Jonnie Fraz's brace review for premies first. - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

s13silvia123 · 05-24-2007, 10:39 PM

my first impression of the quality and handling.

the quality of the brace is awesome. i didnt expect much cause i knew that Jonnie would do a great job. craftsmanship is one of the best i've ever seen for a long time. great work and very proffesional of what Jonnie have done.

first of all the handling is great. with every little change there is in my motor or my suspension i can feel the difference. feels more solid. i can turn just a little better at corners. feels great guys much more solid than without having one. it has a easier feeling and more solid when drivng without that much chasis flexing.

this was tested in the streets with normal driving. "have break in the clutch cause its new." sorry i wont be on the track til next month cause there is no opening day over here til then cause i miss two track days already.

now the cons just need a minor change or improvement

the only thing that i thought needs a minor change was the anti crush spacers. its needs to be more solid completely instead of being mostly hollow all the way through.

one suggestion that the anti crush spacers should either have a washer on each side of the tubes or either needs to be more solid.

now the antispacers was easy to install but moves when you put the bolts on and doesnt align straight so i had to adjust when putting it on. this is why it need to have the washer on each end of the tubes before you insert them.

basic installation not very hard at all. i didnt even look on Zilvia here to install the brace. its common sense that you should know how to install it. but then again for the idiots yeah they need a manual to install it.

over all

i would recommend this to everyone. i love mine. its just the same as the Nismo power brace. just that its cheaper and better than those cheap braces you see on Egay. its the right price anyone who's on a budget. for its price its awesome. i gurantee you that the brace is the quality of craftmanship from a pro.

thanks for reading guys and gals

PM Jonnie Fraz if you want it.

but he can only make a few at a time so wait for it and be patient cause he's the only person who is fabricating it

go buy it now!!!!!!

5t341tH · 05-25-2007, 01:06 AM

thanks for the review. i was thinkin about pickin up a set.
btw, would it work if the bracket? was bent? the bracket im talkin about is the one holding the tension rods in at the pillowball

s13silvia123 · 05-25-2007, 02:58 AM

it should work but you'll have to fix it if its bent.

TipStylez · 05-25-2007, 03:52 AM

any pics of it installed or prices?

axiomatik · 05-25-2007, 10:51 AM

Sweet, it comes with a torque wrench and end wrench as well! That is an awesome deal. j/k

Would like to see installed pics, craftsmanship looks great.

s13silvia123 · 05-25-2007, 12:14 PM

damn too late i dont really feel like jacking my car up but i might as well i'll do it in a at least 2 hours or so from now.

Rittmeister · 05-25-2007, 12:48 PM

Mine should arrive today... I'm looking forward to trying it out.

s13silvia123 · 05-25-2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rittmeister

Mine should arrive today... I'm looking forward to trying it out.

i'm the first one to have it and tested it besides Jonnie's buddy. you'll love it and the quality of it. the craftsmanship is awesome enjoy the brace.

slider2828 · 05-25-2007, 03:45 PM

So basically this is the tension arm brace i looks like. How much was it? Is it better than the nismo brace? etc etc?

s13silvia123 · 05-25-2007, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slider2828

So basically this is the tension arm brace i looks like. How much was it? Is it better than the nismo brace? etc etc?

its the same as the nismo power brace.

since your a premie go check out the price on the premie section you know where to find it.

*Jonnie Fraz* · 05-25-2007, 06:48 PM

Thank you very much for the kind words...To answer some of the questions.
1. "Will it work if the tension arm bracket is bent?"
I would have to ask "How bent?" if the sides are crunched in a bit use a big pair of channel locks and try to get it as straight as possable. Being that this brace sandwiches the outside plates with the anticrush spacers and then to the cross brace it makes a pretty solid connection, and may straighten out your bent brackets.
2. "Any pics installed?"
There are a couple on my "group buy thread" if you don't mind my dirty under carrage.
3."prices?"
I have prices on my Group buy thread also (link on my sig). Preemie price is worth the upgrade if you were looking to do so...You won't be bummed.
4."How does it compare to Nismo?"
Nismo puts out a great product. As well as several other companies that tie the tension arm brackets together.
I built mine so you would not have to remove the whole front end to install it, and then get it all aligned again. It is a very simple bolt on...takes about half an hour.
5. Nobody asked this one, but they will..."How much to shipp to XXXXX?"
I have shipped them all over the Contenential US and it ranges from $8.00- $15.00. Hawaii was Expensive $40.00.

