GT Spec Chassis Braces [6-Point Front & 2-Point Rear] Installed on Nismo Review

jcosta79 · 07-16-2013, 09:29 PM

Just got the GT Spec chassis braces installed today on my 2012 Nismo.

Front

Rear

I was skeptical about being able to feel any difference but I must admit, they do make quite a difference. I cannot say whether or not they make the car "faster", but believe it or not they actually make the ride in my Nismo quite a bit smoother! I was not expecting that.

The car feels MUCH more solid and does not rattle over bumps anymore. I always assumed that the ride was so rough due to the stiff suspension of the Nismo, but now the car soaks up bumps much better. Very nice surprise.

Turn-in is quicker with more precise steering feel and there is less understeer. The car felt more neutral through a couple high-speed sweepers (on ramps) and definitely felt more "planted".

Also, I do not seem to be spinning the rear tires as much, although I only did a couple WOT runs so this may just be a coincidence.

Overall, I am very pleased. Is it a MUST have? Probably not. But if you want to liven up the handling and smooth out the ride of your 370Z, I would recommend it.

Purchased and installed at Jotech Motorsports in Garland, TX.

Alstann · 07-17-2013, 12:26 AM

Good review.

I'm very interested in the bars myself, and I want to do the whole package - 6pt, 4pt, and 2pt.

fuct · 07-17-2013, 04:20 PM

no pic of the front brace installed?

jcosta79 · 07-17-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuct

no pic of the front brace installed?

Check it out here (too large to post): http://www.gtspec.com/sites/default/files/_DSC0142.JPG

There is also a 4-point front brace that goes with this kit, but Jotech did not have it in stock. I ordered it and will have it installed as soon as it arrives.

Chuck33079 · 07-17-2013, 05:12 PM

How much ground clearance did you lose with the front brace? Does the rear work with aftermarket toe bolts?

jcosta79 · 07-17-2013, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

How much ground clearance did you lose with the front brace? Does the rear work with aftermarket toe bolts?

They hang about an inch underneath the cats (or test pipes in my case). I've never had an issue with ground clearance and so far it's been fine.

No idea about the rears. All my suspension is stock Nismo stuff.

Chuck33079 · 07-17-2013, 05:18 PM

So the front brace is now the lowest point of the car?

jcosta79 · 07-18-2013, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

So the front brace is now the lowest point of the car?

Not sure if the nose is lower; they look to be about the same level.

jcosta79 · 08-08-2013, 07:08 PM

I finally got the front 4-point brace installed. I cannot overstate how much more solid the car feels now, especially over bumps and rough pavement. If you think our chassis cannot be made stiffer, you are mistaken. The car now feels more like a stiffly sprung Mercedes and not a Z-car.

Again, unless you are tracking the car, it's not going to make you "faster", but these parts are definitely NOT placebos. They absolutely make a difference.

My cell phone is the suck at taking pics.

haitech · 08-08-2013, 07:40 PM

how much did it run you?

jcosta79 · 08-08-2013, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haitech

how much did it run you?

About $950 for all 3 bars including tax and labor for installation.

MacLean · 12-01-2013, 12:48 AM

Since this post was created almost four months ago, do you have any new news for us about the braces? I'm sure things have settled & you have gotten more of a feel of this. I have been eye balling these braces. I wanted to see what your thought was after the fact & that it has been almost four months since you installed the braces. I would have to assume your still impressed with the purchase.

Has anyone else purchased this & if so what do u think?

Nissanboy · 12-01-2013, 05:03 AM

Wonder if the 6 point will work with aftermarket exhausts, such as LTHs

MacLean · 12-01-2013, 11:27 AM

Supposedly the 6 point brace would work if you have HFC, TP, or LTH. There is a 4 point brace, but I have not heard anything about it.

ParkStr8 · 12-01-2013, 01:53 PM

I had the same kit on my 2008 G35S sedan and 2011 G37S coupe...took care of all the body flex on that long chassis and made a huge difference.

I can't recommend them enough. I'm surprised by your findings tho - but it's good to know. Not sure if i'll do it again...but who knows when my boredom will kick in!

