OEM+ -S15 Spec R braces in S14

[Fitelite240!!]

I began acquiring all the oem jap Spec-R braces about a year into owning my s14. Being new and wide-eyed to the s-chassis platform I was bold and stupid. I was fascinated about having them and using them rather than getting a cage.

This thread is to display what doesn't work and what does, without too much headache.

So we have these that came from factory on the top tiered Spec-R s15's I'm sure they came on a few other models, I'm just not 100% sure: - Keep in mind. All these braces are a bolt-on affair for the S15 chassis.

Spec-R - Front ladder brace
Spec-R - Rear subframe brace
Spec-R - Roof Brace
Spec-R - Trunk Brace
Spec-R - Trunk Triangles
Spec-R - B-Pillar braces
Spec-R - A-Pillar plate braces
Spec-R - C-Pillar plate braces
Spec-R - Front Strut Braces Plates
Spec-R - Rear Strut Brace Plates

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Spec-R - Rear Subframe brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/rc2QqMg

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - https://ibb.co/xqQCB8r

How can we make it fit in an s14? Very easy bolt-in affair. Just don't use the s14 subframe bolt plates the brace replaces those plates.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - Roof brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/CQgjjRY

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - https://ibb.co/7XFmMLz -
https://ibb.co/KWdzZs5

How can we make it fit in an s14? Don't - Use the factory bolts with the Moonface roofbrace. Otherwise you'll cut into your good metal roof and cut into a rare-ish piece.

S14 roof factory bolts holes - https://ibb.co/0Bxtqv4
https://ibb.co/phrVPMy

Moonface roof brace - https://ibb.co/0nPJpdY
https://ibb.co/YDfhD7w

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - Front ladder brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/7YB0qHB - https://ibb.co/R0Gj5Rb

Here's how it can fit on an s14.

How can we make it fit in an s14?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - Trunk brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/23RTMC4

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - https://ibb.co/3p6XLBk

How can we make it fit in an s14? An easy bolt-in affair with our own Zilvian Bernie(Nova) making spacers in conjunction with hardware for the brace.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - Trunk Triangles

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/DGR1fHF

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - https://ibb.co/C1H3CHb -
https://ibb.co/tzZhzF3

How can we make it fit in an s14? With a drill, couple bolts, washers, and a hammer. Just make sure you drop your gas tank first before drilling otherwise you'll have a whole other headache. Also make sure the bolts aren't too long to rub against the gas tank when re-installed. Some light massaging of the trunk sheet metal will be required to flatten it for a flush bolting surface.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - B-Pillar brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/10VMSmZ

Here's how it can fit on an s14.- https://ibb.co/pvGvd30
https://ibb.co/D54pjwv
https://ibb.co/tcFQBMq
https://ibb.co/s2jPWnY

How can we make it fit in an s14? Don't - unless you are planning to have no rear seats. If the rear seats aren't used and the car is going to be a designated track car of some sort you can cut the plates and body to fit. But, these are not a bolt-in affair and will be in the way of the interior panels and seat bolt mounts if you plan on running those oem s14 pieces.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - A-Pillar Plate Brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - Not Pictured

Here's how it can fit on an s14.

How can we make it fit in an s14?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - C-Pillar Plate Brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/WfJZxH2

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - No picture

How can we make it fit in an s14? - There's no way this will fit due to the body being a different shape.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - Front Strut Plate Brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/XzxCfvC

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - Sits on the top of the top hat when installed from under in the wheel well.

How can we make it fit in an s14? Easy drop on plate to the coilovers or strut.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - Rear Strut Plate Brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/yhpz2ST

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - I truly don't see these fitting at all. How they are shaped it would need cutting

How can we make it fit in an s14? Don't, get a rear strut bar of some sort which would do the same thing while aiding in rear rigidity.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll be updating this overtime with more pictures of the pieces as I start mocking them up on the s14.

[LoSt180]

Good info here, wish I could find more pictures of the b-pillar braces in an S15. Like how is the seat belts mounted in that chassis? Wanted to try to attempt to get those installed in my S14.

The front ladder brace would be a good find. The frame rails look similar, wonder if it's as simple as popping in some rivnuts and bolting that thing up.

[Fitelite240!!]

