SMERC Engineering upper strut brace

Sincity · 09-26-2009, 07:22 PM

SMERC just did a test fitting and a photo shoot of their production ready upper strut tower bar on my C63 this morning. It is a very high-quality piece. Just look at those welds on the brackets. The brackets are made of steel that is powder coated in a texture finish and the aluminum bar is a solid piece that is anodized in black. You can still remove your airboxes by simply removing the bar from the mounts by using a wrench and Allen key.

Our front unibody chassis is quite stiff from the factory from what I understand. I noticed that the driver side strut tower has a factory brace tying it in with the firewall, but, the passenger side doesn't have such brace. This brace just ties everything together. Subjectively speaking, it does seem to make steering a bit more responsive when I was doing a slalom manuever on the street. However, I only had the vehicle for 1200 miles since new and haven't driven it too aggresively to further evaluate.

Installation is a simple DIY and shouldn't take you more than 15 minutes.

As far as weight, spec, pricing, and availibility, you will need to contact forum member TheDarkSide from SMERC Engineering. He did tell me that SMERC is in the process of being a forum sponsor and will be introducing the first batch to the forum soon. This brace is not C63 specific and will also fit the C300 and C350.

The following pics are not from the photoshoot but are my own using a P&S camera.

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C63 Guy · 09-26-2009, 08:18 PM

Looks really nice!

Josh

dmyrick · 09-26-2009, 08:36 PM

I wont one what is the price?

Sincity · 09-26-2009, 08:54 PM

Not sure on pricing. Contact member: TheDarkSide.

TheDarkSide · 09-26-2009, 10:53 PM

Hey Guys! Special thanks to Reggie for helping us out! SMERC Engineering's MBWorld Sponsorship starts until October 1st, so we wont be able to promote our products for a few more days. We'll get everyone more info on the 1st!

Thanks Everyone!

AkaSigFreak · 09-27-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDarkSide

Hey Guys! Special thanks to Reggie for helping us out! SMERC Engineering's MBWorld Sponsorship starts until October 1st, so we wont be able to promote our products for a few more days. We'll get everyone more info on the 1st!

Thanks Everyone!

This makes me happy. I hate having a secret.

Sincity · 09-27-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkaSigFreak

This makes me happy. I hate having a secret.

I didn't ask how long Yuta had this in development. When did he first started the project?

C63 DTM AMG · 09-27-2009, 02:34 PM

is a single piece possible without any nuts and bolts?
just worried about the brackets holding up...

Sincity · 09-27-2009, 04:06 PM

The brackets are the least of your worries about it holding up. I'll let TheDarkside answer your question about a single unit. But I'll put in my $.02. I like the multi-piece better because I do not have to remove the entire bar @ the strut towers to service the engine filters.

TheDarkSide · 09-28-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sincity

I didn't ask how long Yuta had this in development. When did he first started the project?

We were able to finish the project in 55 days. Not too bad for all the work we ended up doing including the cad, prototyping, testing, photoshoots, setting up the website, advertising...etc.

CrAZyVeGAsBoY · 09-28-2009, 08:08 PM

Wanted to be the first to post it up, the offical price on it is $329.99, I just got mine this last weekend, looks great and it does stiffen up the car more, to test this i drove mine and then my buddies C that didnt have one, not a night and day thing but you can definatly tell. Looks great with that powdercoated black and you cant beat that price, great job Smerc i love it

C63 DTM AMG · 09-28-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sincity

The brackets are the least of your worries about it holding up. I'll let TheDarkside answer your question about a single unit. But I'll put in my $.02. I like the multi-piece better because I do not have to remove the entire bar @ the strut towers to service the engine filters.

i agree and that is why i am wondering. if its just as stiff/ even stiffer than a single piece unit then i wont have to worry about removing the entire unit to service the filters...then again i only remove them about every 6 months so a single piece is just my preference

mkonei · 09-29-2009, 08:16 AM

blends in nicely with that finish, good choice

UGOTMOPPED · 09-29-2009, 09:11 AM

Sound's like I might pick one up...Just for shyt's and giggles.

Sincity · 09-29-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UGOTMOPPED

Sound's like I might pick one up...Just for shyt's and giggles.

