Master Cylinder Brace

Mr_Snips · 06-29-2008, 07:30 PM

Is this a decent upgrade? will it make a noticeable difference in brake feel? Or should i just make my own?

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QuikWgn · 06-29-2008, 08:16 PM

Brake "feel" is greatly improved and it certainly helps to modulate the brakes if you disable the ABS while tracking. I wouldn't really advise making your own as there are some interesting fitment issues you will encounter already. People have their own preferences as far as brands go but the more attachment points the brace has and the stiffer the material the better. I would take a 3 point steel unit over a 2 point aluminum one if you get my meaning.

Mr_Snips · 06-29-2008, 08:18 PM

which one would you suggest? i've only seen the perrin unit

QuikWgn · 06-29-2008, 08:40 PM

Cusco=>http://www.jscspeed.com/wrx/brakes/cusco_bcs.htm
MRT=>http://www.mrtrally.com.au/shop/cart...rod_cat1=Brake
PDM Racing=>http://www.tarmac-usa.com/index.php?productID=426

Nukabe, GT-Spec, and Carbing makes one I think. i'd have to dig more.

fastwrx25 · 06-29-2008, 11:27 PM

get the cusco one. it has 3 anchor points spread out. perrin has basically 2

CharT · 06-30-2008, 01:38 AM

The Cusco one I just installed uses four bolts to attach to the side of strut tower. I already have Stoptech fixed calipers with stainless lines and the brace made a noticeable improvement to brake feel, but don't expect any performance benefits. This mod really depends on the preference of the driver, so people with brake fetishes will definitely think it's worth it. Install took less than 30 minutes. Don't waste any time messing with the bracket that holds the battery cable; remove it 'cause it won't fit with the Cusco brace.

DuckStu · 06-30-2008, 02:57 AM

Very noticable upgrade, (unlike braided brake lines which didn;t seem to make any difference.)

I got the Perrin one. Not a huge fan of Perrin products, but the Perin MCB is certainly the nicest one out there in terms of looks,..and at $60-65 is less than 1/2 the price of the Cusco one.

There are 3 bolts that hold the Perrin brace to the strut tower,..I suggest a big washer or a short length of angle iron to help spread out the force on the rear-most bolt.

Reebis · 06-30-2008, 03:42 PM

One of the members over on rs25 made some up for us GC boys. It stiffened up the brake pedal and made it "feel" much nicer. It's much easier to modulate the pedal during mid-corner adjustments now too. Worthwhile upgrade IMO.

Back Road Runner · 06-30-2008, 05:06 PM

I will also note the level of flex you experience from the firewall is directly correlated to the brake pedal effort you must physically exert to slow/stop the car. From this idea, we can see that using a grippier brake pad will require less pedal effort and have less sidewall flex. Less pedal effort also means less line pressure and less need/influence by steel lines vs oem. I would assume there is also less strain/wear on the entire brake system as well.

This is something to think about when deciding which upgrades you might want to opt for.

I will also say that you get improved braking feel from suspension bushings as well. Well, you just get better feel from the road overall. This correlates to better feel of the tire and feel for the the braking is actually doing. Plus, it will get rid of some of the suspension twist/flex associated with braking forces, so the braking force is more quickly and efficiently used.

This can also be applied to suspension, dampening, and the physical dynamic behavior of the car. If the car is stiffer and with less roll, braking and steering actions will occur more quickly and more precisely. With the very soft stock suspension, you get a lot of physical dive associated with the car. In this sense, you're braking but the car doesn't stop right away. It has to travel through this full range of movement until suspension compresses enough. This slow and ungangly process is also existent during small modulation of the brakes, making everything more delayed, vague, and less precise. So, bushings squish AND the car twists and bobs around to your inputs making everything a sloppy mess.

Again some things to think about...

I can't say anything specific about the master cylinder brace as I don't own one. I may in the future at some point, but I have opted for the above mentions for various reasons and have found positive results when correlating their influences towards braking as well as braking feel.

I'll say many people, well probably most everyone who's installed a MC brace seems to say they work very well and is a "noticeable" upgrade, unlike the mixed results from the brake lines. In this sense, it's more of a sure thing.

Turn in Concepts · 06-30-2008, 05:20 PM

I'll say this - we use them. We like them. And we don't even sell them.

Will that work for folks?

djerickd · 06-30-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckStu

Very noticable upgrade, (unlike braided brake lines which didn;t seem to make any difference.)