Originally Posted by LoSt180

Good info here, wish I could find more pictures of the b-pillar braces in an S15. Like how is the seat belts mounted in that chassis? Wanted to try to attempt to get those installed in my S14.

The front ladder brace would be a good find. The frame rails look similar, wonder if it's as simple as popping in some rivnuts and bolting that thing up.

As far as the ladder bar, From what I could see. - I haven't worked on my car in a little since starting my business. But, I was going to cut the metal out of the frame. Get a solid small cube of steel and weld it in, drill a hole in the cube big enough for the bolt to go through. Helicoil it and locktite on the threads when I install the bar fully.

For the B-pillars eh, Im thinking of just making my own. same thing with the C-pillars

[dru721]

Originally Posted by Fitelite240!!

I began acquiring all the oem jap Spec-R braces about a year into owning my s14. Being new and wide-eyed to the s-chassis platform I was bold and stupid. I was fascinated about having them and using them rather than getting a cage.

This thread is to display what doesn't work and what does, without too much headache.

So we have these that came from factory on the top tiered Spec-R s15's I'm sure they came on a few other models, I'm just not 100% sure: - Keep in mind. All these braces are a bolt-on affair for the S15 chassis.

Spec-R - Front ladder brace
Spec-R - Rear subframe brace
Spec-R - Roof Brace
Spec-R - Trunk Brace
Spec-R - Trunk Triangles
Spec-R - B-Pillar braces
Spec-R - A-Pillar plate braces
Spec-R - C-Pillar plate braces
Spec-R - Front Strut Braces Plates
Spec-R - Rear Strut Brace Plates

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - Rear Subframe brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/rc2QqMg

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - https://ibb.co/xqQCB8r

How can we make it fit in an s14? Very easy bolt-in affair. Just don't use the s14 subframe bolt plates the brace replaces those plates.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - Roof brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/CQgjjRY

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - https://ibb.co/7XFmMLz -
https://ibb.co/KWdzZs5

How can we make it fit in an s14? Don't - Use the factory bolts with the Moonface roofbrace. Otherwise you'll cut into your good metal roof and cut into a rare-ish piece.

S14 roof factory bolts holes - https://ibb.co/0Bxtqv4
https://ibb.co/phrVPMy

Moonface roof brace - https://ibb.co/0nPJpdY
https://ibb.co/YDfhD7w

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - Front ladder brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/7YB0qHB - https://ibb.co/R0Gj5Rb

Here's how it can fit on an s14.

How can we make it fit in an s14?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - Trunk brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/23RTMC4

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - https://ibb.co/3p6XLBk

How can we make it fit in an s14? An easy bolt-in affair with our own Zilvian Bernie(Nova) making spacers in conjunction with hardware for the brace.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - Trunk Triangles

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/DGR1fHF

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - https://ibb.co/C1H3CHb -
https://ibb.co/tzZhzF3

How can we make it fit in an s14? With a drill, couple bolts, washers, and a hammer. Just make sure you drop your gas tank first before drilling otherwise you'll have a whole other headache. Also make sure the bolts aren't too long to rub against the gas tank when re-installed. Some light massaging of the trunk sheet metal will be required to flatten it for a flush bolting surface.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - B-Pillar brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/10VMSmZ

Here's how it can fit on an s14.- https://ibb.co/pvGvd30
https://ibb.co/D54pjwv
https://ibb.co/tcFQBMq
https://ibb.co/s2jPWnY

How can we make it fit in an s14? Don't - unless you are planning to have no rear seats. If the rear seats aren't used and the car is going to be a designated track car of some sort you can cut the plates and body to fit. But, these are not a bolt-in affair and will be in the way of the interior panels and seat bolt mounts if you plan on running those oem s14 pieces.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - A-Pillar Plate Brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - Not Pictured

Here's how it can fit on an s14.

How can we make it fit in an s14?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - C-Pillar Plate Brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/WfJZxH2

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - No picture

How can we make it fit in an s14? - There's no way this will fit due to the body being a different shape.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - Front Strut Plate Brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/XzxCfvC

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - Sits on the top of the top hat when installed from under in the wheel well.

