Megan Racing: Front lower H-Brace, Rear Lower Tie (1-Piece!) REVIEW

[shglbmx]

Alright, so I just put these on and I got to drive with them for about 45 minutes. So far, performance gains, with a stock suspension, are minimal. I feel slightly a bit less body roll and I would have to say that for the $110 that I spent on this, I think it was really worth it. As far as how the product goes, it looks EXACTLY like the Cusco Type II Underbrace, even sprayed in the same color. The only difference with the Megan one is that it fits without any modification of the exhaust system at all. As far as the rear lower strut/tie, it was a tad bit difficult to install, but I had some help (2nd person definitely recommended) and the install for it took about an hour and a half.

Installation of the rear lower strut was difficult because I found out that you had to take out the plastic cover under the rear of the Si. You need to remove like 3 10mm bolts and a couple of pop off tabs. After that, be sure to have a jack handy when you remove the lower control arm bolts, because the LCA is going to fall a bit. It's a good idea to have a 2nd person there to help you, since the LCA can go out of alignment after you pull it out, and you may need someone to pull the wheel for you while you jack it back up into place.

The underbrace install was straightforward and took about 15minutes.

I'll try and get some pictures as soon as possible, but there is nothing to really show. The underbrace looks EXACTLY like the Cusco one. The lower rear tie looks something like this one made for the 240,
except, there is a sticker in the middle that says Megan Racing.

I highly recommend these inexpensive mods. I think these braces, coupled with the Progress rear sway and some sort of suspension system, could be alot better than I see now. I guess i'll be finding out soon, as I'll be putting in the Progress rear sway, as well as a set of prototype megan racing springs in a few weeks. :)

p.s. if anyone is still interested in picking up a set after reading this review, hit me up on PM and i'll let you know where to pick it up for the same price I did. I also have 1 set left that i'm looking to sell, so holla if you're interested.

[b20eg6hatch]

Where did you get it and how much? Also please post pics I would still like to see this stuff, especially the rear lower......thank you.

[8thgenuser]

Nice write up. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[GALAXY~SI]

any chance that may hit if lowered. Speed bumps ETC.....

[shglbmx]

Originally Posted by GALAXY~SI

any chance that may hit if lowered. Speed bumps ETC.....

nothing so far for me. we'll see how things go once i'm lowered.

[GALAXY~SI]

Originally Posted by shglbmx

nothing so far for me. we'll see how things go once i'm lowered.

Only because you said it clears the exhaust so it must hang low.

[shglbmx]

Originally Posted by GALAXY~SI

Only because you said it clears the exhaust so it must hang low.

i'll see if i can get some pictures today or something and show exactly how low it hangs on stock suspension.

[shglbmx]

[Z1 Performance]

That piece is absolutely nothing like the Cusco brace at all except for the color. It looks much more similar to the Tanabe brace which hangs low to clear the exhaust and has a bar running across the rear portion. The Cusco brace mounts around the cat rather than below it and is nearly flush to the chassis.

The rear lower tie is pretty useless on it's own as that area is pretty nicely reinforced from the factory. However, it can help when you add a larger rear sway bar. You can also keep that nice BIG factory plastic shield you removed to mount it - it just needs a little notching with a dremel to fit.

[shglbmx]

Originally Posted by Z1 Performance

That piece is absolutely nothing like the Cusco brace at all except for the color. It looks much more similar to the Tanabe brace which hangs low to clear the exhaust and has a bar running across the rear portion. The Cusco brace mounts around the cat rather than below it and is nearly flush to the chassis.

The rear lower tie is pretty useless on it's own as that area is pretty nicely reinforced from the factory. However, it can help when you add a larger rear sway bar. You can also keep that nice BIG factory plastic shield you removed to mount it - it just needs a little notching with a dremel to fit.

really sorry guys. Z1 is right. I went to go check the bar and I made a mistake. It is similar to the Tanabe one, not Cusco. Sorry for the confusion.

Yeah, I decided to just take that plastic piece off since I wanted to see my rear tie, lol. Good to know that it fits with it on, though.

[pogi666ako]

Are you gunna get the front lower tie bar? and do these come in red?

[shglbmx]

Originally Posted by pogi666ako

Are you gunna get the front lower tie bar? and do these come in red?

nah. the h-brace is alot better than the front lower tie, and there really is no need for the front tie bar, since it essentially does the same thing. the only color they come in is Cusco Blue. You could always get it powdercoated red, though. Shouldn't be too much. If you're interested in picking up a set, lemme know. Hit me up on PM.

[slimjim8481]

I just shot mine with a few coats of ppg paint. I have a GG civic and I didnt want to it to stand out too much. It took several coats of paint to cover that blue. The rear was very easy to install. I will give my review when I get the front done.

[Streethonda06]

I got all three front rear H bar... thank you for the install tips... i was going to try it myself but if its like that then i'll have a friend help

[airportguy770]

I have the tanabe H brace and progess rear sway bar. I guess the rear lower brace wouldnt hurt. Nice little stocking stuffer

[lowerlevel]

[quote=shglbmx]

+1 i recommened this brace.. great buy $60

[604_ep3]

Still waiting for me Carbing Front Upper. It's been on order now for two weeks. Need to complete the set.

[shglbmx]

thanks for the feedback so far guys. pricing is still set at $110 localpickup/dropoff or + ship, for the combo (H-Brace + rear lower tie bar), so if anyone is still interested, hit me up on PM and i'll refer you to the shop.

[slimjim8481]

When you reinstall the bolts on the LCA just remember that they are tapered at the end. I was having trouble getting the first one to start. I used a long screwdriver to allign the holes and a hammer to tap the bolt. I didnt have the foresight to call a friend before I started. Just used a floor jack to jack the arm back up and a screwdriver to pry it back into allignment. Just a tip from the unexperienced.