My latest project, pictures inside.

**u2nelson** · 03-04-2015 08:41 PM

A little project I've been working on. Parts are being cut on a CNC mill now. It may be simple but its a little more complicated than meets the eye.

**Dasquade** · 03-05-2015 07:15 AM

...and this is for?
Always interested in custom stuff, just hope it is car/audi related :)

**JamesRS5** · 03-05-2015 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by Dasquade

...and this is for?
Always interested in custom stuff, just hope it is car/audi related :)

Front strut brace?

**Mops@Nemesis** · 03-05-2015 08:25 AM

I knows what it is

**NoMojo31** · 03-05-2015 08:39 AM

Stripper pole for the back of an S5?

**JimWB** · 03-05-2015 09:11 AM

I carry my own stripper pole everywhere I go

**bknewtype** · 03-05-2015 09:13 AM

i am the stripper pole the chicks grind on

**Mops@Nemesis** · 03-05-2015 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by bknewtype

i am the stripper pole the chicks grind on

More like a small pipe

**ModdedEuros** · 03-05-2015 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Mops

More like a small pipe

**greenturbo** · 03-05-2015 02:18 PM

gopro/track-cam mount?

**u2nelson** · 03-05-2015 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Dasquade

...and this is for?
Always interested in custom stuff, just hope it is car/audi related :)

Originally Posted by JamesRS5

Front strut brace?

Originally Posted by Mops

I knows what it is

Def for Audi...B8 and B8.5

**Mops@Nemesis** · 03-05-2015 06:45 PM

Send mah! I'll paint it Avus :)

**u2nelson** · 03-05-2015 06:48 PM

Strut tower brace, installed behind forward firewall and hiding under the cowl panel.

**Mops@Nemesis** · 03-05-2015 06:55 PM

I've been excited for this. Nice work!

**u2nelson** · 03-05-2015 07:08 PM

I had to go a couple weeks without it, while the prototype was at the machine shop for measurements, and I could not wait to get one back on the car, I love it. Why did Audi not build this in?

**scottykenneth** · 03-05-2015 07:33 PM

Can really feel a diff?

**Nate B.** · 03-05-2015 08:48 PM

Can you explain to the less knowledgeable about what it does?

**u2nelson** · 03-05-2015 09:27 PM

The following should explain what the bar does. I can feel the difference, even on straight roads, but mostly on bumpy and curvey roads.

1. The Audi factory designed and produced (OEM) forward firewall reinforcement is only attached to solid structure in two locations, a single point on each end (B8.5). On B8 cars it is attached in a single location on passenger side, adding little rigidity to the strut towers. Additionally the OEM firewall reinforcement is relatively flexible, being stamped steel in an L configuration with intentional bends that increase flexibility. The single attachment locations and flimsy design of the OEM firewall reinforcement allows flexing to occur between the strut towers that effects steering input feel and precision in a negative manner.
2. The aluminum Strut tower Brace reinforces the forward firewall, significantly increasing the upper firewall stiffness. The brace reduces movement between the strut towers in 3 dimensions, improving the steering geometry and steering input precision. It’s a difference you can feel, particularly when cornering hard on a less than smooth road.
3. With the bar installed there is less chassis flexing, and a reduction in chassis creaking on uneven surfaces such as driveways and uneven pavement.

This is the OEM steel bar showing the single attach location on passenger side. The stud is there from the factory, but is not being used. Driver side is similar on my car. My guess is engineering intended to use 4 attachments, but later went to two after crash testing.

**Okan509** · 03-05-2015 10:15 PM

make one for the s4 please :D

**AUDIFREAK23** · 03-06-2015 05:08 AM

Originally Posted by u2nelson

I have 10 being produced now, should be ready by next week or so, but machine shop is busy with higher priority stuff, so they fit me in when they can. I'll release more details when they are ready in next week or two. Powder coat silver black or red will probably be the finish, but can be bare AL also.

