Views on Fender Braces and Strengthening
 

Fender braces are marketed as a tool to strengthen the body to improve handling.

I've considered them for my 13B REW conversion to help make the suspension struts more rigid to help cope with the extra weight. However, I decided not to fit them as the panel area where they fit is a crumple zone for crash protection, opting instead to weld the seams (weld a 1/2", leave a 1/2", weld a 1/2", . . . .) to strengthen the panels for low loads but allow them to crumple under high loads.

Googling didn't come up with anything relevant here or on the net so I'm going to stick with my view.

However, I thought the issue might be interesting to others. Does anyone have anything to say based on experience or knowledge in this area?

When the rx8 was designed, crush zones were a large factor. As was using the doors etc to add more rigidity to the car itself.

I would like to see tests with the fender reinforcements installed. Watching that video, a few others and just basic google searching leads me to believe in that event, they wont make much of a difference. But that leads me to question the supports themselves. With a direct head on impact, will they bend? Will the collapse in? Will it not even flex and cause an even harder stop?

Thanks, now i have to know... Googling i go


Travis

I sort of question the need for fender braces. Sure all things being equal more rigid is better, but is there enough real world difference to justify the added weight?

On my previous car some folks had measured deflection at certain points on the car under various maneuvers and the results were not significantly different with bracing or without.

I think most serious competitors consider braces to be a waste of money and not worth the extra weight. It's already a pretty stiff car.