EOI for 9N(3) Rear UNIbrace XB

**kaanage** · 24-08-2011, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by vwthunder

I guess it wouldnt be that hard to make something like the unibrace, I am not going to copy it of course, but im sure something can be made to strengthen the rear.
Anyone know someone who can do cutting with a waterjet lol

I've been thinking about this recently and come to the conclusion that it could be done in a simpler and far cheaper manner with steel - possibly for similar weight, though it won't look as nice. I am talking to someone about it next week (in conjunction with my strut brace quote) so I will come back with some figures.

Anyone interested?

**noone** · 24-08-2011, 05:01 PM

Depends on price and ease of removal. Interested but likely not in...

**csimpson** · 25-08-2011, 09:48 AM

Not especially worried about the ease of removal, but just price. If it's around the $400 mark I'm in

Edit: (below 450 posted)

**kaanage** · 26-08-2011, 12:54 PM

I think I'll only approach VIC 9N(3) owners about this and just put up the measurments etc for interstaters/overseas people to get a local workshop to copy/mod as they wish.

**kaanage** · 29-08-2011, 12:24 PM

Well I spoke to the owner of the business where I was making enquiries about the struct and rear braces and he a had a good long look at the car. In his opinion, neither is worthwhile since the torsional rigidity of the Polo is far less than the rigidity across the struct towers - particularly the front since the towers are strongly welded to the front bulkhead. Without a body brace or full roll cage (and I ain't fitting either of those), the issues caused by the torsional flex would more than overcome any additional stiffness between the axles. If I had fully adjustable suspension units (rebound + high/low compression damping, height adjustment for front), then he thinks there would be some small benefit if I were to take the time and effort to dial in all of these factors for each circuit (with MUCH more gain if torsional stiffness could be greatly increase by the aforementioned methods).

Since this is the advice of a man who has rallied and raced production based cars for years (and who could make money by making me the braces I asked about), I'll take his advice and just drive the car more

and look into stiffer bushes, camber adjustment and adjustable anti-roll bars if I get serious and fast enough.

But he did say there was no question at all about a ATBD so that's next...

**vert1** · 04-09-2011, 09:16 AM

I'm going to be making these for 9N Polo's, CNC cut from 8mm plate with a 25mm square reinforcing bar along the top.
How many of you would be interested?
They will be well cheaper than whats currently available and being from NZ shipping will also be cheaper.
Here's one I made for my MK4 Jetta coupe, R logo is inlayed with a red or blue acrylic logo.

**noone** · 04-09-2011, 11:42 AM

looks interesting, I'm interested but want an easily removable solution. any idea on a cost?

**vert1** · 05-09-2011, 03:39 PM

It will install with 4 bolts, takes about 5min to remove it.
Pricing came in at $395 NZ, would be good to do a batch of 5 units for Polo's.
My wife drives an 06 3 door so getting the measurements is easy enough.

**vwthunder** · 05-09-2011, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by vert1

It will install with 4 bolts, takes about 5min to remove it.
Pricing came in at $395 NZ, would be good to do a batch of 5 units for Polo's.
My wife drives an 06 3 door so getting the measurements is easy enough.

Im sure if you make up 5 you will sell them