Longs Reinforcement Questions, I don't understand the different kits or options yet Options

[JmuRiz]

Has anyone actually done both the Brad Meyeur and Engman kits?

If so, was there any difference after installing the second one?

Just curious...

[wreglesworth]

Hi,
I need to do something with my longitudinals as they are starting to look ugly.
My question is that in looking at the Brad Mayeur's kit, do you need to remove the door sills to make it work properly or do you weld the pieces into place without needing to remove the sills?

I see that restoration designs (and others AA and Pelican) have very nice clam shell pieces but my concern is that it will be a lot more work dealing with the sills.

Can anyone speak to which option is better in terms of strength and ease of installation?

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

[Andyrew]

We need to see the condition of your longs now.. Most likely you should repair any rust first, THEN stiffen the longs. Adding the stiffeners would just be a band aid if you didnt repair the underlying problem.

[sean_v8_914]

I did a car with both for a customer. both at the same time so i did not get to compare each addition.
to properly advise you we need to know more about your intended use and current condition of the car.
some guys have the budget to fix it right and some just want to patch and drive.

[ChrisFoley]

I can't stand the way the Brad Mayeur pieces tie in to the rear outer consoles.
So what I do is cut them off at the point where my console reinforcing kit begins.

The Engman kit is good but the Mayeur kit is a bit stiffer based on my experience. Both require about the same time for installation.

IMO, the ever popular "GT stiffening kit" is a near complete waste, and actually puts metal in a couple of undesirable places.

The Mayeur kit does not require removal of the sills. However, removal of the jack posts and the A pillar outer reinforcements is required to do the complete installation.

There were two different driver side longitudinals, depending on which parking brake handle was installed. The early cars with the articulated brake handle are not prone to cracking at the hand brake notch in the frame as the later cars are.

[McMark]

More info to add to the debate.

Look at how deep/wide the inner C section is compared to the outer. It would seem like the outer section, which is shallow as well as ribbed, would already be strong and therefore the inner would be the weak section and would most benefit from reinforcement.

The arrows point to the joining lines between the inner and outer sections.

[mepstein]

IMO, the ever popular "GT stiffening kit" is a near complete waste, and actually puts metal in a couple of undesirable places.

Chris - I'm dropping a 3.2 into my car and adding an engman kit. Would you suggest I leave off the GT stiff kit? Would you add something else or leave, as-is? Thanks, Mark

[iamchappy]

I put both kits, inner and outer into my car and reinforced the Ears, left out the GT kit.
I didn't have to worry about the extra weight, the turbo engine compensated for that.

[ChrisFoley]

Look at how deep/wide the inner C section is compared to the outer. It would seem like the outer section, which is shallow as well as ribbed, would already be strong and therefore the inner would be the weak section and would most benefit from reinforcement.

I disagree.
If what you say is true, it would have been better to use two of the outer panels and save space.
It's the combined shape of a box beam that makes the longitudinals work, and the wider crossection is definitely better.
If one stiffens either side of the box the entire unit will be stronger.
The Brad Mayeur kit is thicker. It makes the chassis stiffer.
I'm not convinced that the engman piece across the firewall is of great value. That part of the firewall is already box shaped and part of a larger panel as well. It isn't susceptible to flexing IMO.
I tested the flex on several chassis' earlier this year and the stiffest one was reinforced with a modified Brad Mayeur Kit.

[ChrisFoley]

Chris - I'm dropping a 3.2 into my car and adding an engman kit. Would you suggest I leave off the GT stiff kit? Would you add something else or leave, as-is? Thanks, Mark

I would leave off the GT kit.
I think my rear pickup bracing kit is a good choice when stiffening any 914 with more than about 150 hp. Bracing the inner consoles as a minimum, is adequate to prevent stress cracking for most any -6 street application.

[JmuRiz]

What needs reinforcing on the suspension console? I'm guessing I'll have to look into this for my conversion.