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mcwc
10-19-2009, 12:34 AM
Yes unfortunately on a lot of these braces the powder went on REALLY thick, so the slots will be a tight fit on the holes, and might require a hair of filing to make them slip on. It's just the way I hung them on the rack this time, the powder pooled into the slots and I didn't realize it till afterwards. Sorry!
And here I thought that my left bracket was bent a tad too much. Wedging it a tad wider fixed that. Though, a thick powdercoat wasn't the issue with my right bracket...
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9imHgk5B75A/StvqAhyM0eI/AAAAAAAAFWM/AvBk_UeDMGg/s800/DSC_1949.jpg



By the way I should have included a note in all the strut braces, but the 8-12 bigger washers that I included are for the strut plates, I want you guys to run two washers per nut. Not a huge deal, but that's what they're there for.
Interesting...Off to the garage to put the bigger washers on the front of the 2 strut bolts.
volvo245kit
10-19-2009, 01:00 AM
I used those washers to space out the firewall braces. Can you please explain why you want us to run 2 washers on the strut studs? It's not a big deal for the moment because my car's not on the road yet. I'd just like to know.
Krunk Fu
10-19-2009, 01:36 PM
gay
wennstroma
10-19-2009, 02:12 PM
advertising? /\
2fast242gt
10-19-2009, 02:12 PM
gay

dont talk about yourself that way.
The Aspirator
10-19-2009, 03:20 PM
Though, a thick powdercoat wasn't the issue with my right bracket...Eh, melt through while welding happens, I was doing so many and trying to do them quickly that there were a few minor problems. But after a quick whiz with the dremel you got it to fit no problem right?

I used those washers to space out the firewall braces. Can you please explain why you want us to run 2 washers on the strut studs? It's not a big deal for the moment because my car's not on the road yet. I'd just like to know.Just to spread out the load of the nut better. If you really crank down on those strut nuts you can make a pretty nice dent in the aluminum plates, so two washers helps to prevent that.
volvo245kit
10-19-2009, 04:41 PM
I just used the moon shaped stock plates over the aluminum plates. I'd never put just the nuts over the slotted holes. That wouldn't evenly spread the load out but I think the moon plates will do fine.
mcwc
10-19-2009, 08:56 PM
Eh, melt through while welding happens, I was doing so many and trying to do them quickly that there were a few minor problems. But after a quick whiz with the dremel you got it to fit no problem right?
I used a dremel to grind just enough off to make it fit. I took the car out for a spirited drive after work and the strut brace does make a significant improvement in handling and feel even without firewall braces installed.
The Aspirator
10-20-2009, 02:42 PM
Awesome to hear Morgan!!!

Charles the moon plates are a good idea, that does an even better job than the two washers, but on my car I ditched 'em cause they were ugly and my new strut plates were so bling.
mcwc
10-20-2009, 10:10 PM
I bought some M8 x 30 bolts and enough washers to fill in what I thought was a 1/2" gap. Well, I am 1 washer short on each side, so it about 9/16" gap or unless my front end is really off.

BTW John, how thick are the spacers that you are making?
volvo245kit
10-20-2009, 10:37 PM
I suggested 9/16". I hope he's making these that thick.
TIPSP
10-20-2009, 10:51 PM
he has a set he hasn't. shipped yet that he is testing.

i didn't measure mine. opps
The Aspirator
10-21-2009, 07:16 PM
9/16 is 0.5625, I'm going to make them 0.6". I installed the blue set on my car the other day and was like "holy crap, these things ARE short". Not that I didn't believe you guys, but damn, I really goofed up. Anything between 9/16" and 5/8" will work dandy, hence why I'm shooting for the middle. I bought the aluminum rod yesterday so I'll get machining the spacers soon. I also bought a ton of M8x30 bolts, which will be long enough (good call Morgan).
FunkyStankyChicken
10-22-2009, 09:34 PM
Man mine has not showed yet, really hoping that i dont get ****ed by another shipping company.
2fast242gt
10-22-2009, 10:09 PM
there its polished!
<a href="http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii234/2fast242gt/?action=view&current=Picture022-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii234/2fast242gt/Picture022-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
volvo245kit
10-22-2009, 11:48 PM
Looks sweet Brian! Is your car near completion yet? I keep saying that mine is but then I find something else I want to do to it before I put it back together. I can't wait to road test these bars!
2fast242gt
10-23-2009, 12:32 AM
not even close, two days ago i decided i was gona 16v it. everything is just kinda resting there in the pics. thanks though bud! your wagon is kickass!
JohnMc
10-23-2009, 08:24 AM
not even close, two days ago i decided i was gona 16v it. everything is just kinda resting there in the pics. thanks though bud! your wagon is kickass!