How can we make it fit in an s14? Easy drop on plate to the coilovers or strut.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spec-R - Rear Strut Plate Brace

Here's how it fits on a Spec R - https://ibb.co/yhpz2ST

Here's how it can fit on an s14. - I truly don't see these fitting at all. How they are shaped it would need cutting

How can we make it fit in an s14? Don't, get a rear strut bar of some sort which would do the same thing while aiding in rear rigidity.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll be updating this overtime with more pictures of the pieces as I start mocking them up on the s14.

for B pillar brace you can fit them and still have rear seats in.

[Fitelite240!!]

Originally Posted by dru721

for B pillar brace you can fit them and still have rear seats in.

Really? I haven't tried to mock them up since I started this. But, if you have some photos as reference and how, that would be dope. Lol I just may try to do it if it'll work.

[dru721]

Originally Posted by Fitelite240!!

Really? I haven't tried to mock them up since I started this. But, if you have some photos as reference and how, that would be dope. Lol I just may try to do it if it'll work.

just pm your phone number hassale to load pics up from phone or you can check out my ig mrnismos14

[Fitelite240!!]

Originally Posted by dru721

just pm your phone number hassale to load pics up from phone or you can check out my ig mrnismos14

Oh dude! I talked to you on instagram! Your in FTL lmao. I remember you saying you got them to fit, never got your pics though. I'll DM you my number.

[LoSt180]

Originally Posted by dru721

just pm your phone number hassale to load pics up from phone or you can check out my ig mrnismos14

Got detailed pics? Only one potato photo on your Instagram, about the only thing I could tell was that you had to cut a bit of the interior panel.

[Fitelite240!!]

Originally Posted by LoSt180

Got detailed pics? Only one potato photo on your Instagram, about the only thing I could tell was that you had to cut a bit of the interior panel.

He sent them to me. I'm going to mock it up and get some detailed pics on here. Give me about a week and I'll update it.

[LoSt180]

Originally Posted by Fitelite240!!

He sent them to me. I'm going to mock it up and get some detailed pics on here. Give me about a week and I'll update it.

Nice. Mine is in the body shop but I picked up a bunch of these. Will be referencing this thread when I get the car back.

[LoSt180]

I got the front ladder brace installed in my s14 today.

Had to ditch a heat shield by the downpipe. Installed M10 rivnuts to the rails to hold everything in place. I put a washer between the brace and the body on the left, front most bolt. This is because the S15 has some extra stamping fit this bolt (can be seen in the S15 pics in the first post). For the holes, I found a step bit to be the easiest way. Don't forget to paint the drilled areas to minimize rust in the future.

Gallery of pics: https://imgur.com/a/4vEMSYX

[Musky014]

Originally Posted by LoSt180

I got the front ladder brace installed in my s14 today.

Had to ditch a heat shield by the downpipe. Installed M10 rivnuts to the rails to hold everything in place. I put a washer between the brace and the body on the left, front most bolt. This is because the S15 has some extra stamping fit this bolt (can be seen in the S15 pics in the first post). For the holes, I found a step bit to be the easiest way. Don't forget to paint the drilled areas to minimize rust in the future.

Gallery of pics: https://imgur.com/a/4vEMSYX

How did you find the front ladder bar? Did it make a noticeable difference?

[jr_ss]

This an interesting thread…

I’ve considered fabricating an entire chassis brace that is bolted to the underside in various locations, similar to the UR braces. The main reason I’ve considered it is so that I can put a belly pan on the entire underside of the car.

[LoSt180]

Originally Posted by Musky014

How did you find the front ladder bar? Did it make a noticeable difference?

Found someone selling a set of all S15 braces a few years ago that came with the front ladder bar. Much to my surprise, out of all the braces I've installed, that ladder bar was the one that I noticed immediately.

Feel like it's a missed potential for the aftermarket to duplicate this part.

[jr_ss]

Originally Posted by LoSt180

Feel like it's a missed potential for the aftermarket to duplicate this part.

While this isn?t an exact replacement, it does tie the tunnel into the frame rails at the front. One could speculate that adding an additional bar that ties to the front frame rails in a similar position to the bar you?ve installed would take it further.

https://ultraracing-usa.com/product/...s14-1995-1998/

[Musky014]

Originally Posted by LoSt180

Found someone selling a set of all S15 braces a few years ago that came with the front ladder bar. Much to my surprise, out of all the braces I've installed, that ladder bar was the one that I noticed immediately.