If you have any questions feel free to pm me.
I will be fabbing all weekend until I run out of material...Trying to keep up.

Thank again
Jonnie

mestizo · 05-25-2007, 06:54 PM

Jon is the man! He stands behind his stuff and it is great quality!

Irukandji · 05-25-2007, 07:05 PM

My brackets were bent pretty bad. The brace still fit, but I'm thinking about picking up some spare braces and reinstalling

tknbkthrsdy4anfg · 05-25-2007, 07:27 PM

Jon's power brace is awesome, he helped me instal it and I have alot more confidence with my front end during high speed turns. its also feels like it turns in better.

s13silvia123 · 05-26-2007, 01:00 AM

yeah guys jonnie's brace is awesome and great. to the comparison to the Nismo power brace its about the same. works the same feels solid as the same as Nismo's.

and Jonnie thanks for the brace i knew you would come through. as great as the craftsmanship of your brace and your other stuff you made. i'll say

Awesome Job

s13silvia123 · 05-26-2007, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonnie Fraz

Thank you very much for the kind words...To answer some of the questions.
1. "Will it work if the tension arm bracket is bent?"
I would have to ask "How bent?" if the sides are crunched in a bit use a big pair of channel locks and try to get it as straight as possable. Being that this brace sandwiches the outside plates with the anticrush spacers and then to the cross brace it makes a pretty solid connection, and may straighten out your bent brackets.
2. "Any pics installed?"
There are a couple on my "group buy thread" if you don't mind my dirty under carrage.
3."prices?"
I have prices on my Group buy thread also (link on my sig). Preemie price is worth the upgrade if you were looking to do so...You won't be bummed.
4."How does it compare to Nismo?"
Nismo puts out a great product. As well as several other companies that tie the tension arm brackets together.
I built mine so you would not have to remove the whole front end to install it, and then get it all aligned again. It is a very simple bolt on...takes about half an hour.
5. Nobody asked this one, but they will..."How much to shipp to XXXXX?"
I have shipped them all over the Contenential US and it ranges from $8.00- $15.00. Hawaii was Expensive $40.00.

If you have any questions feel free to pm me.
I will be fabbing all weekend until I run out of material...Trying to keep up.

Thank again
Jonnie

Jonnie sorry i havent have the time to take pics as of yet Please be patient i'm busy this whole weekend and all running errands back and forth and taking care of what i have to help my parents out but i should have the pics by Sunday or by Monday.

slider2828 · 05-28-2007, 11:59 AM

Hey Everyone:
I had a chance to swing by Jonnie's place after reading all the good reviews to pick one up Memorial Day. He is an awesome guy and some cool chats, it was pretty awesome.

After the installation I thought I should write a review too. My current setup is ST Sways all around, with megan coils track version, polyu tension rods, built SR, 300zx fronts on stock rears with new brake booster, upper STB on front and Cusco Triangle rear all running on Kumho SPT's. The initial driving impression was great. It took a lot of slop out of the front end and does turn in better. I think it is more noticeable with sways. Another I am not sure people wrote about was that it took the bite out of bumps more. Meaning it helped the chassis absorb the bumps a little more, so when I hit a bump on the freeway, there is less of a hopping motion and the car settles down more. So I would totally recommend it to anyone who has done it yet.

Thanks again Jonnie. Do you still need install pictures? I'll get you pictures of the sill brace this week.

Rittmeister · 05-28-2007, 12:23 PM

My own review:

Good part. Buy one. That is all.

Seriously, I felt that the brace firmed up the front end of the car a good bit. Steering feels more solid. It cleared my ST swaybar (I was concerned about it) and there's about 1/2" of space the whole way across, so no problems there. Install was easy; fitment was a little weird but it was entirely the fault of my car not being entirely square and had nothing to do with Jonnie's part. Once I got things jimmied/bent back where they should be it went right in.

Verdict: buy this part. At $90 before shipping it's well worth it and is so far below the Nismo brace's price that buying the Nismo part seems kind of silly.

