Strut braces

Has anyone ever fitted strut braces to a GTA?

I need to make some enquiries as I think I've found a source for them for GTAs. I just wondered if anyone had ever tried fitting any and what the results (if any) were?

I think they would work well in adding rigidity to the chassis. I know its torsional rigidity is high in normal spec but it's one of the things the A610 improved upon and in theory it would allow the suspension to work better........ it might even eliminate some of the annoying rattles!

Have a look at this ...

[url]http://www.renault-alpine.com/i/ress24.jpg[url][/url]

bigger, no that doesn't work....

This is one of a series of tempting pics (some very tacky) of GTA mods, shown on the RACI website, follow the Foto link and then axel rees' 65 photos.

I'd be interested in something like that......where do you think youve found a source that sells em...and how much?

Ive looked into making something like this, but as you can see from the pic, you have to remove the boot liner to get good fixings.

The only contact is through the Axel Ress website... he has all sorts of goodies, no strut brace mind, and I didn't get a reply to an email, but worth a try anyway.

http://www.ress-motorsport.de/

The set of pics on the RACI website are also very good, a couple of racing GTA's one with huge front brakes, you just scroll through... this should work:
http://www.renault-alpine.com/ress.shtm

Mmm.....my German's not too good....been 18yrs since I last did it at school. I'd remove my plastic liner to fit a strut brace....may just make one up. After all its only a couple of shaped pieces of steel and a length of tube.....and a bit of weld!

The pictures also show one in the engine bay I think...

I have some info - see the mail sent to me below for costs for all 3 braces!

Erik is the guy to speak to, ( www.advancedautosport.com ) becuse of the rarity of the GTA they are made to order and he doesn't have specific details. He believes however, that the tubes bend where required to negotiate such items as the boot liner but this is unconfirmed. He will try to contact the manufacturers and hopefully supply me with some diagrams.
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We offer three braces for the Alpine V6, front upper, front lower and rear upper. The two upper braces are made of aluminium and cost £169.00 each inc VAT & delivery, the lower front is made of steel and costs £99.00 inc VAT and delivery.
The braces will fit over the orginal fittings in most cases.
Delivery is approx 6 weeks as these are made to order.
Regards,
Erik

*****************************************************************
AAT Terms:~ Two thirds of total order value with placement of order, remaining third plus any delivery charge payable when order is ready for collection/delivery

ADVANCED AUTOSPORT TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
VOLKSWAGEN & MOTORSPORT SPECIALISTS

www.advancedautosport.com

Are you sure hes not trying to source them from the USA, and getting confused with the Renault GTA which is actually a Renault 11 overthere. Theres quite a few tuning bits for them.

David - no I know the awful car you mean but definitely the Alpine GTA check their website for details. Advancedautsport are resellers in this case - they are made by another company that makes racing components and roll cages hence the six week wait.

I would want to get more details on the design first but I think 3 strut braces would just about lock the car as solid as you could get it.

I don't know if you would want to contact them and sell through AlpineGFX?

If theres enough interest for this sort of thing, then I have certain people I use for stainless and alloy fabrication, and it would be alot cheaper than £170 I reckon. Problem is, I was looking at my GTA today and I still cant see how you can fit the strut brace with the liner still intact. In the Ress picture, the mounting plates sit very flat and the tube sits lower in between the turrets. With the liner in there is no gap inbetween the bonet and the liner, remember....theres the long rubber seal that seals the liner and bonnet when you close it..theres only about 15mm in height spare.

I'd buy them! If you fit the strut brace its gonna wreck the luggage capacity anyway so removing the liner will hardly be a hardship. Or take a Stanley knife to it! Anyone else?????

If you want a one off (or more) I can do it. Best to do it in steel, as aluminium ones are very pretty pretty, but dont really do as much. Ill have a look today and see whats involved, check theres no chopping of any bulkhead panels.