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Tanabe Sustec UnderBrace 92-96 Prelude 4th gen Install & Review

Review by: SuperHonda.com

Overview
Application: Tanabe Sustec Under Brace / 4g Prelude (92-96)
Part Number: TBTUB008F 
Tools Needed: 17MM Socket, Ratchet, 3/8th 1-2inch extension, 2 JackStands , 2+ ton car jack.
Installation Time: 40-120 Minutes
Part Supplied by: TOP END Motorsports

 

Installation

This is actually a pretty straight forward install. The directions come completely in Japanese, they are pretty useless except for the graphic reference which is also pretty confusing. You can discard those now, cause we are here :). (dont discard it, you might just need that graphic reference)

 

1. Be sure to be on a flat & level surface. Set E-brake up as hard as possible.

2. Place the jack underneath front of car and jack up your car via the front mount point, its a bar that has a hook on the end.

We had to do it on the side, because the car is low. Then get ready for jackstand musical chairs. Youll need to move them all around till you can get the jack under the front of the car. And then place the two jackstands under the jackpoints behind the front tires (standard tire change jack point). Once thats in place. Remove the jack from the front of car. Also roll up jacks wont work with this as your suspension will need to hang.

3. From underneath the front of the car, proceed to find the lower suspension arm bolt.

4. Once located, use the 17mm socket, ratchet and extension to remove the 17mm Bolt that goes into the lower suspension arm. Then repeat for the other arm. The bolt is long and goes through two screw sections. So once it starts to spin easy. Give it a tug and it will pull out to the next section. Then you continue to unscrew until it comes completely out. At first youll think its not really moving, just keep working at it. It takes a bit of time to come out.

5. You will now need to swing around the jack , place it underneath the suspension arm and raise it a little so the arm lines up with the hole. Now you get the bolt , stick it through the sustec bar.



Its cup portion is facing you of course. Bolt goes through the hole. You proceed to tighten it on through. Then it will get easy. Now you push it and it should slide down through. Now continue to screw in the next section for the bolt. This is also a bit tricky. You might get lucky and have it start screwing on no problem. One of our sides we needed to goto the other side and see how the arm was lining up with the hole. Move it so its lined up and it will then start to tighten, get it close but dpnt fully tighten it. Leave it so you can maneuver the underbrace around.

Repeat for the other side. Then fully tighten both bolts.


 

6. Now its installed and your ready to go. Be careful when testing.

 

Review

This suspension/chassis product is a worthwhile add-on to any setup. The cost is under 100 dollars, weighs only 1lb for the Prelude so you dont sacrifice weight for better handling. Its straight forward and easy to install. It has a blue / purple metallic finish and a Tanabe Sustec Plauqe, looks great. Awesome welding and super stiff for its weight. The Preludes get the 2 point bar. But it still helps.

Only problem is finding these in stock. Our part supplier Topendmotorsports.com had a few in stock at a great price and quick shipping. Check out their site for ordering. Order it here.

After taking it for a test drive. The car felt better, but things are hard to describe. Maybe more time in the car will show more of its benefits. It seems to be more solid. Maybe not as much as a strut tower bar / brace. But definitely better. Turning on high speed sweepers seemed more stable. Car seemed more direct and ready to go right away to where you put it. Will be taking the car to an autocross for further testing.

Final test complete: Went to the autocross for some good testing. I believe it helped the car stay more stable while also helping the car turn quicker on a very tight course. This part increases the suspension / chassis stiffness which will always improve the overall handling of a car. The points are mounted right where the lower suspension arms connect to the chassis. The perfect point to reduce chassis flex, while also making sure the suspension arms get maximum benefit.


 

Part Supplied by: TOP END Motorsports
Order it Here: TOP END Motosports UnderBrace Section 
Get more reviews in our forums: Thread soon to be posted.

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