BOROSUN · 05-28-2007, 12:26 PM

get some pics up...

slider2828 · 05-28-2007, 02:35 PM

I will tonight if pics are still needed and looks like they are

*Jonnie Fraz* · 05-28-2007, 05:13 PM

Ok here we go...You guys ask and you shall receive.
First...No I am not trying to be like "Top Secret" Painting it gold...lol It shows up better in the pics.
Second...I did clean up my undercarrage a little before taking pics.

This next pic shows the clearance between the cross bar and the anti-sway bar.

This one shows the welds pretty good.

If there are any more questions feel free to ask.

Thanks
Jonnie

ixfxi · 05-28-2007, 06:13 PM

hey................. hey......... psssssssst...

i have a NISMO brace....

this thing doesnt compare... because my NISMO bar is far superior.

just joking.

it looks nice.. very nice indeed sir.

s13silvia123 · 05-29-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonnie Fraz

Ok here we go...You guys ask and you shall receive.
First...No I am not trying to be like "Top Secret" Painting it gold...lol It shows up better in the pics.
Second...I did clean up my undercarrage a little before taking pics.

This next pic shows the clearance between the cross bar and the anti-sway bar.

This one shows the welds pretty good.

If there are any more questions feel free to ask.

Thanks
Jonnie

thanks for putting the pics on jonnie i was gonna put them on put you've already put them on.

GKTECH · 06-12-2007, 07:35 PM

These look great.

I just ordered one and I'm all the way in Australia!!

MavericStephenc · 06-12-2007, 07:49 PM

do you have one for the s14?

slider2828 · 06-12-2007, 08:07 PM

Yah man great quality and I love them. Really good price and really improves handling and settles the chassis down better. I think he is still fabbing for a S14. I saw 2 prototypes while I was there, but I think you have to PM him or post here.

hondanissan · 11-02-2007, 12:46 AM

Hows the process with the S14 brace? Man do I want one of these...but i'm tempted to get a nismo brace cuz I need one like NOW.

GabeS14 · 11-02-2007, 04:45 AM

Looks like a good product!
Ill be waiting to hear about the progress for the S14 model.

vvtisupra · 11-02-2007, 10:09 AM

why's the water temp sensor on the lower hose ?

kouki_s14 · 11-02-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vvtisupra

why's the water temp sensor on the lower hose ?

i believe single cams came that way

05-24-2007, 10:39 PM	#1
s13silvia123 Post Whore! Join Date: May 2006 Location: where waldo is Age: 42 Posts: 3,266 Trader Rating: (16) Feedback Score: 16 reviews	Jonnie Fraz's brace review my first impression of the quality and handling. the quality of the brace is awesome. i didnt expect much cause i knew that Jonnie would do a great job. craftsmanship is one of the best i've ever seen for a long time. great work and very proffesional of what Jonnie have done. first of all the handling is great. with every little change there is in my motor or my suspension i can feel the difference. feels more solid. i can turn just a little better at corners. feels great guys much more solid than without having one. it has a easier feeling and more solid when drivng without that much chasis flexing. this was tested in the streets with normal driving. "have break in the clutch cause its new." sorry i wont be on the track til next month cause there is no opening day over here til then cause i miss two track days already. now the cons just need a minor change or improvement the only thing that i thought needs a minor change was the anti crush spacers. its needs to be more solid completely instead of being mostly hollow all the way through. one suggestion that the anti crush spacers should either have a washer on each side of the tubes or either needs to be more solid. now the antispacers was easy to install but moves when you put the bolts on and doesnt align straight so i had to adjust when putting it on. this is why it need to have the washer on each end of the tubes before you insert them. basic installation not very hard at all. i didnt even look on Zilvia here to install the brace. its common sense that you should know how to install it. but then again for the idiots yeah they need a manual to install it. over all i would recommend this to everyone. i love mine. its just the same as the Nismo power brace. just that its cheaper and better than those cheap braces you see on Egay. its the right price anyone who's on a budget. for its price its awesome. i gurantee you that the brace is the quality of craftmanship from a pro. thanks for reading guys and gals PM Jonnie Fraz if you want it. but he can only make a few at a time so wait for it and be patient cause he's the only person who is fabricating it go buy it now!!!!!! __________________ 18g and 20g turbo users click on me http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/261219-18g-20g-turbo-users.html