You are giggling now because of your K2 install.

MJ50 · 09-29-2009, 02:47 PM

wow, finally a strut bar for MBs....
they should make one for W211...

Flame3g · 09-29-2009, 05:56 PM

i like it we need one for the w209 also

NORTH 44 C63 · 09-29-2009, 06:41 PM

Nice work. I'm in when your ready.

jangy · 09-29-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sincity

The brackets are the least of your worries about it holding up. I'll let TheDarkside answer your question about a single unit. But I'll put in my $.02. I like the multi-piece better because I do not have to remove the entire bar @ the strut towers to service the engine filters.

Why add it if you don't go with performance? Strut towers should be STIFF. I understand if just for looks. I would go chromoly and 1 piece

jangy · 09-29-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAZyVeGAsBoY

Wanted to be the first to post it up, the offical price on it is $329.99, I just got mine this last weekend, looks great and it does stiffen up the car more, to test this i drove mine and then my buddies C that didnt have one, not a night and day thing but you can definatly tell. Looks great with that powdercoated black and you cant beat that price, great job Smerc i love it

Nice price!! What is it made out of? Also the hardware?

dmyrick · 09-29-2009, 07:52 PM

it would have to be a one piece unit to interest me, sorry.

Jae Duk · 09-29-2009, 08:51 PM

How does it fit on C63, C300, and C350? I thought our engine sizes were different?

jangy · 09-29-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jae Duk

How does it fit on C63, C300, and C350? I thought our engine sizes were different?

It is a strut tower support, so it doesn't bolt to the motor. It just needs to clear the top of the motor.

CrAZyVeGAsBoY · 09-29-2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jangy

Why add it if you don't go with performance? Strut towers should be STIFF. I understand if just for looks. I would go chromoly and 1 piece

I believe this product is made from 6061 aluminum, which is very strong and stiff and should preform just as well as chromoly. This aluminum strut bar does not have any flex becasue there using a 0.5 inch thickness bar. Not to mention chromoly is 3 times heavier than aluminum and we all know weight is a always a factor.

CrAZyVeGAsBoY · 09-29-2009, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmyrick

it would have to be a one piece unit to interest me, sorry.

Well the clk 63 black series strut brace is not a one piece unit. I dont think AMG would have built a 3 piece brace if it was meaningless.

09-26-2009, 08:18 PM	#2
C63 Guy Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 640 Drives: 2009 C63 AMG aka The Silver Dragon	Looks really nice! Josh __________________ Custom steel widebody, Weistec full build, Dads carbon hood. And more...

09-26-2009, 08:54 PM	#4
Sincity MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Vegas and Vancouver, BC Posts: 5,502 Drives: '86 190e restoration project, '08 Acura RDX, '09 C63 AMG	Not sure on pricing. Contact member: TheDarkSide. __________________ "Unofficial Member" of the Vancouver Benz crew.

09-26-2009, 10:53 PM	#5
TheDarkSide Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 278 Drives: C300 4MATIC (w204)	Hey Guys! Special thanks to Reggie for helping us out! SMERC Engineering's MBWorld Sponsorship starts until October 1st, so we wont be able to promote our products for a few more days. We'll get everyone more info on the 1st! Thanks Everyone! __________________ SMERC C300 Sport 4Matic (W204) - SMERC Strut Tower Brace - SMERC Prototype High-Flow Cats Down-Pipes (100% Bolt-on) Pics - SMERC Prototype Mid-Pipes (100% Bolt-on) Pics - H&R Sport Springs - Forgestar F14 Matte Black - EBC Red Ceramic Brakes Sponsors: Paladin Advanced Auto Pro-Tect Film FX Carbon Fiber

09-27-2009, 04:06 PM	#9
Sincity MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Vegas and Vancouver, BC Posts: 5,502 Drives: '86 190e restoration project, '08 Acura RDX, '09 C63 AMG	The brackets are the least of your worries about it holding up. I'll let TheDarkside answer your question about a single unit. But I'll put in my $.02. I like the multi-piece better because I do not have to remove the entire bar @ the strut towers to service the engine filters. __________________ "Unofficial Member" of the Vancouver Benz crew.

