I will be closing this group buy shortly, filling the orders, and then launching a second Group Buy when we are finished filling the orders.

I will also be launching a separate Group Buy for the Targa bars, including a SC compatible bar.

 

[RYU]

Cody,

I'm guessing you had a chance to inspect in closer detail the HPD Acura NSX at Pikes Peak last year. I would love for you to look into how to adapt an X-Brace or Triangle Brace for the coupe in a similar layout they did. Perhaps you can connect the glass hatch brackets to the shock towers and/or the engine cover hinges. Those 3 points on the frame seems like strong support structures. HPD has a full cage but for a street version I think the hatch brackets might be a strong rigid point in the frame to do this. You would know better...

If a triangle brace (or an X-Brace) can be made for a CTSC coupe without having to drill the thin firewall I'd be very interested. I had put together my own triangle brace in my coupe using the engine cover as hinge supports and it worked well but had to take it off because of the CTSC.

Your thoughts?

This is the HPD NSX

This was mine before I went with a CTSC. Sorry for the crappy photo.

 

[TURBO2GO]

Ryu that post might be better on its own thread. I don't want to now hijack a GB thread but this is a first I hear of HPD making ANY NSX parts. You say they have a cage? Can you start a new thread we can discuss?

 

[Cody@LoveFab]

Cody,

I'm guessing you had a chance to inspect in closer detail the HPD Acura NSX at Pikes Peak last year. I would love for you to look into how to adapt an X-Brace or Triangle Brace for the coupe in a similar layout they did. Perhaps you can connect the glass hatch brackets to the shock towers and/or the engine cover hinges. Those 3 points on the frame seems like strong support structures. HPD has a full cage but for a street version I think the hatch brackets might be a strong rigid point in the frame to do this. You would know better...

If a triangle brace (or an X-Brace) can be made for a CTSC coupe without having to drill the thin firewall I'd be very interested. I had put together my own triangle brace in my coupe using the engine cover as hinge supports and it worked well but had to take it off because of the CTSC.

Your thoughts?

This is the HPD NSX

This was mine before I went with a CTSC. Sorry for the crappy photo.

Due to our time constraints at the Peak, I was not able to dissect the car as well as I would've liked.

However, at this point, if you would like me to build something, simply write a check, and I will build it. One-off pieces are billed at materials, plus labor. I would guestimate around $900 for a one-off piece. If there is enough interest, say "5" units, I will be glad to build the prototype, fixture it, and produce a run of them, which saves time on a "per piece" basis, which allows me to pass the savings to the customer.

Thank you.

 

[RYU]

Sorry, what started as a 2 sentence inquiry ended up as one of my famous long winded post.

I was simply hoping Cody could weigh in on a proper triangle or x brace for the coupe.

Anyone can throw $$$ at the car but since Cody knows the platform well his insight would be helpful.

- - - Updated - - -

Mods..please feel free to delete. I forget this is a dedicated GB thread

 

[Cody@LoveFab]

I don't mind, its pertinent information.

 

[greenberet]

If you don't mind it being discussed here, I'd also be interested in a triangulated rear brace for a coupe. Something like a cross between a targa brace and the center black section of HPD's brace that bolts to the top of the strut towers and the bottom of the engine cover hinges.

And I'm looking forward to stiffening up my chassis with the bars I've already ordered.

 

[TURBO2GO]

Ouch !! Than means the trage brace is about twice as heavy as the OEM brace (7.3 lbs) !!
Must be SOME brace

For reference the comptech brace is 6.5, the Stmpo is 8.5 (It removes two OEM mounts).

I'm imagining that some of the extra weight of the lovefab bar is from the triangular steel wings and the added center bar. Cody do you find all that necessary? Isn't this chromoly? What is the diameter? I'm trying to understand why you have braced the brace so much sorta speak. From the outside it seems like extra weight, extra labor and ultimately, extra cost. Is there some data or experience that you have that made this seem necessary?

 

[Cody@LoveFab]

The bulk of the weight is due to using .095" vs. .065" chromoly, as well as additional bracing over previous bars. Keep in mind, I have not weighed the Targa brace yet, so until I do, we are operating on speculation.

Why the gussets? As each shock tower flexes, you see 360° movement, in a 3D plane. In other words up, down, forward, backward, side to side. There is not as much rigidity in the brace in a "vertical" plane, so the guessets are arranged to add a 3D bracing effect, as well as to further reinforce the tubing joints, which prevents further flex.