05-25-2007, 01:06 AM	#2
5t341tH Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: socal (Huntington Beach) Age: 35 Posts: 2,787 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	thanks for the review. i was thinkin about pickin up a set. btw, would it work if the bracket? was bent? the bracket im talkin about is the one holding the tension rods in at the pillowball __________________ lexus baby

05-25-2007, 02:58 AM	#3
s13silvia123 Post Whore! Join Date: May 2006 Location: where waldo is Age: 42 Posts: 3,266 Trader Rating: (16) Feedback Score: 16 reviews	it should work but you'll have to fix it if its bent. __________________ 18g and 20g turbo users click on me http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/261219-18g-20g-turbo-users.html

05-25-2007, 10:51 AM	#5
axiomatik Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: ATL Posts: 4,697 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sweet, it comes with a torque wrench and end wrench as well! That is an awesome deal. j/k Would like to see installed pics, craftsmanship looks great. __________________

05-25-2007, 12:14 PM	#6
s13silvia123 Post Whore! Join Date: May 2006 Location: where waldo is Age: 42 Posts: 3,266 Trader Rating: (16) Feedback Score: 16 reviews	damn too late i dont really feel like jacking my car up but i might as well i'll do it in a at least 2 hours or so from now. __________________ 18g and 20g turbo users click on me http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/261219-18g-20g-turbo-users.html

05-25-2007, 03:52 AM	#4
TipStylez Zilvia Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 918 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	any pics of it installed or prices?

05-25-2007, 12:48 PM	#7
Rittmeister Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cincinnati OH Age: 47 Posts: 1,033 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	Mine should arrive today... I'm looking forward to trying it out. __________________ E36 M3 - new project 1990 240SR - screamed down the road

05-25-2007, 03:45 PM	#9
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,998 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	So basically this is the tension arm brace i looks like. How much was it? Is it better than the nismo brace? etc etc?

05-25-2007, 06:48 PM	#11
Jonnie Fraz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cali Age: 55 Posts: 1,371 Trader Rating: (29) Rides Gallery: Jonnie Fraz Feedback Score: 29 reviews	Thank you very much for the kind words...To answer some of the questions. 1. "Will it work if the tension arm bracket is bent?" I would have to ask "How bent?" if the sides are crunched in a bit use a big pair of channel locks and try to get it as straight as possable. Being that this brace sandwiches the outside plates with the anticrush spacers and then to the cross brace it makes a pretty solid connection, and may straighten out your bent brackets. 2. "Any pics installed?" There are a couple on my "group buy thread" if you don't mind my dirty under carrage. 3."prices?" I have prices on my Group buy thread also (link on my sig). Preemie price is worth the upgrade if you were looking to do so...You won't be bummed. 4."How does it compare to Nismo?" Nismo puts out a great product. As well as several other companies that tie the tension arm brackets together. I built mine so you would not have to remove the whole front end to install it, and then get it all aligned again. It is a very simple bolt on...takes about half an hour. 5. Nobody asked this one, but they will..."How much to shipp to XXXXX?" I have shipped them all over the Contenential US and it ranges from $8.00- $15.00. Hawaii was Expensive $40.00. If you have any questions feel free to pm me. I will be fabbing all weekend until I run out of material...Trying to keep up. Thank again Jonnie __________________ Stealth-Custom-Fab.com

05-25-2007, 06:54 PM	#12
mestizo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 360 Trader Rating: (8) Feedback Score: 8 reviews	Jon is the man! He stands behind his stuff and it is great quality!

05-25-2007, 07:05 PM	#13
Irukandji Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Compton Posts: 4,268 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My brackets were bent pretty bad. The brace still fit, but I'm thinking about picking up some spare braces and reinstalling

05-26-2007, 01:00 AM	#15
s13silvia123 Post Whore! Join Date: May 2006 Location: where waldo is Age: 42 Posts: 3,266 Trader Rating: (16) Feedback Score: 16 reviews	yeah guys jonnie's brace is awesome and great. to the comparison to the Nismo power brace its about the same. works the same feels solid as the same as Nismo's. and Jonnie thanks for the brace i knew you would come through. as great as the craftsmanship of your brace and your other stuff you made. i'll say Awesome Job __________________ 18g and 20g turbo users click on me http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/261219-18g-20g-turbo-users.html

