Jasonoff

Humm... I'll pitch in a 20 if you want to give it a try

slalom44

I've seen numerous computer crash simulations on vehicles being developed over the past several years, and I can tell you that vehicles are currently being designed to fail in a controlled, predictable manner. The manner in which the front end crumples is designed to minimize cabin intrusion and maximize the energy absorption so that the risk of injury or death is minimized.

Since the S2000 has received a 4-star rating for front-end collisions by both the NHTSA and IIHS, it can be assumed that Honda put a great deal of effort into the S2000 performing well in frontal collisions.

But from my experience, the crash simulations done by the auto manufacurers do not include aftermarket add-ons such as STBs and X-braces. Has somebody at Honda actually added these braces to a crash simulation and determined their results? Your guess is as good as mine.

We can only speculate how these braces would affect a front-end collision and my guess is that they don't do much of anything. As a front end collapses, it doesn't follow the load path of these braces. Sure, some of the load will be distributed differently, minimizing torsional distortion but I believe that if these braces offered a significant advantage, they would have been added by Honda. There are other roadsters have stock STBs.

I've seen several S2000s in a local junkyard that were in front-end collisions, and I can assume that there have probably been hundreds that have died a similar death. It is likely that a few of these had STBs and X-braces. If these cars had fatalities, rest assured the IIHS and the NHTSA would have investigated it and if aftermarket braces contributed to the deaths, we would know about it.

NFRS2kSi

??? how the hell motor would drop from bottom, when the motor is top of motor mount, which is top of the frame?

if the motor did drop bottom, it would danger the driver by making the vehicle to shoot to the air. or having a motor undereath ur foot.

now, i have seem couple times in collision where motor ends up going over the hood.

Ek9

Yeah, they're all designed to drop out the bottom. On the 350Z the driveshaft is designed to crumple in such a way that it's an additional crush zone.

You know what the engine looks like right?, it's perched on 2 motor mounts right up against the firewall. In a frontal impact, I can visualize the motor pushing backwards snapping the motor mounts, hitting the firewall which angles down, which then pushes the motor towards the ground along the transmission tunnel. That keeps it from pushing into the passenger compartment killing the passenger and driver.

slalom44

Hmmmm..... I don't see the engine coming out the bottom of this car....

Luke530

another thing to think about...

if the impact is strong enought to take the engine off the motor mounts and crumple the frame... i'm sure an x-brace is not going to do much from keeping it going in the direction it already is.

I highly doubt an x-brace is going to injure/kill someone. in an impact that harsh, you wont need to worry about an x-barce under your car.

if anything... an x-brace and strut bars may actually help in side impact collisions...

s2kBryan916

anth305

i'd imagine if the impact is strong enough to bend the frame, its going to snap the xbrace like a toothpick.

oOweEe

maybe by adding the xbrace, you will be able to maneuver away from a head on collision!

i just installed mine yesterday and its awesome! it corners with ease.

Jasonoff

FYI there is already a brace just before the clutch housing.

If what you said is the case. Sine the Xbrace sits under the front half of the oilpan the engine will slide on by.