Can you pull the head with the engine in place? Looks like the cam carrier piece would hit a eam on the firewall on my car. Could always hammer that seam flat, i guess.
2fast242gt
10-23-2009, 01:56 PM
yeah easily, i do need to take the coil pack off though.
The Aspirator
10-24-2009, 12:08 AM
Man mine has not showed yet, really hoping that i dont get ****ed by another shipping company.Whaaaa? I shipped yours forever ago, I think it went out in the first batch, and you're the closest person to me! I did ship it to the uni address that you requested. Lemme dig up the receipt... Shipped on Sept-29!
Edit:
USPS says "Your item was delivered at 9:35 AM on October 13, 2009 in ALFRED, NY 14802."
wennstroma
10-24-2009, 12:34 AM
I got mine today, everything looks good. It was too busy at work today to put them on. I'll take some pictures when I bolt them into the car.

I'm pretty sure the firewall brace will clear the wastegate.
The Aspirator
10-24-2009, 08:56 AM
Cool! But you will most likely need the spacers. I made two last night before dinner, and luckily my hand written CNC code was perfect so now I can make the rest of them today.
bricktop420
10-24-2009, 01:02 PM
just got mine... gonna wait to get new bushing, shocks, and struts to install em though. You're sending those spacers to everyone right? Thanks a lot john. they look great!
The Aspirator
10-24-2009, 01:59 PM
Yup, everyone that bought firewall braces recently will get a set on da house. I think I can finish them up tonight.
The Aspirator
10-25-2009, 10:21 PM
All the spacers are done and I'll ship them out tomorrow!

http://www.cravingboost.com/cars/big-strut-brace75.jpg

Check out my blog for info on polishing these bad boys:
http://cravingboost.blogspot.com/
http://www.cravingboost.com/cars/big-strut-brace76.jpg

I can't seem to hotlink pics from my blog so they show up, but here are the links, or just check the blog.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GTCrLVcR5cM/SuT9JH2pdJI/AAAAAAAAANU/DFBg8U8Gzlc/s1600-h/DSC08687.JPG
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GTCrLVcR5cM/SuT9LWLs22I/AAAAAAAAANc/xPpyLrvBp-Y/s1600-h/DSC08688.JPG
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GTCrLVcR5cM/SuT9Nqp2NuI/AAAAAAAAANk/Cti5WXqH0uE/s1600-h/DSC08691.JPG
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GTCrLVcR5cM/SuT7hitAAzI/AAAAAAAAAMk/pi8TNAiqnKA/s1600-h/DSC08659.JPG
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GTCrLVcR5cM/SuT7jZHHj_I/AAAAAAAAAMs/CIYwSQZvnSQ/s1600-h/DSC08660.JPG
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GTCrLVcR5cM/SuT9EVGVfCI/AAAAAAAAANE/-yPLSF68hYg/s1600-h/DSC08675.JPG
2fast242gt
10-25-2009, 10:43 PM
did you get the threaded rod yet?
volvo245kit
10-25-2009, 11:49 PM
Is that spacer picture supposed to be a brick? Is it a 240, 740,850,969,etc.?
TIPSP
10-26-2009, 02:23 AM
yeah! more packages!
amargill19?
10-26-2009, 03:22 AM
bump for trunkhole rain stoppers :D
The Aspirator
10-26-2009, 04:07 PM
Haven't gotten the package yet Brian.

It's obviously a 242, umm, isn't it?

Rain stoppers comin soon buddy!
volvo245kit
10-30-2009, 12:53 AM
Hey John, Haven't heard but have you shipped those spacers and bolts yet for the firewall braces yet? Just wondering. Thanks, Charles
The Aspirator
10-30-2009, 10:07 AM
Yeppers, I shipped them all early this week, so you guys should hopefully get them next week.

And Amar, bumpforantennaholeplugs are almost done, I made 10, they're awesome.
amargill19?
10-30-2009, 10:32 AM
wooohooooo!

send me the bill

powdercoated black, of course :D
morganpartee
10-30-2009, 06:24 PM
For 240's I assume?

IF they were for the 740 I'd buy one... I hate my broke-ass antenna.
2fast242gt
10-30-2009, 10:54 PM
im sure it will work on a 740 too...
The Aspirator
10-30-2009, 11:10 PM
Measure the size of the hole on your 740, if it's a 3/4" hole then we're in business!

Amar are you SURE you want it black? I was kinda hoping I wouldn't have to mess with powdercoating them. They look great in raw machined aluminum. I'll make a thread tomorrow and post pics. You could always spraybomb it yourself later on, I've just already got more time into them than they're worth. Think of it more as a piece of artwork rather than a cork :). Just wait till pics, they're beautiful.
morganpartee
10-31-2009, 12:13 AM
I'll measure mine in the morning if I remember. And grab one perhaps.

