3 point sub-frame.. anyone have it?

[CallipNCSUsaab]

http://www.genuinesaab.com/catalog/p...roducts_id=270

Just curious if anyone has any information on this and how advantageous it will be?

[rando67]

Someone said they were going to install it and provide feedback ... I didn't follow-up with it. Whomever it was may have updated that thread. This was within the last couple months. Maybe as far back as July - can't remember.

[weiVA]

Originally Posted by rando67

Someone said they were going to install it and provide feedback ...

Sorry, life got the best of me and I forgot to put it on during my oil change. I should be able to do it tonight with full one-hour commute/testdrive tomorrow.

[weiVA]

Update: Finally had time to install it today. There's only one problem. Given all the pics of the '05 9-3 convertible I took, I can not figure out where this thing bolts onto. Every location that seems logical is out of reach of the brace. I'm going to call Taliaferro on Monday. I'll be sure to provide pics when it's in. Sorry about the delay.

[CallipNCSUsaab]

cool - yeah let me know what you find (or everyone rather by posting here). Anyone else have this brace?

[weiVA]

Yippee, get to try again tonight. Nick sent me a photo of the installed brace which should help.

[rando67]

Correct me if I was wrong but wasn't there a 3-point that goes top-side? From the two suspension points on top to the front? Maybe I'm wrong but I thought I would ask.

As I think about this, there isn't a frame point in the front to connect to - is there?

Sorry if this sounds like a dumb question.

[weiVA]

Originally Posted by rando67

Correct me if I was wrong but wasn't there a 3-point that goes top-side? From the two suspension points on top to the front?

As I think about this, there isn't a frame point in the front to connect to - is there?

A vendor had mentioned the possibility of a strut tower brace, but I've not seen a production/prototype yet. Frame point up top?

I'm picking up a 0.5"/12.5mm drill bit for metal after work and trying again. The one I had was for wood and was fairly worn.

[weiVA]

Preliminary review:
The existing holes in the frame yield widen easily with the right bit. The install is fairly simple, rivets go into holes and socket bolts go into rivets.

Car info: Factory Arc suspension with 17" 5 spoke wheels. With the current temperature change, I'm at 36psi in the front tires; down from 41psi.

How's the ride change? No change on straight roads or casual turns. The real changes are more evident when going over successive bumps in the road. Bump steer in reduced, not eliminated, but reduced. Body roll is reduced by a smidge as well. Aggressive cornering is more confident.

By comparison, adding a strut tower brace to my Saturn SL2 greatly changed the driving dynamics. The car could be thrown around corners at nearly double previous speeds, tire squeal during those maneuvers was eliminated. Body roll was also greatly reduced. The 3 point brace from GenuineSaab is not as miraculous. It's an improvement, but not as night and day of a difference.

Would I do this again? For $100, yes.

[Automaggot]

Has anyone looked under our hoods to see if there's a place we could put a brace? I wonder if there's an adjustable one we could try out... I wouldn't mind improving the Linear's handling to be more like my father's Aero. That thing has like ZERO body roll.

[weiVA]

I don't think you're going to see a great difference in body roll with a STB on the 9-3. The Epsilon chassis is much stiffer than the Z-body, which is why it was so dramatic on the SL2. The sport chassis for the 9-3 is what separates the Aeros from the other 9-3s. That comprises of springs/struts, bushings, and a thicker roll bar IIRC.

[Amator]

Originally Posted by weiVA

Preliminary review:
The existing holes in the frame yield widen easily with the right bit. The install is fairly simple, rivets go into holes and socket bolts go into rivets.

Car info: Factory Arc suspension with 17" 5 spoke wheels. With the current temperature change, I'm at 36psi in the front tires; down from 41psi.

How's the ride change? No change on straight roads or casual turns. The real changes are more evident when going over successive bumps in the road. Bump steer in reduced, not eliminated, but reduced. Body roll is reduced by a smidge as well. Aggressive cornering is more confident.

By comparison, adding a strut tower brace to my Saturn SL2 greatly changed the driving dynamics. The car could be thrown around corners at nearly double previous speeds, tire squeal during those maneuvers was eliminated. Body roll was also greatly reduced. The 3 point brace from GenuineSaab is not as miraculous. It's an improvement, but not as night and day of a difference.

Would I do this again? For $100, yes.

Errrr, u mean u have to drill 3 holes?
there arent 3 holes in the subframe?
Is their a template for this or just a estimation. regds

[Amator]

Originally Posted by Automaggot

Has anyone looked under our hoods to see if there's a place we could put a brace? I wonder if there's an adjustable one we could try out... I wouldn't mind improving the Linear's handling to be more like my father's Aero. That thing has like ZERO body roll.

the brace would have to zig zag and not just a straight bar

[weiVA]

Originally Posted by Amator

Errrr, u mean u have to drill 3 holes?
there arent 3 holes in the subframe?
Is their a template for this or just a estimation. regds

You need to widen three existing holes using a 0.5" or 12.5mm drill bit. The amount you need to widen it is miniscule. From the pic in one of my previous posts in this thread, it's fairly easy to figure out which three holes. I will post additional pictures when I get home tonight.

No estimating. A friend of mine will be picking one up based on my review. I'll likely help him install it and I'm sure it'll take no more than 5 minutes from the time the car is perched on ramps.

The rivets deform like drywall anchors after the bolts go through them, keeping the brace against the subframe.

Longer term review. I've had the brace on for about two weeks now. I've brought the tire pressure back up to my normal 41psi.

Suffice to say I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The reduction in body roll is better than I originally thought. I'm finding that I have to brace myself against my seat less often during turns. The car feels more solid overall and all bumps are soaked up with a lot more grace.

[Aero_adam]

I am interested in one of these brace to stiffen the front end structure and improve steering feel and to maintain suspension geometry under load.

I struggle to see why this frame would do anything at all to affect the roll stiffness of the car. Why should the car roll any less with this mount installed? It is great that you are please with your purchase, but I wonder whether you are wanting to feel an improvement and experiencing a placebo effect that this is making a subtle improvement.

It would be great to hear your comments on whether this has changed the turn in response or the feel through the steering wheel when turning. I expect that changing your tire pressures will have made the turn in much sharper?

[weiVA]

Originally Posted by Aero_adam

I struggle to see why this frame would do anything at all to affect the roll stiffness of the car. Why should the car roll any less with this mount installed?

No idea. I just drive what I mod and let others worry about the mechanics of why. I'm basing body roll on my sliding butt-o-meter. I'm simply not gliding all over the place in the same turns, same/faster speeds.

It would be great to hear your comments on whether this has changed the turn in response or the feel through the steering wheel when turning. I expect that changing your tire pressures will have made the turn in much sharper?

Nope, bringing the tire pressure up merely was in response to the (sudden) environmental temperature change. I have always run at 41psi. If anything, it corrected flaws in my initial review (which is why I previously included that I was running under different conditions than I am used to). Compared to what I remember and the now correct pressure, I can say there is definitely improvement.