DDMworks Backbone Brace Install

[seal9]

This Took 45 min and I was using ramps to lift the car. What a difference the Backbone Brace makes. Before when I first installed stage II on the Supercharger I cracked the windshield due to the twist in the body from the toque, Now the power gos down smooth and the car is as solid as it can be. First Pic: the DDM Backbone, mine was red. Next this is were we want it to go, its held in by 13mm bolts some of you may have to drop the exhaust I was ok it came out with no problems. All thats left is bolt up the new one I used the same bolt pattern as a header tighten from the center out. I think this was the best mod for drive-ability you can do, its simple and anyone can do this. Why GM didn't do this just don't make sense

[BSRL]

Nice! I get mine installed on Saturday. Looking forward to it.

[jchao]

What happened to the cool cut outs?

[cerberus]

Originally Posted by jchao

What happened to the cool cut outs?

Dave answered that yesterday in another thread.

Originally Posted by Dave@ddmworks

Actually the picture that Seal posted up is of the production one, the prototype had cuts in it to lighten it up, but to get the same strength we had to go thicker. So the production pieces are a little thinner, but solid, saved weight and was more rigid

We are installing them at the mod meets, right now there is a special that you save $30 if you buy both the probeam and the backbone together. We charge $75 to install both of them at the meet.

Thanks!
Dave

[Maxima]

How does the backbone brace bolt to the chassis? Actually, I've been doing some research, trying to find under car pictures of the Sky. It appears there is already a panel there. Does this panel simply reuse the same holes?

[BSRL]

Yes, it is the same size as the stock piece and uses the same holes, it is just much stiffer. The stock piece is really flimsy.

[Maxima]

Originally Posted by BSRL

Yes, it is the same size as the stock piece and uses the same holes, it is just much stiffer. The stock piece is really flimsy.

So is install basically, back out bolts, remove stock flimsy unit, and re-use the original bolts?

[Rob the Elder]

Yes, its a simple R&R but unless you are really thin, lifting the car first is the preferred method.

[Dave@ddmworks]

Originally Posted by Maxima

So is install basically, back out bolts, remove stock flimsy unit, and re-use the original bolts?

That is about it, but like rob said, lifting the car would probably make it a little easier

Also there is a new color option for them:

DDMworks- giving to the Susan G Komen for the Cure

[nasos]

actually what is the material of this thing???
and how much heavier is it compared to the stock ?

Thanks

[Dave@ddmworks]

Originally Posted by nasos

actually what is the material of this thing???
and how much heavier is it compared to the stock ?

Thanks

The Backbones are made from 6061 T6 Aluminum, the street version weighs 3 pounds more than stock and the race version weighs 7 pounds more than stock.

Thanks!
Dave

[SkyhighNY]

Originally Posted by Dave@ddmworks

That is about it, but like rob said, lifting the car would probably make it a little easier

Also there is a new color option for them:

DDMworks- giving to the Susan G Komen for the Cure

Hey Dave, I never saw that thread until now. What a wonderful idea! I think maybe you should have installed the pink on either Spiky or Sarge's cars during the meet, they would never have noticed!

[Skyvader]

I found the install simple, backed up on ramps and did it while I put in the new Magnaflow exhaust. The hardest part was getting the bolts out! I can feel the reduced body torque..it does make a difference and when you pull out the thin GM brace, you can understand why you get the body flex...