Exhaust Depot... improved handling! - SRT Forums

Figs · 03-08-2009, 03:30 PM

I spoke to Hector (Exhaust Depot) throughout the week when I caught glimpse of a product he had design for the Caliber SRT-4. The product is fender brackets (braces). I went in to be the "test subject" for this product for the Neon SRT-4's. Here's a review from me followed by a pic of the said product.

Review:
Most, if not, all owners of the Neon SRT-4 know the turn radius and how difficult this car makes it to make U-turns. Also if you throw the steering wheel back and fourth realize how soft the front end is and feel body roll as well as chassis flex. This piece stiffens up the front end and you feel more control. When install was complete and car ready to go I went out for a test drive. I went down a 4 lane road (2 lanes going one way and 2 lanes going the opposite direction). Using NO e-brake and being on the left closes lane to other 2 opposite direction lanes I whipped the car around (U-turn) at around 35mph. At that point the front half of the car was on one lane (left) while part of the rear was on the right lane and snapped the car completely to the left lane. The car didn't slide from underneath me or anything. Some tire squeeling from the force of them holding on to the road and force thrown unto to the one side. I did get to test them also on the on-ramp getting on I-4 (highway) where the turn was a sharp "C" turn, I kept the foot on the gas, giving gas through the turn. It truly feels like you have full control of the front end. With all the other suspension parts I have (strut braces, sway bars, endlinks, springs) I felt a difference and these braces complimented well with the rest of my suspension mods. Definately stiffens the chassis up from flexing. The front end of the car feels so much more planted. From steering response, braking, turning, overall control. Definately happy with the results.

The ones are on my car are only the prototype and Hector had made some modifications since improving the ones he will be offering to the public.

rico's-srt · 03-08-2009, 03:43 PM

hmmmmmm

Exhaust Depot · 03-08-2009, 08:19 PM

Figs thanks for coming by and letting me use your ride. The production piece will be a little longer along the horizontal beam and look more like the unit on my caliber:

rico's-srt · 03-08-2009, 08:30 PM

how thick the brace?

**ERABBIT23** · 03-08-2009, 08:33 PM

what does this do?

legion24 · 03-08-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ERABBIT23

what does this do?

I makes me laugh and it also changes the front crumple zones if you have a head on collision. I don't really understand the first review and how this is supposed to really help the suspension much. Also it kinda made my head hurt reading it. How does this make the car do better u turn maneuvers? It changes the steering radius? It is proven that more spot welds on a frame will make it stiffer but I am skeptical a few bolts are gonna do much. In for some more results.

01rtgurl · 03-08-2009, 08:46 PM

Interesting. I've seen tubular ones for subies and also a very similar design to what you have for my Miata (bossfrog makes them). Nice to know someone is developing new stuff!

conroy9940 · 03-08-2009, 08:51 PM

interesting.

Exhaust Depot · 03-08-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by legion24

I makes me laugh and it also changes the front crumple zones if you have a head on collision. I don't really understand the first review and how this is supposed to really help the suspension much. Also it kinda made my head hurt reading it. How does this make the car do better u turn maneuvers? It changes the steering radius? It is proven that more spot welds on a frame will make it stiffer but I am skeptical a few bolts are gonna do much. In for some more results.

Its a HUGE night and day difference in my Csrt4. This is more than a spot weld, it prevents the front beam from twisting like a towel that you ring out. You will notice a MUCH better handling with these vs a strut tower bar no doubt!

For locals i weld it in place, howeve if your concerned about crumple zone then the bolts are the way to go. They are designed for torsion stress but a head on collision will shear the bolts off.

Ill be giving away some free ones soon with the purchase of some goodies on my site.

. That way people hear it from another horses mouth.

NJ DSM · 03-08-2009, 09:24 PM

ive got to change the fender on my nsrt, a free set would surely recieve a write up with pics

Exhaust Depot · 03-08-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 01rtgurl

Interesting. I've seen tubular ones for subies and also a very similar design to what you have for my Miata (bossfrog makes them). Nice to know someone is developing new stuff!

Thanks for the comment!