Project RS

[ScottyB]

added some fender braces today. sounds pretty snake-oily but after reading about people rave about them for months i decided to procure a used set for myself and see what was up. the idea is that the subaru unibody is a bit noodly between the cowl and fender area. imprezas come with braces here from the factory but they're pretty worthless. in 2007 subaru added a significantly beefier brace to the STi so there's reason to believe they do something.

after installing them i was pretty surprised. turn in is noticably increased and the car holds a line a little better at "backroads" speeds. i wasn't expecting to feel any difference until much higher speeds. i'd say if any impreza owners here are interested in a cheap and quick upgrade to the front end a used set of braces or a set of '07 STi braces would be a nice addition...although i wouldn't pay full price for pimpy new ones for what they do.

stamped tin can stockies


new set, custom machined out of an aluminum slab. they get the job done.


for installation, you would need a screwdriver for popping the inner fender out. you'll need a 10mm socket for loosening the fender a bit to pull it out for another 5 or 6 mm of room as well as taking off a fender liner fastener. you'll need a 14mm socket and/or 14mm ratcheting wrench for the lowest 3 bolts and a 14mm open end wrench and similar drive breaker bar w/universal drive for the top bolt. the bolts are painted on (they were there when the chassis was dipped at the factory) so you have to put some anger into it. once the bottom 3 bolts are off swing the brace down to get access to the top one. put the open end wrench on it and put the universal joint in the other end for leverage. installation of the aftermarket braces is super easy since almost all of them are either flat or give plenty of room.

this is where they go.