Experience? Pike's Peak is a great example. I overbuilt the hell out of the Pikes Peak NSX, which held up BEAUTIFULLY with a head-on collision with the side of a mountain. Because of the lengths I went to to brace, reinforce, and over-build the chassis, the car lives to race another day. If I would've built the car to "convention", the car would likely have been written off.

I carry the same attitude with these chassis braces. Why NOT gusset and reinforce the braces as much as possible? They are braces; make them stiff despite small weight or labor penalties. If you dont want the gussets, its pretty easy to leave them out.

In another note, that now makes two people interested in Coupe multi-point braces. Can we get a list going for these?

 

[doc_tai]

Group buy still on?

 

[Cody@LoveFab]

Yes. I will be closing this Group Buy soon though, to consolidate information, complete open orders, and to post a second group buy with more concise information. We have several runs of bars in production now though, so get in while you can.

 

[Frank Spano]

Cody, I want the two from bars for a coupe, also I would be interested in the group buy for a triangle bar for the coupe. I have a water to air intercooler for my turbo, so not sudre if the bar would have to be modified or not. Frank

 

[Elite]

For reference the comptech brace is 6.5, the Stmpo is 8.5 (It removes two OEM mounts).

I'm imagining that some of the extra weight of the lovefab bar is from the triangular steel wings and the added center bar. Cody do you find all that necessary? Isn't this chromoly? What is the diameter? I'm trying to understand why you have braced the brace so much sorta speak. From the outside it seems like extra weight, extra labor and ultimately, extra cost. Is there some data or experience that you have that made this seem necessary?

The bulk of the weight is due to using .095" vs. .065" chromoly, as well as additional bracing over previous bars. Keep in mind, I have not weighed the Targa brace yet, so until I do, we are operating on speculation.

Why the gussets? As each shock tower flexes, you see 360° movement, in a 3D plane. In other words up, down, forward, backward, side to side. There is not as much rigidity in the brace in a "vertical" plane, so the guessets are arranged to add a 3D bracing effect, as well as to further reinforce the tubing joints, which prevents further flex.

Experience? Pike's Peak is a great example. I overbuilt the hell out of the Pikes Peak NSX, which held up BEAUTIFULLY with a head-on collision with the side of a mountain. Because of the lengths I went to to brace, reinforce, and over-build the chassis, the car lives to race another day. If I would've built the car to "convention", the car would likely have been written off.

I carry the same attitude with these chassis braces. Why NOT gusset and reinforce the braces as much as possible? They are braces; make them stiff despite small weight or labor penalties. If you dont want the gussets, its pretty easy to leave them out.

In another note, that now makes two people interested in Coupe multi-point braces. Can we get a list going for these?

All the gusseting etc isn't "extra", it's the right way to do it. You all are buying these to increase rigidity. I wouldn't worry about an extra pound or two when the piece you are buying is more rigid than a non braced/gusseted version would be, that's the whole point of the part.

And I'd bet there are a lot of people who'd buy the coupe triangle version. I've been meaning to build myself one for a while now.

 

[Nero Tenebre]

I agree. The weight gain is negligible but the performance gain is measurable.

 

[NSXBOX]

Cody- PM sent for quote. btw any difference for RHD for the front upper brace.

 

[Cody@LoveFab]

PM'd you back Nico. There shouldn't be any significant structural difference, though some accessories may need relocation depending on their mirror-image differences on LHD cars.

 

[NA1MT]

There will always be weight weenies looking to save ounces to convince themselves it's making them faster.

 

[doc_tai]

Is complete kit for coupe still 899? If so put me down for complete kit for the coupe

 

[Cody@LoveFab]

Yes, it is doc_tai, you must pay to get on the list at this point. I will send you a PM. We have a triple order of chromoly that has been cut, notched, and fit all week for a whole mess of bars. It's been extremely hectic, I will update the order and ship lists before the weekend.

 

[doc_tai]

Any update when my complete set gonna ship out?

 

[9doors]

Just a quick review of this setup. I have installed the upper and lower bars and just ran two days on Firebird Main @ FIR in Phoenix. The easiest thing to say is the car now feels like a single piece for everything in front of the steering wheel. Part of this is experienced on how planted and controlled the front feels, but also how every vibration from the front of the car travels through it. This is not a bad thing; it is the result of tying the frame rails together and is evidence from the 'butt in the driver's seat' that these bars work. Thank you Cody!

 

[3.5lnsxr]

Shipping tonight Sky. I shipped to Pheonix599 first because he had a scheduled maintenance appointment at his garage that he would've had to split into two appointments. I apologize, and hope this wasn't a huge inconvenience for you.

hello cody
just like to report that i have not receipt my bar yet? i will like to know what going?
thanks