Bell Raceworks Diff Brace Install

bpchaos

Lol. Bringing this back because why not, this thing keeps on giving. It's great for drivability, but just don't plan on running exhausts. It's the OEM diff stye, but still required some creative cutting wheel massaging to fit. It's an HKS HiPower catback.



There used to be two uprights. Now there is 70% of an upright.

DarkJak

I got the Z1 installed a couple weeks ago and have the MAM diff cooler, Z1 diff cover, and Motordyne exhaust.

It was a bit tougher working around my diff cooler lines (had a wrench stuck between a bolt and an AN fitting for a good 15 minutes!) but otherwise a super basic install with no interference.

The side that mounts to the frame uses a large machined threaded nut that also sat into an existing hole on the rear brace but no rubber to dampen vibrations.
It's getting into peak winter here in Wisconsin and my neighborhood is all ice, so no driving impressions for a while, much less how it holds up at the track, but so far, so good.

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nasm

Thanks for the z1 brace feedback. However, did the exhaust make any issues in installing it? and how did you torque the upper bolts (subframe one and the upper diff bolt)

Appreciate your answer.

Regards,

DarkJak

Exhaust was fine, though IDK how Stillen's lines up.

I used a wrench inside the bracing on the nut side and hit my wrench on the bolt side (external side) as hard as I could. Also used blue threadlocker. Not ideal, but best I could do with the space. There's no room to turn a wrench, even a ratcheting one, inside the hollow rear bracing piece.

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@stupidtoycars | My track vids
09 7AT|MCS 2WNR|Topgunz Rotrex|Ecutek (Eugene)|Maxxis RC1|Titan-7 TS-5|OSG LSD|Rear Mount Derale Oil Cooler (WIP)+25 Trans Cooler|Fismo|G-LOC R12/R10|Zeta III L|NLR Wing and Splitter|CJM Pan and Fuel Hat|Radium Surge Tank|AP Racing CP9668

nasm

Appreciated, now it is clear.

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Sold: A7 370z 2014 - Stillen Catback - Testpipes - UpRev - Dropin filters - Silicon intake pipes - BC racing coil overs - Z1 Subframe collars - Z1 Engine and Trans Mounts - Oil cooler - CatchCan - Z1 brake lines. Now: I am building another car

Kzonts

Resurrecting this thread…

Has anyone installed the Z1 diff brace with Fast Intentions exhaust? Any clearance issues?

Thanks!

xxAGAVExx

I did, it’s tight but no issues.


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l 09/6MT l BP Twin Turbo Kit l E-85 w/Fuel Return l FI 18" Res CF CBE l Powertrix Ultra-Lite Coilovers l Wavetrac LSD | Lots of SPL and Carbon Fiber |

bensnaidero

@xxAGAVExx You wouldn't happen to have any pictures after the install would you? Was thinking of getting this as well and have the same exhaust.

Kzonts

Thanks!

I installed the brace today. My FI exhaust is being shipped this week. Hopefully the install goes well with no clearance issues

theART

I've got Z1 urethane diff bushings already, any point getting Z1 brace as well?

Jhill

I’ve been curious about this myself. It will make the diff even more sturdy but I worry about NVH. I’m not sure the point going poly mount only to rigid mount on the other end. If they had a way to do it with another bushing somehow then I’d feel better about it.

Kzonts

In my case I still have the stock bushings. The car only has 6,000 miles on it. I’m hoping this brace would prolong the life of the squishy rear bushing. I took it for a drive and didn’t notice any vibrations, but didn’t take it out on the highway.

Then I was thinking if this will now put the forces on other parts of the drivetrain.

Anyway, it’s easy to remove if I need to.

ZoomZ

Polyurethane is not solid. It will move and it will eventually wear out. It's just harder than rubber. Under those pressures and stress, PU will flex.

Even solid metal bushing is suseptibel to wear. Specially where the center bolt meets the bushing. Over time the metal stud will eventually elogate the aluminum. Depends on how hard you launch and power going back there.

So I'd say keeping the diff from moving at all (or limiting it) will prolong any type of bushing.

Just rememeber, that force is being transmittted somewhere else. Looking at both the Z1 and Bell set up, all the force is transmitted to a singular bush/nut in a very thin subframe wall. Not ideal, but it simple.

GK tech has a better idea with a two bolt sytem. More work but better design. What im saying is, not to use a different cover, but using the concept of a larger bushing/through bolt for the Z1/Bell Diff brace attach to the subframe.

https://youtu.be/xJoZnto4J-8?si=JG7cv2ORSoXWzBVh

Skip to 6:25 for install.

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xxAGAVExx

I took a few pics after install, as you can see it’s close but clears.





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l 09/6MT l BP Twin Turbo Kit l E-85 w/Fuel Return l FI 18" Res CF CBE l Powertrix Ultra-Lite Coilovers l Wavetrac LSD | Lots of SPL and Carbon Fiber |

ZoomZ

You can grind down to the botttom of the "Z1" logo to give even more clearance. I dont think that would cause any weakness issues.

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“Action without vision is a nightmare.”