The Holy Grail of Strut Braces! | MeLe Edition Front Strut Tower Brace

[@jonwpike]

Very cool, I was interested in the nameless brace and like the MeLe reverse plate so I'll be putting this one on my wishlist for the spring

[@ronfromportland]

Glad to hear it! Makes the engine bay pop out that much more.

[@meleenterprises]

Ron I'm beyond delighted to see you still working on building this channel. Keep working hard homie! -Ryan

[@ronfromportland]

Thank you, Ryan!

[@K03sport]

looks great...was thinking this was for the VA WRX, but it is not. 1-piece bar is why I like the AEM unit but it is 2x the price of a Cusco strut bar or 1.5x a Perrin front strut bar....

[@ronfromportland]

Thanks! Yeah, the solid one piece is always a good option 👍

[@bendtheski]

I've got the same brace with a Nameless name plate from about a year ago. Definitely squared up the front end, in addition to the already installed front and rear Whiteline sway bar/endlink kit. I put a Mission cross-brace in the rear, and feel like the improvement in handling was more noticeable from the rear cross-brace, but they both help. I just hope there's enough room for the Nameless front brace once the new Cobb TMIC goes in...

[@ronfromportland]

Curious on the fitment with an aftermarket intercooler as well!

[@bendtheski]

@@ronfromportland I keep looking for install vids with a similar setup. Subiespeed has one up that looks like they fit a Cusco or similar, but probably won't know for sure on the Nameless (or whatever they're calling it now) until I do the work.

[@joestasi8329]

Did you ever have problems with your light weight battery? I'm in ny and i love the way it looked in my engine bay but the battery would always die, esp in the cold or if it sat a day or two. Awesome video!

[@ronfromportland]

Nope, never had any issues but I always garaged the car. I know the 600 series struggles when it’s super cold out. Your best bet is to upgrade to the 900 series, the bigger battery out of the two.

[@ronfromportland]

And thank you man!

[@meleenterprises]

It’s why we came out with the medium size kits (900 series). It could handle colder temps and mods such as air bags and decent sound systems.

[@cofffeejoe2079]

So I’m newer to off roading and trail driving with my OBW but wouldn’t you want flex and not something rigid for the trails?

[@ronfromportland]

This is true, but I came from a WRX so I don’t know any better 😂

[@meleenterprises]

For a unibody car, you do not want flex happening on or off road at the top of the strut towers. Hence why these bars are so useful. You want flex down lower, it’s why many remove their sway bars for true off-roading.

[@meleenterprises]

Another key benefit is when you lift the vehicle, having the strut tower bars tied properly allows the vehicle to track straight, easier. Especially over time as the unibody gets beat up if using it off road.

[@mattburch2773]

So my torque wrench will only go to 15 lbs. Do you think it will be alright for this Application I have a 2023 Subaru Wilderness as well. Btw keep up the great videos they have been really helpful. Thanks

[@ronfromportland]

I would hand tighten. Basically turn the nuts until they’re tight, then continue turning for about 1/4 turn. The goal is to just make sure they’re snug, not overly tight. That should do the trick. Since your torque wrench only goes to 15 lbs, and the recommended specs are 14.5, you risk over tightening. Torque wrenches have a sweet spot where they’re accurate, usually somewhere in the middle. Thanks! Hope this helps.

[@timflaherty2731]

Have you noticed any difference in ride quality?

[@ronfromportland]

Nope, I’m sure there’s a slight difference when it comes to handling, though, but I haven’t really put it to the test.

[@revd4461]

Ron, where did you get the TMI screen?

[@ronfromportland]

It’s the Compressive Tuning air shield. Here’s the video I made on it. Cheers!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpbFeaSCiJeBoac

[@revd4461]

@@ronfromportland Thank you!!! That is a must-have.

[@revd4461]

@@ronfromportland Man, I wish I hadn’t seen that hood on their site. 😬

[@ronfromportland]

@@revd4461 same!!!

[@yesman3709]

I have a question about the Outback Wilderness not related to your cool strut braces. I realize Regular Unleaded Gasoline is recommended (87 octane or greater per the owner's manual). What's your opinion of using Premium Unleaded instead? In my area, most of the Regular Unleaded Gasoline is polluted with 10% ethanol (aka ethyl alcohol). I'd prefer that my 2024 Outback Wilderness not become an alcoholic.

[@ronfromportland]

I use Premium gas only. I figure for a few more dollars, if it helps the car in any sort of way, then I’m all about it. I’m sure the Outbacks are tuned for 87 but I just choose to run the higher octane for a piece of mind.

[@yesman3709]

@@ronfromportland Thanks a million Ron!!! I agree. I use premium gasoline in my lawn mower too. I've read that alcohol is bad for mower, weed eater, and chainsaw engines.

[@K03sport]

even some 93/94 octane gas has up to 10% ethanol in it. a station near me (ohio) just put it some 90 oct ethanol-free recreational gas and it is $0.30 more per gallon than the 93 octane stuff...the 93 is $1.20 more than 87.

[@Habaneroholic]

Can you still get the brake fluid cap off?

[@ronfromportland]

Yes, there’s plenty of clearance from the bar to the cap.

[@Habaneroholic]

I've ordered this bar for my 2023, it looks like the most solid made. Very interested if you find a top mount IC that works with it. I've contacted Cobb, and they said I could return theirs within 30 days. @@ronfromportland

[@MoJoNinjaGarage]

That red really pops in the bay! Your making me feel bad about my engine bay man yours looks super clean dawg I am ashamed of mine......😅. I don't know about anyone else but I want to know what you named the S2k? That is unless it's G-14 Classified. lol

[@ronfromportland]

Thanks bro. Barely any miles on this thing so that’s why it’s clean 😂. Fun fact, I don’t name my cars! I only call them by their color 😂.

[@MoJoNinjaGarage]

@@ronfromportland 😅😅😅

[@GilMercado-e5z]

Where did you purchase your inter cooler cover?

[@ronfromportland]

From the Comprehensive Tuning site kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpbFeaSCiJeBoacsi=99Je3Og73nEG5riW

[@nicmc3077]

A performance review would've been nice.

[@emersonolivares9217]

That's the new Jesus piece!