Massive Strut Tower Brace Installed on Lobo

[stangg17]

Just got it on so not much feedback yet. I'm putting a couple hundred miles on it next week. I'll report back then.

The install was super easy. Maybe took 10 minutes. Purchased through Panda Motorsports. I think it looks good!

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[Solodriver]

Notice any improvement in handling?

 

[stangg17]

Notice any improvement in handling?

Got some good amount of driving time in the last couple weeks.

It does provide a noticeable improvement in handling. Much more confidence inspiring with the front end. However, it does increase chatter on the front end, bumps transfer over and it is noticeable.

 

[shadow_munk]

I"m still waiting on mine, I think USPS lost it tbh. been over a week since it shipped

 

[Buggy Man]

I'm thinking of installing a strut brace.
I'd be interested in results and driving impressions.

 

[shadow_munk]

I'm thinking of installing a strut brace.
I'd be interested in results and driving impressions.

Finally got mine and it made such big difference it handles corners. I have way more confidence going into a turn now.

 

[Chops]

Just got it on so not much feedback yet. I'm putting a couple hundred miles on it next week. I'll report back then.

The install was super easy. Maybe took 10 minutes. Purchased through Panda Motorsports. I think it looks good!

The Lobo tends to understeer - so this strut is a good idea! Ordered mine today in Blue Thanks for the tip!

 

[r0tax]

Are you guys just adding the strut tower brace alone, and noticing change? Without tires or other suspension mods?

I want to improve (reduce) the understeer on corner entry.
Once it turns-in, its great at rotating under power with the rear wheel assist (and Lobo rear diff tricks).


This strut looks like an easy install. Yet remains mostly out of the way, leaving engine accessible for maintenance.

 

[Maverick123]

Are you guys just adding the strut tower brace alone, and noticing change? Without tires or other suspension mods?

I want to improve (reduce) the understeer on corner entry.
Once it turns-in, its great at rotating under power with the rear wheel assist (and Lobo rear diff tricks).


This strut looks like an easy install. Yet remains mostly out of the way, leaving engine accessible for maintenance.

Get a rear sway bar instead.

 

[Chops]

Get a rear sway bar instead.

I have one of these front sway bars on order - and you’re right, a rear sway bar would help reduce the understeer better. Will do that later

 

[Chops]

Are you guys just adding the strut tower brace alone, and noticing change? Without tires or other suspension mods?

I want to improve (reduce) the understeer on corner entry.
Once it turns-in, its great at rotating under power with the rear wheel assist (and Lobo rear diff tricks).


This strut looks like an easy install. Yet remains mostly out of the way, leaving engine accessible for maintenance.

When I install my blue one when it arrives - I’m not changing anything else until after. I like to do one thing at a time so noticing the difference is easier

 

[Maverick123]

I want to improve (reduce) the understeer on corner entry.
Once it turns-in, its great at rotating under power with the rear wheel assist (and Lobo rear diff tricks).

You can get most of the way there by adjusting your driving style

Front-heavy, FWD biased AWD cars typically understeer, and to reduce that tendency they really benefit from a slow-in, fast-out driving technique.

You want to turn in slower but use aggressive lift throttle or trail braking to lighten the rear end on corner entry. Then while the rear end is light you use heavy throttle to balance the car with the active rear diff. Get it right, and you can be flat out on the throttle before hitting the apex. This works best if you're driving a "late apex" line

On the press launch videos, it was crazy watching the journalists throwing the Lobos into turns WAY too fast with the front tires howling from terminal understeer. They'd scrub off so much speed trying to stay on the course, they'd be somewhere into the next straight before they were able to get back on the gas I felt like screaming DAMN IT YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG

 

[r0tax]

You can get most of the way there by adjusting your driving style

I had made this comment to myself in my first draft of my reply. But thought I was expressing too much, for the Subject. I'm glad you mention it, because you're absolutely right. And I suppose it fits this conversation.

I'm still driving the Mav like its a 3300 lb, short wheel base, hot hatch (Focus ST).
The extra mass, the higher cog, the longer wheel base, the slow steering, the auto trans all behave differently.
I was even going to mention I need to likely implement some trailbraking, since this Auto trans does not decel/engine brake like I'm used to in a Manual.
I will have to dabble with some light trailbraking just after the initial braking before entry.

 

[Buggy Man]

I have one of these front sway bars on order - and you’re right, a rear sway bar would help reduce the understeer better. Will do that later

If you increase the stiffness of the rear sway bar, you will reduce understeer and increase oversteer. Increase the stiffness of the front bar will increase understeer and decrease oversteer.
Add stiffness to the opposite end that needs more grip.

 

[Chops]

If you increase the stiffness of the rear sway bar, you will reduce understeer and increase oversteer. Increase the stiffness of the front bar will increase understeer and decrease oversteer.
Add stiffness to the opposite end that needs more grip.

Looks like I’ll be driving serpentine?

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