I got the Perrin one. Not a huge fan of Perrin products, but the Perin MCB is certainly the nicest one out there in terms of looks,..and at $60-65 is less than 1/2 the price of the Cusco one.
.

Wow the cusco is only $85 to begin with

Back Road Runner · 07-01-2008, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turn in Concepts

I'll say this - we use them. We like them. And we don't even sell them.

Will that work for folks?

Why aren't you selling them?

fastwrx25 · 07-01-2008, 06:13 AM

^^tic or kartboy should really make these.

QuikWgn · 07-01-2008, 06:21 AM

I wish Tom, Clint, Tony, Myles, and Shane made all the goodies we needed for our Scoobs, then I wouldn't have to deal with all the asshats that just sell parts and can't answer my tech questions.

Steverasman · 08-06-2008, 01:01 AM

Well i just bought the Perrin Brace, They failed to mention the fitment problems when i purchased the brace. I have to remove the fuel filter rentention bracket to install the brace, they told me to just install an inline fuel filter and ditch the OEM one. Anyone done this? Will just ANY inline due? Im hesitant to switch the fuel filter to an inline one. Anyone have advice on what to do?

RES_22 · 08-09-2008, 11:43 AM

I've tracked a lot of Subarus with all the aforementioned braces.

The CUSCO piece is my personal preference because it really does
offer the best pedal feel when you are hard on the brakes (i.e. if
you prefer ABS ENABLED).

If you go NO ABS... not much difference in feel between the braces.

And yes, Myles, Clint and Tom ought to get into the Mcly brace
business... they actually understand the difference between
functionality and bling-BS.

apexanimal · 08-09-2008, 04:02 PM

but i read that the cusco doesn't fit the 2.5i's...

would the perrin "fitment" issue be a problem with an rs?

STi-MAN · 08-09-2008, 04:07 PM

Cusco piece ftw! nice secure mounting.

Or you can get a carbing strut bar that has a integrated master cylinder brace.

QuikWgn · 08-09-2008, 05:27 PM

Ahah! I knew they made one but I couldn't find it as a standalone piece!

Turn in Concepts · 08-10-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STi-MAN

Cusco piece ftw! nice secure mounting.

Or you can get a carbing strut bar that has a integrated master cylinder brace.

Not a fan of theirs as I don't think it does a think. I have seen it in place before and was able to move the brace with my hand. Definitely not going to keep the NM from moving.

WejR20X · 08-19-2008, 08:22 PM

where would be the cheapest place to buy a cusco brace? does it get any cheaper than $85. I'm replacing my rotors/pads/and lines so i'm thinking of installing a brace while i'm at it.

wobbletop · 08-19-2008, 08:39 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LevgO...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLLi-...eature=related

If you get the Perrin, use a bigger washer on the rear bolt to spread the forces over more area to reduce flex. I have no experience with the other ones.

-Walter

Turn in Concepts · 08-19-2008, 09:36 PM

Umm...it isn't doing anything. The Cusco brace completely stops the MC from moving.

wobbletop · 08-19-2008, 11:25 PM

Agreed. I've had this discussion before, but I haven't seen video evidence that any cause less flex. (I'm a see-it-to-believe-it kind of guy).

Bariga · 08-19-2008, 11:59 PM

That perrin unit doesnt look like its hold it? wtf>?

06-29-2008, 07:30 PM	#1
Mr_Snips Scooby Specialist Member#: 152117 Join Date: Jun 2007 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Hills Have Eyes Vehicle: 2012 Ford F150 ECO White	Master Cylinder Brace Is this a decent upgrade? will it make a noticeable difference in brake feel? Or should i just make my own? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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06-29-2008, 08:16 PM	#2
QuikWgn Scooby Specialist Member#: 108557 Join Date: Feb 2006 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: King County Vehicle: 2003 PSM WRXWgn STG2 05 OBM LEGACY SDN	Brake "feel" is greatly improved and it certainly helps to modulate the brakes if you disable the ABS while tracking. I wouldn't really advise making your own as there are some interesting fitment issues you will encounter already. People have their own preferences as far as brands go but the more attachment points the brace has and the stiffer the material the better. I would take a 3 point steel unit over a 2 point aluminum one if you get my meaning.