Feel like it's a missed potential for the aftermarket to duplicate this part.

I might have to try and source one now. Hopefully it fits past my exhaust

[LoSt180]

Originally Posted by Musky014

I might have to try and source one now. Hopefully it fits past my exhaust

It has plenty of clearance for a KA/SR setup, other engines may have issues depending on how it's routed.

If used turns up nothing, you might still be able to buy the brackets new. Looking on Nengun, here's part numbers. They don't say discontinued, but someone would have to place an order to find out...

Front Crossbar Assembly - 544B2-85F00

Rear Crossbar (subframe brace) - 554B2-85F03 (or 554B2-91F00)

Trunk Triangle brackets:
Rear Floor Stay Lh - 74845-85F00
Rear Floor Stay Rh - 74844-85F00

Trunk Bar Assembly - 79174-85F00

B-pillar brackets:
Floor Gasset Rh - 748B0-85F00
Floor Gasset Lh - 748B1-85F00

[Musky014]

Originally Posted by LoSt180

It has plenty of clearance for a KA/SR setup, other engines may have issues depending on how it's routed.

If used turns up nothing, you might still be able to buy the brackets new. Looking on Nengun, here's part numbers. They don't say discontinued, but someone would have to place an order to find out...

Front Crossbar Assembly - 544B2-85F00

Rear Crossbar (subframe brace) - 554B2-85F03 (or 554B2-91F00)

Trunk Triangle brackets:
Rear Floor Stay Lh - 74845-85F00
Rear Floor Stay Rh - 74844-85F00

Trunk Bar Assembly - 79174-85F00

B-pillar brackets:
Floor Gasset Rh - 748B0-85F00
Floor Gasset Lh - 748B1-85F00

I'm more worried about my custom 3.5" dump pipe and screamer pipe getting in the way. Thanks for the part no. I'll look into it. I really feel like the front ladder brace will be beneficial

[Musky014]

Originally Posted by Musky014

I'm more worried about my custom 3.5" dump pipe and screamer pipe getting in the way. Thanks for the part no. I'll look into it. I really feel like the front ladder brace will be beneficial

Update If anyone is still interested. I have now installed the rear subframe brace and the front ladder brace, both at different times. I started with the rear subframe brace and noticed an immediate difference with greater turn in response. I then installed the front ladder brace and notice further improvement to rigidity and turn in response. All in all both are highly noticeable and I wish I installed them sooner on in my ownership.

[Musky014]

Just picked the spec r boot brace and triangles. Would Riv nuts be fine to fix it to the boot floor or is there a plate/thicker floor in the boot of the s15 to allow for the point fixing of the boot brace and triangles?

[inopsey]

Originally Posted by Musky014

Update If anyone is still interested. I have now installed the rear subframe brace and the front ladder brace, both at different times. I started with the rear subframe brace and noticed an immediate difference with greater turn in response. I then installed the front ladder brace and notice further improvement to rigidity and turn in response. All in all both are highly noticeable and I wish I installed them sooner on in my ownership.

just to confirm, these 2 braces were 100% bolt in using factory munting areas and hardware?



which braces do have you installed and which ones made the most noticable difference, (besides these 2) ?

[LoSt180]

Originally Posted by Musky014

Just picked the spec r boot brace and triangles. Would Riv nuts be fine to fix it to the boot floor or is there a plate/thicker floor in the boot of the s15 to allow for the point fixing of the boot brace and triangles?

I picked up the factory panels that are spot welded to the floor and will use rivnuts on the back wall. I've seen others get away with just rivnuts. It'll be my winter project at some point. Only issue is the tank is right there, so need to be careful with the drill or drop the tank.

[LoSt180]

Originally Posted by inopsey

just to confirm, these 2 braces were 100% bolt in using factory munting areas and hardware?

which braces do have you installed and which ones made the most noticable difference, (besides these 2) ?

The front ladder brace needs rivnuts installed in order to mount. The subframe just replaces the cup washers and goes right on with no mods. The ladder brace was immediately noticeable, and was a big surprise to me.