05-28-2007, 11:59 AM	#17
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,998 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	Hey Everyone: I had a chance to swing by Jonnie's place after reading all the good reviews to pick one up Memorial Day. He is an awesome guy and some cool chats, it was pretty awesome. After the installation I thought I should write a review too. My current setup is ST Sways all around, with megan coils track version, polyu tension rods, built SR, 300zx fronts on stock rears with new brake booster, upper STB on front and Cusco Triangle rear all running on Kumho SPT's. The initial driving impression was great. It took a lot of slop out of the front end and does turn in better. I think it is more noticeable with sways. Another I am not sure people wrote about was that it took the bite out of bumps more. Meaning it helped the chassis absorb the bumps a little more, so when I hit a bump on the freeway, there is less of a hopping motion and the car settles down more. So I would totally recommend it to anyone who has done it yet. Thanks again Jonnie. Do you still need install pictures? I'll get you pictures of the sill brace this week.

05-28-2007, 12:23 PM	#18
Rittmeister Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cincinnati OH Age: 47 Posts: 1,033 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	My own review: Good part. Buy one. That is all. Seriously, I felt that the brace firmed up the front end of the car a good bit. Steering feels more solid. It cleared my ST swaybar (I was concerned about it) and there's about 1/2" of space the whole way across, so no problems there. Install was easy; fitment was a little weird but it was entirely the fault of my car not being entirely square and had nothing to do with Jonnie's part. Once I got things jimmied/bent back where they should be it went right in. Verdict: buy this part. At $90 before shipping it's well worth it and is so far below the Nismo brace's price that buying the Nismo part seems kind of silly. __________________ E36 M3 - new project 1990 240SR - screamed down the road

05-28-2007, 12:26 PM	#19
BOROSUN Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: two legit to quit Age: 43 Posts: 5,236 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	get some pics up...

05-28-2007, 02:35 PM	#20
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,998 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	I will tonight if pics are still needed and looks like they are

05-28-2007, 05:13 PM	#21
Jonnie Fraz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cali Age: 55 Posts: 1,371 Trader Rating: (29) Rides Gallery: Jonnie Fraz Feedback Score: 29 reviews	Install pics Ok here we go...You guys ask and you shall receive. First...No I am not trying to be like "Top Secret" Painting it gold...lol It shows up better in the pics. Second...I did clean up my undercarrage a little before taking pics. This next pic shows the clearance between the cross bar and the anti-sway bar. This one shows the welds pretty good. If there are any more questions feel free to ask. Thanks Jonnie __________________ Stealth-Custom-Fab.com

05-28-2007, 06:13 PM	#22
ixfxi Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: bangin on my chest Account: BANNED #fucksupreme Age: 82 Posts: 5,932 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	hey................. hey......... psssssssst... i have a NISMO brace.... this thing doesnt compare... because my NISMO bar is far superior. just joking. it looks nice.. very nice indeed sir.

06-12-2007, 07:35 PM	#24
GKTECH Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia + Albuquerque, NM, USA Posts: 306 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	These look great. I just ordered one and I'm all the way in Australia!! __________________ USA Warehouse now open www.gktech.com.au

06-12-2007, 07:49 PM	#25
MavericStephenc Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: salem mass. Age: 36 Posts: 830 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	do you have one for the s14?

06-12-2007, 08:07 PM	#26
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,998 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	Yah man great quality and I love them. Really good price and really improves handling and settles the chassis down better. I think he is still fabbing for a S14. I saw 2 prototypes while I was there, but I think you have to PM him or post here.

11-02-2007, 12:46 AM	#27
hondanissan Leaky Injector Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: ca Posts: 123 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Hows the process with the S14 brace? Man do I want one of these...but i'm tempted to get a nismo brace cuz I need one like NOW.

11-02-2007, 04:45 AM	#28
GabeS14 Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sin City Las Vegas Posts: 4,521 Trader Rating: (27) Rides Gallery: GabeS14 Feedback Score: 27 reviews	Looks like a good product! Ill be waiting to hear about the progress for the S14 model. __________________ E92 M3 19" wheels for sale///JWT Cams and Springs +30whp for sale... cheap.

11-02-2007, 10:09 AM	#29
vvtisupra Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: SB and OC Posts: 2,118 Trader Rating: (16) Feedback Score: 16 reviews	why's the water temp sensor on the lower hose ? __________________ http://www.fuckdrama.com/