Is a strut and rear body brace worth it? (MK7 GTI) *Racingline*

I've seen a lot of mixed responses on this. In this video I fit a front strut brace and rear body brace from Racingline and provide my feedback on what I can feel from the car after install.

[@rootsmanuva82]

Often overlooked is a 4 point brace that ties the lower control arm mounting points to the subframe. It eliminates changes in toe and caster under hard acceleration, braking and cornering and virtually eliminates wheel hop and torque steer. The transformation is staggering at any and all speeds and my suspension is 100% bone stock! Front end grip is tremendous and the vault-like feel you get is instantly noticeable just driving slow around town. Ride quality improves too. The brace I installed was from TB Performance Products and if you can tell from my comment I think it’s phenomenal. And no, I have zero affiliation with them, I’m just letting other people know of a great modification they probably never heard of or thought of.

[@gregoryschwarz2730]

Is this the “lower subframe brace”?

[@StefanP742]

Not sure if you would know as you don't have the seat Leon Cupra over in the states side.... but does anyone know if the front traction bar would fit the cupra too? I know the cupra is based on the gti platform with the golf r engine

[@onelowvdub]

Hello from Canada .just had my car out for open lapping first time in my 20 GTI and now I'm going to staying in touch here .

[@rootsmanuva82]

Free advice: Install a TB Performance Products front traction bar. You won’t say to yourself “I think I can kinda notice it’s there…” You’ll be saying to yourself “holy crap this thing changed the game!!” Front end will feel vault-like in its rigidity, steering response is crisp, grip is immense and mid corner corrections are almost unwarranted because toe and caster don’t suddenly change under load. Oh and wheel hop is gone and ride comfort is improved. Strut tower braces help but it’s minuscule compared to locking down the subframe and lower control arms together to eliminate flex at the LCA mounting points.

[@rootsmanuva82]

You can upgrade LCA bushings but the mounting points at the subframe will still flex under load resulting in subtle changes of toe and caster. A 4 point brace that locks down the mounting points with the subframe DRAMATICALLY improves handling, steering response and feel. With upgraded bushes this improvement will be even more noticeable still 👍

[@trackhackau]

On the steel or aluminium subframe? I can't see it making much different on the aluminium one.

[@1one3_Racing]

I've addressed a few people lately online who have said that you can't run a lithium battery in a car without modifying the charging system. So much incorrect information out there.

[@dushymilo]

the next track day will tell you what you need to know right ?

[@FirstAndLastName729]

You've had this car for quiet awhile now. :) Can you please do a POV night time drive without music, nice immersive video? Really appreciate your content and commitment.

[@trackhackau]

Yep I have. 5 years now I think. Interesting concept. Can certainly do something like this. Stay tuned.

[@DanielHillman]

What i want to know is does it help with body flex and creaks when turning up driveways, i only have some H&R springs and swarbars and notice the creaks in the plastic trim moving about just with daily driving (not a racing setup!)

[@trackhackau]

Mine didn't creak before fitting so can't really comment

[@MercSLRFan]

@@trackhackau Yours must be a unicorn then. I was also curious if this fixes the subframe creaks.

[@paulwilliams6534]

I think Euro spec cars are definitely made better than Mexico plant ones

[@MercSLRFan]

@@paulwilliams6534 I’m in Ireland so that’s a negative

[@Benihana81]

I have the eurocode front/rear brace and yes it does get rid of the creeks and and flexes. When going up the drive ways combined with sway bars the car will be be riding on 3 wheels only with the other suspended in air from how stiff it gets.

[@lucienl9465]

dat drone doe

[@Sushiconnexion]

the not suitable for race harness printed on the rear brace component says it all lol

[@rootsmanuva82]

Snark time: My best bang for the buck for weight reduction is adding horsepower. $450 made my 3,155 lb car accelerate like it weighs 1,000 lb less with 2,155 lbs. 153 hp per ton improved to 224 hp per ton! (220 hp -> 321 hp) 😁 Yeah yeah yeah braking and handling aren’t improved… I got that covered and it’s a joke anyway ha ha.

[@rootsmanuva82]

If I wanted a car for strictly handling I would’ve bought an AE86 or Miata. I bought a GTI for cheap speed and decent handling that can be improved to great (but still not as fun as RWD).

[@TENNESSEETRACKHAWK]

This post made me lol literally.... with stupidity! 321 hp? My car was making that in 1989 bro smfh.

[@1one3_Racing]

The first thing I noticed when I moved to Sydney is that everyone here is obsessed with making thier Golf/Audi/Other DSG car, sound like a prolapsed anus farting. Each to their own, I guess.

[@koeskss]

lol, i also hate unresonated and unmuffled ea888, sounds so shite.

[@trackhackau]

Mine has both, but still doesn't sound great when cruising around in auto.

[@1one3_Racing]

@@trackhackau I had a Skyline with a Lukey muffler a long time ago. It sounded great but I stripped the stereo to sell it and drove around 200km to some car yards. The sound on the highway drove me insane! I had to add a muffler on my race car because the PTSD of that car.