07-16-2013, 09:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
jcosta79 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: N/A Posts: 1,430 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 15	GT Spec Chassis Braces [6-Point Front & 2-Point Rear] Installed on Nismo Review Just got the GT Spec chassis braces installed today on my 2012 Nismo. Front Rear I was skeptical about being able to feel any difference but I must admit, they do make quite a difference. I cannot say whether or not they make the car "faster", but believe it or not they actually make the ride in my Nismo quite a bit smoother! I was not expecting that. The car feels MUCH more solid and does not rattle over bumps anymore. I always assumed that the ride was so rough due to the stiff suspension of the Nismo, but now the car soaks up bumps much better. Very nice surprise. Turn-in is quicker with more precise steering feel and there is less understeer. The car felt more neutral through a couple high-speed sweepers (on ramps) and definitely felt more "planted". Also, I do not seem to be spinning the rear tires as much, although I only did a couple WOT runs so this may just be a coincidence. Overall, I am very pleased. Is it a MUST have? Probably not. But if you want to liven up the handling and smooth out the ride of your 370Z, I would recommend it. Purchased and installed at Jotech Motorsports in Garland, TX. __________________ 2012 PW NISMO #0559 - GT Spec Brace Kit - Swift Springs - ARK TP & Invidia CBE K&N Intake - UpRev Tune - 15mm Z1 Spacers & Studs - StopTech Slotted Rotors & SS Lines - ZSpeed CMAK with Stage 2 Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel Last edited by jcosta79; 07-17-2013 at 04:27 PM.

07-17-2013, 12:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
Alstann Track Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 882 Drives: 12 PW 370z 6MT Sport Rep Power: 15	Good review. I'm very interested in the bars myself, and I want to do the whole package - 6pt, 4pt, and 2pt. __________________ 2012 Pearl White 370Z GReddy Twin Turbo

07-17-2013, 05:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	How much ground clearance did you lose with the front brace? Does the rear work with aftermarket toe bolts? __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

07-17-2013, 05:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	So the front brace is now the lowest point of the car? __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

08-08-2013, 07:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
jcosta79 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: N/A Posts: 1,430 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 15	4-Point Brace Now Installed I finally got the front 4-point brace installed. I cannot overstate how much more solid the car feels now, especially over bumps and rough pavement. If you think our chassis cannot be made stiffer, you are mistaken. The car now feels more like a stiffly sprung Mercedes and not a Z-car. Again, unless you are tracking the car, it's not going to make you "faster", but these parts are definitely NOT placebos. They absolutely make a difference. My cell phone is the suck at taking pics. __________________ 2012 PW NISMO #0559 - GT Spec Brace Kit - Swift Springs - ARK TP & Invidia CBE K&N Intake - UpRev Tune - 15mm Z1 Spacers & Studs - StopTech Slotted Rotors & SS Lines - ZSpeed CMAK with Stage 2 Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel

07-17-2013, 04:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	no pic of the front brace installed?

08-08-2013, 07:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
haitech Track Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Austin/Dallas Posts: 922 Drives: 11' 370z Magnetic M6 Rep Power: 15	how much did it run you?

12-01-2013, 12:48 AM	#12 (permalink)
MacLean A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 1,589 Drives: '12 GM Nismo # 0445 Rep Power: 16	Since this post was created almost four months ago, do you have any new news for us about the braces? I'm sure things have settled & you have gotten more of a feel of this. I have been eye balling these braces. I wanted to see what your thought was after the fact & that it has been almost four months since you installed the braces. I would have to assume your still impressed with the purchase. Has anyone else purchased this & if so what do u think? __________________ l Meisterschaft Full Cat-Back Exhaust l F. I. Resonated High Flow Cats l Stillen Gen 3 l M370 Intake Manifold l UpRev l JWT Clutch & Flywheel l ZSpeed HD CSC l Stillen 19 Row Oil Cooler l ZSpeed Powercoated Under Tray l GTSpec: 6, 4, 2 Point Brace l Last edited by MacLean; 12-01-2013 at 02:14 AM.

12-01-2013, 05:03 AM	#13 (permalink)
Nissanboy Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: H-Town Posts: 378 Drives: Too slow Rep Power: 15	Wonder if the 6 point will work with aftermarket exhausts, such as LTHs

12-01-2013, 11:27 AM	#14 (permalink)
MacLean A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 1,589 Drives: '12 GM Nismo # 0445 Rep Power: 16	Supposedly the 6 point brace would work if you have HFC, TP, or LTH. There is a 4 point brace, but I have not heard anything about it. __________________ l Meisterschaft Full Cat-Back Exhaust l F. I. Resonated High Flow Cats l Stillen Gen 3 l M370 Intake Manifold l UpRev l JWT Clutch & Flywheel l ZSpeed HD CSC l Stillen 19 Row Oil Cooler l ZSpeed Powercoated Under Tray l GTSpec: 6, 4, 2 Point Brace l

12-01-2013, 01:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
ParkStr8 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 361 Drives: 2015 370z Sport Tech Rep Power: 16	I had the same kit on my 2008 G35S sedan and 2011 G37S coupe...took care of all the body flex on that long chassis and made a huge difference. I can't recommend them enough. I'm surprised by your findings tho - but it's good to know. Not sure if i'll do it again...but who knows when my boredom will kick in!

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