Do want pics of this artwork! =p
amargill19?
10-31-2009, 05:57 AM
Measure the size of the hole on your 740, if it's a 3/4" hole then we're in business!

Amar are you SURE you want it black? I was kinda hoping I wouldn't have to mess with powdercoating them. They look great in raw machined aluminum. I'll make a thread tomorrow and post pics. You could always spraybomb it yourself later on, I've just already got more time into them than they're worth. Think of it more as a piece of artwork rather than a cork :). Just wait till pics, they're beautiful.

sounds good
The Aspirator
02-16-2010, 10:04 PM
Bump! I opened my hood the other day after a month or two of keeping it closed and I was like "woah I've got a huge strut brace under there, I almost forgot! Ohh yeah, I also made a bunch and sold them on t-bricks, wonder if anyone got around to installing them yet?"

So? Pics?

Wennstroma just e-mailed me a pic today, hope he doesn't mind me posting it here (doubt it, who hates to show off their car?).

http://www.cravingboost.com/cars/big-strut-brace77-wennstroma.jpg
gear whine
02-16-2010, 10:11 PM
mine is still the 1st and the best:-P
w/ the help of john to install it(which was pretty much me installing it and telling john how awesome it was:lol:)

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/really_gay/DSC_2012.jpg
slow240
02-16-2010, 10:28 PM
wow john, i never saw the finished product till now...all i can say is WOW! you did it again. you went and made an awesome product!!!
any chance you might be able to make a few more ???;-)
The Aspirator
02-16-2010, 11:30 PM
Nope. I really wish I had all the time in the world so that I could keep offering these sweet one off products forever, but other priorities get in the way. I couldn't believe how long it took to weld all those strut braces!
wennstroma
02-17-2010, 12:16 AM
I am happy with mine. I polished it a little by hand. The "chrome" powder coat on the plates and firewall braces matches the polished aluminum very well. The car definitely feels more solid while turning.

It comes pretty close to the oil cap on the b230 valve cover, but I can still get the cap off just fine.

http://www.pbase.com/wennstroma/image/121560844.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/wennstroma/image/121560842.jpg
JohnMc
02-17-2010, 10:06 AM
This is before i took it off and shined it up with some steel wool - looks much prettier now:
http://webpages.charter.net/muddybiker/Volvo/Engine/IMG_4553.JPG

Clearance was not great with the 16V head and 8V manifold, I had to do some... stuff... to the FPR. It's now backwards:
http://webpages.charter.net/muddybiker/Volvo/Engine/IMG_4551.JPG
TIPSP
02-17-2010, 11:22 AM
Still Not installed yet, waiting for the rest of the suspension pieces to get here... here it is:

http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp343/TIPSP/82%20244%20Mods/P1060560.jpg
2fast242gt
02-17-2010, 02:50 PM
needs moar intercooler!
joe90
02-17-2010, 04:08 PM
still waiting for the 7/9 series
TIPSP
02-17-2010, 10:24 PM
needs moar intercooler!

that is something also sitting in my closet :oogle:

I have a **** load of stuff that will be doing during spring break!
Full suspension is part of that.
mcwc
06-01-2010, 02:38 PM
I just went to John's website the other day and it reminded me that I haven't posted any pics of my bar and spark plug wires from ages ago. It's been a while since I have visited TB.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9imHgk5B75A/S-DVN-TbcTI/AAAAAAAAGWs/h_pk1VD7deE/s800/IMG_0213.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9imHgk5B75A/S-DVPvpyILI/AAAAAAAAGWw/CdjzAuDQTvQ/s800/IMG_0217.JPG
2fast242gt
06-01-2010, 03:25 PM
mine clears my stock b21 in my 242 engine pretty easy.
<a href="http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii234/2fast242gt/?action=view&current=002-20.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii234/2fast242gt/002-20.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii234/2fast242gt/?action=view&current=001-23.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii234/2fast242gt/001-23.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
The Aspirator
06-01-2010, 04:35 PM
Stock B21, HAHAHAHA. Great pics guys! It's nice to see them installed.
smokeyfan1000
06-01-2010, 05:16 PM
When will the "strut caps" be for sale?
FunkyStankyChicken
06-01-2010, 07:54 PM
Lay off the dew.
The Aspirator
06-02-2010, 10:58 AM
I won't be making the strut caps, in the past year I haven't had any interest (as cool as they are), so there's no point. Besides they take a lot of time to make, which I don't have these days.