Im not keen on the design of the Sparco LE strut brace with its twists and bends, it doesn't really offer propper compression rigidity between the two suspension towers so I've gone and ordered a few new bits and bobs.

I know a few guys have this OMP brace fitted already;

OMP Brace Picture

Now this is a much more substantial strutbrace with a straight bar and double mounting points on the actual suspension top mount tower not like the LE brace that mounts to an auxilary mounting point so I think it will increase the front end rigidity. Its not designed for the 20vt but I know it fits as I've seen on a 20vt.

Im also going to trial a lower brace for the subframe; Lower Subframe Brace
Now this will be a trial fit as its not made for the coupe but Im quite sure it fits.
This lower brace wont be of the same quality as Nigels purpose designed lower brace and it has no adjustment but it will stiffen the subframe quite nicely if it fits ?

I'll report back if they fit and what I think.

The good part about these is they come in for under £100 for the pair including delivery

Jim, how big is your list of tested suspension mods, lol

Good Idea though. be intresting to see how much better than the oe one it is..

I wont sleep until I've tested everything !!


Well I might skip on the bouncy hydraulic gangsta stuff actually

Welding the subrame add consinderable stiffness to the suspension and not as dangerous as the lower brace (when you hit something)

If you could get it to fit, you should use a Tipo 16v one, uses all 3 mounting points on each suspension turret like this one

I've got the OMP brace, it's a bit wedge it in place but it does fit. Cheaper than Sparco.

Is that the 156 lower brace Jimbo? If so, and it fits, that would be handy, as I've been eyeing up a strut brace kit for the wife's Sportswagon, but am having difficulties justifying a lower brace for it. If I could split the kit and use that on the Coupe, I could kill two birds with one stone .

Phil

Well Phil, I've been having a chat with the guys at strutbracer.com and they are willing to do a group buy on both or just single bars, they are waiting for me to report back to them with my findings.
It is a 156 item that we fitted to my friends car the other day (Mick, I think you know him off the Alfa forum) the 156 subframe looked very familiar so I thought I'd offer it up to mine, looks to be a direct fit but I'll let you all know in a few days time.

Richard, I'm going to see if I can relocate the fuse boxes etc by spacing them out slightly so its not so much of a tight fit Do you have any photo's just out of interest ?

I forgot about the fuses, i've not got any photo's but do remember unclipping the bracket that holds the fuses.
They sit to the gap pretty secure so i've left it at that.

fitted my omp one last week easy to do ten min job,you have to undo the bracket that holds the fuses (one nut) and unclip the air con fuses.

also have to pull up on the wiring loom on the left hand side and push to one side.