[riggs314]

Ordered the Basic backbone, 1/4" thick a few days ago. Tracking shows it is in the Dayton, Ohio UPS facility as of yesterday morning. Should have it in my hands by late afternoon Monday. Went ahead and got car up on jackstands and removed stock unit. Bolts came out no sweat. Had to remove the clamp from the new Solo muffler which allowed just enough wiggle room to remove the stock plate. Basically just a flat plate with no ribbing for strength value, a bit over a 1/16" thick. Had to call it a day as the Miami Valley heat and humidity is getting to me.

 

[TomatoSoup]

More like 1/32" think than 1/16"

You are getting the probeam too, right?

 

[riggs314]

OK...after making an emergency trip to the state of Georgia, I am back home and have completed the job. The backbone brace slipped right in, put the bolts in and torqued down to 13 - 15 foot pounds as recommended. Purchased the front brace from a fellow forum member and installed that item in just a few minutes. No problems at all getting it in other than what the heck is that big 'ole empty plastic box for? When it came time to bolt it back in, I had to raise the front of it about 3/4" because the mounting foot/bottom edge of box interfered with the round brace beam. I have temporarily raised that portion of the box with a 3/4" socket and a new bolt. Was thinking of moving the mounting foot over towards the other side of the frame rail and drilling and tapping a new hole. Will leave as is for now and do more thinking on it in a day or two. Yes, I am going to get the rear Probeam ordered probably next month as soon as my wallet gets refurbished!

 

[riggs314]

More pictures of the front brace...

 

[riggs314]

Final pictures...

 

[OSUCherokee]

Looks great! How's it drive?

 

[LatinVenom]

riggs314:
DDM has a set of spacers when installing it on an NA car.
You can also take the plastic piece off all together an cap the hole.
The plastic piece is nothing more than a sound baffle to quiet the intake.

 

[chickenwire]

Same question - how does it handle?

 

[riggs314]

Have not really had a chance to take the car out on some twisty/turny roads yet. Have driven the car for a few flat land, short distance errands. The car does seem to be a bit stiffer. Is that possible or is it in my head? Removed that big plastic box and put a plug in the hole as suggested. Will that effect performance or mileage? Would that help to increase the exhaust note? Solo performance muffler and seems to be a bit louder now! Again, maybe just in my head?!

 

[TX08manualGXP]

That box is just for sound. it will do nothing for mileage or performance but will make it sound better. Most of the NA guys have done the rubber mallet ot paint can mod. I have mine closed off on the 06 as well. Let us know how it handles. I'm wanting to get one for the GXP.

One question: did you jack the car up by the differential? looks so in the first photo's.

 

[rob the elder]

Good job

As TS said, the biggest improvement comes from the ProBeam on the rear. Did you install that too?

The combination of the backbone and the ProBeam significantly improve stiffness. Before both, the car would twist to conform to a deep driveway to road interface. After the braces were added, the car will pick up one wheel.

 

[riggs314]

Yes, I did jack up the car by the rear end differential. Believe I read somewhere that you are not supposed to do that...I would imagine since it is made of aluminum. That is why I used a chunk of 2 x 4 to cushion the lift. I have done this several times now and do far no bad luck! I have the pucks and two hydraulic jacks to use at the same time...maybe that would be wiser and safer.

Probeam is coming...probably next month. Wife is not happy with all the money I am spending on car!

 

[OSUCherokee]

Wife is not happy with all the money I am spending on car!

:willy::willy::willy:

 

[chickenwire]

lol. Wife started running down some of the activity on our debit card at the end of last year and asking me questions. "What is this one?"

Windrestrictor.

"And this one?"

Kappasphere luggage.

"What about this one?"

Water pump.

"Grand Allegan?"

New hood liner.

"And this one?"

ASAP Graphics - Lettering for the new hood liner.

And on and on. I finally said, "You know you approved all of these, right?"

"Oh I know. I guess I just didn't realize . . . "

 

[riggs314]

I did find a few country lane twisty/turnys and went into them a little hotter than normal. Car handled much better than before. Now anxious to get the probeam and see what happens.

I try to offset Momma's unhappiness with the occasional piece of jewelry or buy something nice for the house...

 

[LatinVenom]

It seems a lot of folks here do not understand the importance of the Venom Brace and the contribution to the behavior or overall impact on the suspension parameters with our car.
There was a lot of computer time spend on the design/development of this product,

 

[1 LIL NDN]

:thumbs: Welcome to the $$$Pit .I been doing it for 5 years now . I'm getting some more Art work in Oct so I just got her new tires for her Jeep . :grouphug:

 

[bill45005]

I did find a few country lane twisty/turnys and went into them a little hotter than normal. Car handled much better than before. Now anxious to get the probeam and see what happens.

I try to offset Momma's unhappiness with the occasional piece of jewelry or buy something nice for the house...

Hi Riggs, hey let me know what you think of Probeam . I think that is going to be on my Xmas list . altho she has no idea what it is but gave her a copy of DDM's listings lol