06-29-2008, 08:18 PM	#3
Mr_Snips Scooby Specialist Member#: 152117 Join Date: Jun 2007 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Hills Have Eyes Vehicle: 2012 Ford F150 ECO White	which one would you suggest? i've only seen the perrin unit

06-29-2008, 08:40 PM	#4
QuikWgn Scooby Specialist Member#: 108557 Join Date: Feb 2006 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: King County Vehicle: 2003 PSM WRXWgn STG2 05 OBM LEGACY SDN	Cusco=>http://www.jscspeed.com/wrx/brakes/cusco_bcs.htm MRT=>http://www.mrtrally.com.au/shop/cart...rod_cat1=Brake PDM Racing=>http://www.tarmac-usa.com/index.php?productID=426 Nukabe, GT-Spec, and Carbing makes one I think. i'd have to dig more.

06-29-2008, 11:27 PM	#5
fastwrx25 Scooby Guru Member#: 126441 Join Date: Sep 2006 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: TPE Vehicle: 03 bugeye	get the cusco one. it has 3 anchor points spread out. perrin has basically 2

06-30-2008, 01:38 AM	#6
CharT Scooby Newbie Member#: 36117 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Vehicle: 2003 WRX Wagon WRB	The Cusco one I just installed uses four bolts to attach to the side of strut tower. I already have Stoptech fixed calipers with stainless lines and the brace made a noticeable improvement to brake feel, but don't expect any performance benefits. This mod really depends on the preference of the driver, so people with brake fetishes will definitely think it's worth it. Install took less than 30 minutes. Don't waste any time messing with the bracket that holds the battery cable; remove it 'cause it won't fit with the Cusco brace.

06-30-2008, 02:57 AM	#7
DuckStu Scooby Specialist Member#: 124060 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bloomfield Michigan Vehicle: 2004 WRX STI Silver	Very noticable upgrade, (unlike braided brake lines which didn;t seem to make any difference.) I got the Perrin one. Not a huge fan of Perrin products, but the Perin MCB is certainly the nicest one out there in terms of looks,..and at $60-65 is less than 1/2 the price of the Cusco one. There are 3 bolts that hold the Perrin brace to the strut tower,..I suggest a big washer or a short length of angle iron to help spread out the force on the rear-most bolt.

06-30-2008, 03:42 PM	#8
Reebis Scooby Newbie Member#: 126157 Join Date: Sep 2006 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Plainfield, IL Vehicle: '17 BRZ Limited PP WRB	One of the members over on rs25 made some up for us GC boys. It stiffened up the brake pedal and made it "feel" much nicer. It's much easier to modulate the pedal during mid-corner adjustments now too. Worthwhile upgrade IMO.

06-30-2008, 05:06 PM	#9
Back Road Runner Scooby Guru Member#: 60082 Join Date: Apr 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Minnesota Vehicle: 2004 Forester STI Silver	I will also note the level of flex you experience from the firewall is directly correlated to the brake pedal effort you must physically exert to slow/stop the car. From this idea, we can see that using a grippier brake pad will require less pedal effort and have less sidewall flex. Less pedal effort also means less line pressure and less need/influence by steel lines vs oem. I would assume there is also less strain/wear on the entire brake system as well. This is something to think about when deciding which upgrades you might want to opt for. I will also say that you get improved braking feel from suspension bushings as well. Well, you just get better feel from the road overall. This correlates to better feel of the tire and feel for the the braking is actually doing. Plus, it will get rid of some of the suspension twist/flex associated with braking forces, so the braking force is more quickly and efficiently used. This can also be applied to suspension, dampening, and the physical dynamic behavior of the car. If the car is stiffer and with less roll, braking and steering actions will occur more quickly and more precisely. With the very soft stock suspension, you get a lot of physical dive associated with the car. In this sense, you're braking but the car doesn't stop right away. It has to travel through this full range of movement until suspension compresses enough. This slow and ungangly process is also existent during small modulation of the brakes, making everything more delayed, vague, and less precise. So, bushings squish AND the car twists and bobs around to your inputs making everything a sloppy mess. Again some things to think about... I can't say anything specific about the master cylinder brace as I don't own one. I may in the future at some point, but I have opted for the above mentions for various reasons and have found positive results when correlating their influences towards braking as well as braking feel. I'll say many people, well probably most everyone who's installed a MC brace seems to say they work very well and is a "noticeable" upgrade, unlike the mixed results from the brake lines. In this sense, it's more of a sure thing.