09-28-2009, 08:08 PM	#11
CrAZyVeGAsBoY Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Read the name Posts: 290 Drives: C300 4matic Sport, CBR 954	Wanted to be the first to post it up, the offical price on it is $329.99, I just got mine this last weekend, looks great and it does stiffen up the car more, to test this i drove mine and then my buddies C that didnt have one, not a night and day thing but you can definatly tell. Looks great with that powdercoated black and you cant beat that price, great job Smerc i love it __________________ The biggest variable in racing is still always the driver.

09-26-2009, 08:36 PM	#3
dmyrick Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: prattville alabama Posts: 533 Drives: C63	I wont one what is the price?

09-27-2009, 02:34 PM	#8
C63 DTM AMG Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NYC's Fastest Posts: 337 Drives: Radio Flyer Big Flyer fully loaded with training wheels and NOS	is a single piece possible without any nuts and bolts? just worried about the brackets holding up...

09-29-2009, 08:16 AM	#13
mkonei Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Delran, NJ Posts: 689 Drives: 05 C55	blends in nicely with that finish, good choice

09-29-2009, 09:11 AM	#14
UGOTMOPPED Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 522 Drives: 11' R8 - 11' RR Sport	Sound's like I might pick one up...Just for shyt's and giggles. __________________ 2012 - R8 V10 Spyder - TUBI/GMG/APR 2013 Audi RS5 - SOLD 2013 Audi S6 - SOLD 2012 Audi R8 V10 - Tubi/APR/MaCarbon + more! 2012 Audi A7 - SOLD 2011 Audi R8 V8 w Tubi/ADV1 - SOLD 2011 Range Rover Sport - SOLD 2010 BMW X5M - 22" HRE's - SOLD 2009 C63 - Kleeman/KW/HRE - SOLD

09-29-2009, 02:47 PM	#16
MJ50 Moderator 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: S. Pasadena, CA Posts: 9,255 Drives: 203, 211 & 204	wow, finally a strut bar for MBs.... they should make one for W211... __________________ 2003 C240 MBenzNL (PTS, IMS, euro COMAND, folding/convex mirrors, euro bi-xenons, SAM, MHI, euro trunklid, euro mat, steering wheel, etc...) 2004 E55 MBenzNL (057,219,390,428,500,527,615,682,816,881,882,884, CLS63 IC, AMG Airbag, iPod, Euro Door Pins/Convex Mirrors/Trunklid), SL65 rims, RENNtech pulley 2004 ML350 MBenzNL (rearview mirror, steering wheel, euro convex mirror) SOLD 2011 C300 55W HID, 5K LED Eyelids 323.205.MJ50 Google Voice

09-29-2009, 05:56 PM	#17
Flame3g MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fairfield, Ca Posts: 1,393 Drives: CLK500 SPORT	i like it we need one for the w209 also __________________ 2005 CLK500 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 2006 Maserati Coupe Vintage Pkg Current Mods: 17" Factory AMG's (Refinishing) Nitto Motivo 225/45 & 245/45 (on the way) Dual Projector Headlamps 6K HIDs 06-09 Factory 3 Slat Grill Cobra XRS R10G Radar/Laser Detector Frozen Rotors (Fronts & Rear w/Akebono Pads) H&R Springs-H&R Sway Bars-H&R Spacers 5(F)10(R)-Bilstein S&S StopTech SS Brake Lines Silver Painted Calipers :-) Future Mods Supersprint Quad Exhaust/Factory Bluetooth

09-29-2009, 06:41 PM	#18
NORTH 44 C63 MBWorld Fanatic! 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: 43°38'N / 79°52'W Posts: 1,725 Drives: EuroCharged 2012 C63 BS Coupè	Nice work. I'm in when your ready. __________________ ///EuroCharged C63 BS COUPÉ - DIAMOND WHITE/// + B25 http://www.youtube.com/user/c63me

09-29-2009, 07:52 PM	#21
dmyrick Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: prattville alabama Posts: 533 Drives: C63	it would have to be a one piece unit to interest me, sorry.

09-29-2009, 08:51 PM	#22
Jae Duk MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Palos Verdes/La Jolla Posts: 1,191 Drives: '09 C63	How does it fit on C63, C300, and C350? I thought our engine sizes were different?

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