[200q20v] Re: "UltraBernie"?

Thu Mar 15 22:40:44 EST 2001

That's correct.  From what you've told me, I conclude that it is an inferior
redesign.  What do you mean by "totally compatible and upgradeable with BB
parts"?

Bernie

> From: Dale McCormack <dale at themccormacks.org>
> Organization: Strategic Business Systems, Inc.
> Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 21:53:12 -0600
> To: Bernie Benz <b.m.benz at prodigy.net>
> Cc: George Sidman <sidman at montereynet.net>, 200q20V mailing list
> <200q20v at audifans.com>
> Subject: [200q20v] Re: "UltraBernie"?
> 
> Bernie:
> Does this  mean you don't even want one to evaluate?
> 
> Other readers: 
> If put into production this proposed bi-directionally rigid design would
> be totally compatible and upgradeable with BB parts that have been
> recently discussed and announced for sale.
> 
> Other readers discussion or input?
> 
> 
> 
> Bernie Benz wrote:
>> 
>> Dale,
>> 
>> I've expressed my thoughts to George and maybe copied the list, I don't
>> remember, on trying to use a strut brace in a bidirectional force mode, i.e.
>> commpression and tension.  So, here it is again, from a slightly different
>> perspective.  You can't help but loose overall system stiffness because the
>> strut tower rubber bushings have very nonlinear force/deflection
>> characteristics.  They are softest at zero deflection and stiffen rapidly
>> either side of zero.  (Akin to the zero crossover complications of designing
>> a p-p amplifier, George, excepting this is nonlinear rail to rail.)  The
>> compression only strut can and must be set up to avoid the zero force cross
>> over by moving its operating point away from zero to one of a greater
>> bushing deflection, thus taking advantage of the resultant increased
>> stiffness.  So, IMO, you are sacrificing functional performance as well as
>> increasing weight and drasticly increasing the cost of the brace with your
>> "lily guilding".
>> 
>> If there were a good reason to design an adjustable strut for bidirectional
>> forces there are much cheaper and lighter designs than right and left hand
>> threading a thick walled tube, one of which I have used for the lower
>> control arms on a Lotus.  But I won't describe it, as you don't need it.
>> Do what you wish, but please don't "UltraBernie" my design and sell it as
>> such.
>> 
>> Bernie
>> 
>>> From: Dale McCormack <dale at themccormacks.org>
>>> Organization: Strategic Business Systems, Inc.
>>> Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 16:06:09 -0600
>>> To: Bernie Benz <b.m.benz at prodigy.net>
>>> Subject: Re: "UltraBernie"?
>>> 
>>> Dear Bernie,
>>> 
>>> Thanks for your support and creativity too.
>>> 
>>> I've been corresponding offlist, as well as on, with George Sidman
>>> regarding the compression/tension issues of the EMT tube.
>>> 
>>> In talking with my machinist, we're going to fabricate a few LH and RH
>>> threaded tubes, with a thicker wall diameter, to correspond with LH & RH
>>> rod ends/jam nuts.  This change will lock the strut towers in both
>>> directions.  Despite this not being part of your original design, on the
>>> surface I can't see how it could be harmful, and perhaps an improvement,
>>> under certain conditions.  Regardless, you'll have a copy for evaluation
>>> soon.  Please supply me with your mailing address.
>>> 
>>> Thanks again,
>>> 
>>> Dale
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Bernie Benz wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Hi Dale,
>>>> 
>>>> I'm glad to see that someone, you have decided to take over parts fab and
>>>> distribution on the Benz Brace.  This should make it much easier for many
>>>> to
>>>> impliment this upgrade.  As you may know, I have built 3 of these strut
>>>> braces, two installed on type 44 chassis cars per the site pictures, and
>>>> one
>>>> currently being installed on my 89 chassis 90Q-20V, now that I have moved
>>>> the battery out of the way and to a new location under the rear seat.
>>>> Inasmuch as some of our 89 chassis brothers may also be interested in
>>>> parts,
>>>> I will take the liberty to send this post to the 20V List also.
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> 
>>>> Bernie
>>>> 
>>>>> From: Dale McCormack <dale at themccormacks.org>
>>>>> Organization: Strategic Business Systems, Inc.
>>>>> Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 13:59:04 -0600
>>>>> To: 200q20v at audifans.com
>>>>> Subject: [200q20v] "BernieBrace" Part Orders Now Accepted
>>>>> 
>>>>> To:  "BernieBrace" Inquirers
>>>>> From:  Dale McCormack
>>>>> RE: Initial Production of Strut BraceAdapter Nuts, et. al.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thanks to many of you for your initial indication of interest in
>>>>> purchasing two (or more) Strut Adapter Nuts (SAN) for the Audifans 200
>>>>> turbo Quattro (or other Audi Type 44 vehicle) as mentioned in the qlist
>>>>> mail.
>>>>> 
>>>>> There has been sufficient interest that I will be providing both the SAN
>>>>> and/or Rod Ends w/Jam Nuts for completing most of the Strut Brace
>>>>> (a.k.a. "BernieBrace").  In addition to my parts, the strut brace design
>>>>> calls for approximately 40" of EMT thinwall tubing and some "hand
>>>>> fitment" to complete the job.  See the following location for complete
>>>>> instructions: http://members.aol.com/c1j1miller/strutbrace.html
>>>>> 
>>>>> Part Prices:
>>>>> 1 pair SAN nuts (one car)   $23.00
>>>>> 2 pair SAN nuts (two cars)   $41.00
>>>>> 1 pair Rod Ends w/Jam Nuts (one car) $37.50
>>>>> 
>>>>> Shipping (to same address):
>>>>> $4.00 (nuts only up to three sets)
>>>>> $7.50 nuts & rod ends  (one or two complete sets)
>>>>> Larger orders contact for quote.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Ordering:
>>>>> Please 1) email your order (dale at themccormacks.org) and 2) promptly mail
>>>>> check payable to (sorry for the pita redundancy, but it will speed
>>>>> delivery):
>>>>> Strategic Business Systems, Inc.
>>>>> 3885 S. Decatur,  Suite 2010
>>>>> Las Vegas, NV  89103
>>>>> 
>>>>> Yes, a website IS under development w/credit card convenience.
>>>>> Unfortunately, it's not yet functional. An update will advise when it
>>>>> is.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Delivery
>>>>> Please allow three - four weeks for initial production and delivery.
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> 200q20v mailing list
>>>>> 200q20v at audifans.com
>>>>> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/200q20v
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