I had to go a couple weeks without it, while the prototype was at the machine shop for measurements, and I could not wait to get one back on the car, I love it. Why did Audi not build this in?

Ill take one pleassseeeee!

**BladesBravo** · 03-06-2015 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by AUDIFREAK23

Ill take one pleassseeeee!

How much would it cost to get in on one of those 10?

**u2nelson** · 03-06-2015 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by BladesBravo

How much would it cost to get in on one of those 10?

Contact me off line, forum rules.

**Canadianwraith** · 03-06-2015 04:55 PM

Anodized instead of paint. All the aluminum that we machine gets it

**Mops@Nemesis** · 03-06-2015 07:17 PM

pricing. I agree with silver. I say Avus silver just because

**u2nelson** · 03-06-2015 09:48 PM

Avus

I'll ask again about anodizing, that is always better...I think the issue was the size of the chem tank, but someone else might have the stuff. Powder coat is pretty tough stuff and looks good too.

**TTALMS** · 03-06-2015 10:48 PM

If I'm not too late, I'd like to be in on one of the first 10. I'd actually like the natural aluminum look if it can be kept with anodizing or powder coating. Otherwise, black. But if Avus is the consensus, then I'd take that too.

**AudiYes** · 03-06-2015 11:02 PM

In for the initial bath!

**Scumbucket** · 03-07-2015 09:15 AM

What are the other slots and holes for?

**Dasquade** · 03-07-2015 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Scumbucket

What are the other slots and holes for?

Because...it looks OP decided to still use the original strut underneath his custom made one. Looking at the pictures, the stock strut has several bolt on it and bumps, so he needed to cut material out his strut to fit in place.

I havent looked at the strut in my car, but why are there so many bolts on it? (for fixing the cover or something?)
Wondering why you didn't completly removed stock strut. Fact is even with the stock AND adjusted custom to total will be more strong.
Makes me just bit worried it the strut is not to strong in its square shape....no twisting possible and fear a bit for the 2 (4?) stock bolts it is fixed too. Hope those not suffer from the twisting and cause metal fatigue on the bolts...and snap off (since they dont look too thick).

Never the less, very good job and considering making custom one myself (Europe - shippingcost).
May i ask if by any change you want to share measurements or drawings of it?
Thumbs up!!

**u2nelson** · 03-07-2015 07:12 PM

Yes that is exactly right, the stock steel bar is in place under the new AL one, and leaving it in place adds more strength. I did not want any permanent modifications to the car so that drove the notches and slots to clear a few protuberances including some nuts from the firewall side and another notch to clear the Master Brake cylinder mount. B8 cars have a few less issues, but the few extra holes are not visible on final install so it fits both models.

**diirk** · 04-03-2015 08:38 AM

Put me down for one....

**Sgibb16** · 04-03-2015 10:14 AM

I'm in for 1. I would say just coat it black in whatever finish. Not really a show off piece since its hidden under the cowl anyway.

**i1overice** · 04-03-2015 10:16 AM

Im interested in this too. Can't view pics yet

**diirk** · 04-03-2015 10:57 AM

I saw it on u2nelson's car last weekend. Even in raw aluminum it's barely noticeable. I'm down for black just to make it completely invisible.

**AbeViator** · 04-03-2015 11:16 AM

I'm interested in 1 as well. I think black would be good since its under the black cowling and would be a nice clean look. Let me know.

**diirk** · 06-01-2015 05:51 AM

Just installed mine. Noticed an increase in steering and quicker turn-in.
Worth it.

**lux** · 06-01-2015 09:57 AM

Waiting for mine :)

**u2nelson** · 06-03-2015 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by lux

Waiting for mine :)

OH yea

**chrissswww** · 06-06-2015 11:19 PM

Painted mine gold before install, I've tried red but looks pretty awkward.. Installation was very straight forward, took me ten minutes. I haven't had a chance to try it on the track but overall steering feels tighter and front end is a little stiffer, feels more like hydraulic steering to me.

Thanks James!

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