Pro Beam Install

Jack B · 10-25-2009, 11:14 PM

I installed the ProBeam tonight and have a few suggestions:

1. The car has the Solo Pro Street exhaust and it does not have to be dropped for the install.

2.I do not know how anyone can drill the last two holes without a long drill bit. I have a 12" X 5/16" drill bit and it worked perfectly.

3. Not a big deal, but, the powder-coat on the ProBeam brackets makes the the insertion of the supplied bolts into the brackets a little difficult.

4. the kit is well thought out and fits perfectly. The instructions are just OK, their pictures are too small and are hard to use.

The total time was about 1-1/2 hrs. Without the long drill bit it is going to take longer.

jinks · 10-26-2009, 06:15 AM

I installed my pro beam (solo srq2 exhaust) with out using a long bit. I did remove the beam to drill it, but other than that, no problems. Mike

ASETech67 · 11-06-2009, 04:49 AM

I installed these in alil over an hour total. Used a standard length 5/16 Turbobit and Bluepoint airdrill (for the Probeam) and added 8mm flat washers to the install of the Race Backbone. Since I still have the stock exhaust yet, I had to notch out the ProBeam slightly to clear the Intermediate pipe. (If you have to do this on your car, I suggest painting the notched area to keep from rusting)
I will admit that I did this on a drive on rack and used air tools...so I had some advantages at my disposal.
Gary

Falcon Wing · 11-06-2009, 05:23 PM

Is the probeam the same as the Kappaspherer REBAR, in that you have to drill???

snaponbob · 11-06-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Wing

Is the probeam the same as the Kappaspherer REBAR, in that you have to drill???

Same theory, but completely different designs. Both work. But one has to consider compatibility with exhaust systems and hitches. I have the ProBeam and Curt hitch. Stock, MagnaFlow, and Solo Performance all fit, but it gets "close" under there !!

LatinVenom · 11-07-2009, 08:59 PM

No drilling with the REBAR.

snaponbob · 11-07-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LatinVenom

No drilling with the REBAR.

But are their any issues with conflicts with exhausts and/or hitches? BTW, for SCCA legality reasons I had to install my ProBeam without drilling the above referenced three holes. Guess what? Still works !!!!

ASETech67 · 11-08-2009, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaponbob

But are their any issues with conflicts with exhausts and/or hitches? BTW, for SCCA legality reasons I had to install my ProBeam without drilling the above referenced three holes. Guess what? Still works !!!!

Ok I have to ask here since Im unfamiliar

with the bylaws of the SCCA...How is the ProBeam attached to the "center brace", welded or is it floating?

snaponbob · 11-08-2009, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASETech67

Ok I have to ask here since Im unfamiliar

with the bylaws of the SCCA...How is the ProBeam attached to the "center brace", welded or is it floating?

It is floating, simply attached at each end. I am sure that its effect would be enhanced with the three bolts attached to the rear chassis cross beam, but I can assure one and all that as I have installed there was a significant change in the way the car handled when driven hard (street or Solo) and was more directionally stable in a straight line on rough pavement.

Although I have no plans to do it, it would be interesting to feel the difference in a Kappa with the GXP/Z0K rear and with BOTH pieces. Probably not a huge difference, but curious anyway.

Tobacco King · 11-08-2009, 08:33 AM

What is the pro beam?

ASETech67 · 11-08-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaponbob

It is floating, simply attached at each end. I am sure that its effect would be enhanced with the three bolts attached to the rear chassis cross beam, but I can assure one and all that as I have installed there was a significant change in the way the car handled when driven hard (street or Solo) and was more directionally stable in a straight line on rough pavement.

Although I have no plans to do it, it would be interesting to feel the difference in a Kappa with the GXP/Z0K rear and with BOTH pieces. Probably not a huge difference, but curious anyway.

...Ive been toying with the idea of a Z0K rear sway bar and upgraded bushings as well...I was more interested about the bushings themselves at first since they keep the bar in better check...but Ive been reading alot about the Z0K...Im just curious how much thicker and stiffer this rear sway bar really is, as I have yet to find any pics of it in my searches. Im all about making my Kappa handle as good as it can, help it realize its potential in HP and Torque, and make it dazzle with alil extra bling and personal touches, but still be user friendly as my daily driver...you know...finding that perfect mix

ASETech67 · 11-08-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobacco King

What is the pro beam?

Look up at my previous post with the 3 pics...the first pic shows the black brace looking device bolted between the rear lower control arm mounting brackets....thats the ProBeam from DDMWorks. It, along with the Backbone,
(The red belly pan looking device) give the suspension a better platform to work from due to better Torsional Ridgity/Stability of the carriage.

LatinVenom · 11-08-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaponbob

But are their any issues with conflicts with exhausts and/or hitches? BTW, for SCCA legality reasons I had to install my ProBeam without drilling the above referenced three holes. Guess what? Still works !!!!

All I was doing was answering his question about drilling.
There have been reports of clearance issues with the REBAR on some exhaust.
I have the PROBEAM and is completely bolted on using the 3 screws, I also have the ZOK bars front and rear.
I also have the BackBone.
It has been mentioned by both vendors and also by others that from a handling point of view there is probably very little difference between the REBAR and the PROBEAM.