06-30-2008, 05:20 PM	#10
Turn in Concepts Former Vendor Member#: 93646 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Vehicle: Many Track Records Let us help you go fast!	I'll say this - we use them. We like them. And we don't even sell them. Will that work for folks?

07-01-2008, 06:13 AM	#13
fastwrx25 Scooby Guru Member#: 126441 Join Date: Sep 2006 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: TPE Vehicle: 03 bugeye	^^tic or kartboy should really make these.

07-01-2008, 06:21 AM	#14
QuikWgn Scooby Specialist Member#: 108557 Join Date: Feb 2006 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: King County Vehicle: 2003 PSM WRXWgn STG2 05 OBM LEGACY SDN	I wish Tom, Clint, Tony, Myles, and Shane made all the goodies we needed for our Scoobs, then I wouldn't have to deal with all the asshats that just sell parts and can't answer my tech questions.

08-06-2008, 01:01 AM	#15
Steverasman Scooby Newbie Member#: 186184 Join Date: Aug 2008 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: West Jordan Utah Vehicle: 2002 WRX Silver	Well i just bought the Perrin Brace, They failed to mention the fitment problems when i purchased the brace. I have to remove the fuel filter rentention bracket to install the brace, they told me to just install an inline fuel filter and ditch the OEM one. Anyone done this? Will just ANY inline due? Im hesitant to switch the fuel filter to an inline one. Anyone have advice on what to do?

08-09-2008, 11:43 AM	#16
RES_22 Scooby Newbie Member#: 162318 Join Date: Oct 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Moncton, NB Vehicle: 2003 WRX 'OLS' (On Life Support)	I've tracked a lot of Subarus with all the aforementioned braces. The CUSCO piece is my personal preference because it really does offer the best pedal feel when you are hard on the brakes (i.e. if you prefer ABS ENABLED). If you go NO ABS... not much difference in feel between the braces. And yes, Myles, Clint and Tom ought to get into the Mcly brace business... they actually understand the difference between functionality and bling-BS.

08-09-2008, 04:02 PM	#17
apexanimal Scooby Newbie Member#: 170186 Join Date: Jan 2008 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Comstock Park, MI Vehicle: 08 Fit Blue	but i read that the cusco doesn't fit the 2.5i's... would the perrin "fitment" issue be a problem with an rs?

08-09-2008, 04:07 PM	#18
STi-MAN Scooby Guru Member#: 70252 Join Date: Sep 2004 Vehicle: 05 STI blue	Cusco piece ftw! nice secure mounting. Or you can get a carbing strut bar that has a integrated master cylinder brace.

08-09-2008, 05:27 PM	#19
QuikWgn Scooby Specialist Member#: 108557 Join Date: Feb 2006 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: King County Vehicle: 2003 PSM WRXWgn STG2 05 OBM LEGACY SDN	Ahah! I knew they made one but I couldn't find it as a standalone piece!

08-19-2008, 08:22 PM	#21
WejR20X Scooby Specialist Member#: 58101 Join Date: Mar 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: MI/NJ Vehicle: 2002 WRX PSM	where would be the cheapest place to buy a cusco brace? does it get any cheaper than $85. I'm replacing my rotors/pads/and lines so i'm thinking of installing a brace while i'm at it.

08-19-2008, 08:39 PM	#22
wobbletop Scooby Specialist Member#: 11652 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Ontario, Canada Vehicle: '18 Focus RS Red '70 Porsche 914/6	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LevgO...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLLi-...eature=related If you get the Perrin, use a bigger washer on the rear bolt to spread the forces over more area to reduce flex. I have no experience with the other ones. -Walter

08-19-2008, 09:36 PM	#23
Turn in Concepts Former Vendor Member#: 93646 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Vehicle: Many Track Records Let us help you go fast!	Umm...it isn't doing anything. The Cusco brace completely stops the MC from moving.

08-19-2008, 11:25 PM	#24
wobbletop Scooby Specialist Member#: 11652 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Ontario, Canada Vehicle: '18 Focus RS Red '70 Porsche 914/6	Agreed. I've had this discussion before, but I haven't seen video evidence that any cause less flex. (I'm a see-it-to-believe-it kind of guy).

08-19-2008, 11:59 PM	#25
Bariga Scooby Specialist Member#: 179846 Join Date: May 2008 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Renton, WA Vehicle: 07 STi Limited EFR 8374 TS EWG	That perrin unit doesnt look like its hold it? wtf>?