GR Supra lightweight evo / final edition - chassis brace

[catiktiks]

Hey everyone,


I recently bought a GR Supra Lightweight EVO, and like many MK5 Supra owners in Europe, I was really disappointed with the stock sound.


This past weekend I installed an MST intake, an MST downpipe, and an AWE exhaust.


However, my problem is that on the Lightweight EVO there is the same rear chassis brace as on the Final Edition, and with the new exhaust installed there’s no room to reinstall it.


Has anyone found a good aftermarket solution or alternative brace that works with a AWE exhaust setup?


Thanks in advance

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[Eastwood]

Best solution is to remove the brace and consider buying an aftermarket brace.

 

[catiktiks]

And do you have any idea where I could find an aftermarket option? The only one I’ve been able to find so far is the Cusco brace, but it seems to sit much further forward on the car.


I assume there must be a reason why the OEM brace is mounted right before the catback.

 

[Eastwood]

And do you have any idea where I could find an aftermarket option? The only one I’ve been able to find so far is the Cusco brace, but it seems to sit much further forward on the car.


I assume there must be a reason why the OEM brace is mounted right before the catback.

The Cusco brace is not a diff brace, it's a chassis brace. I have one and think it does the job compared to the flimsy one the car came with (2023 Supra).

If you want a diff brace, there's a few options out there if you search for it. There's 2 vendors here that sell a diff brace. 1 is in preproduction pre orders, the other completed a group buy but a second one may be available if enough interest is gathered.

 

[catiktiks]

I’m open to any options
The main difficulty in my case is finding a brace that works with the pipes running through the middle. I’ve considered having a custom one fabricated, but I’m a bit concerned about rigidity and strength.


Is there any risk in driving without these braces?
Considering I’m definitely not the type to drift the car every day — far from it

 

[catiktiks]

The Cusco brace is not a diff brace, it's a chassis brace. I have one and think it does the job compared to the flimsy one the car came with (2023 Supra).

If you want a diff brace, there's a few options out there if you search for it. There's 2 vendors here that sell a diff brace. 1 is in preproduction pre orders, the other completed a group buy but a second one may be available if enough interest is gathered.

I don’t think this is a diff brace. The mounting points are located between the differential and the catback, and they’re attached on both sides to the chassis.

 

[Eastwood]

I don’t think this is a diff brace. The mounting points are located between the differential and the catback, and they’re attached on both sides to the chassis.

You're fine if you remove the brace but if you want you can still get the Cusco brace and a diff brace if you want.

FYI, this brace is from the Z4. It's used to provide structural strength since it's a convertible. Please use the search bar.

 

[Rensuhlo]

another day, another new member who doesn't know how to self-service search.

 

[PowerGetter]

You can keep the AWE exhaust you're running now, remove the Z4 brace and run the older rear braces for the Supra. Like Eastwood has mentioned -- the newer brace was intended for the Z4 because the Z4 doesn't have as much structural rigidity provided by an actual roof. Or you can find a trunk brace if you want.

 

[catiktiks]

No need to be unpleasant…
I did use the search function, but I only found one thread asking which exhaust works with the OEM braces, and another one explaining how to DIY a differential support.


I was simply asking whether any custom / aftermarket chassis braces exist that would work with my exhaust setup.


The answer is obviously no… no need to be aggressive about it.


Thanks for your answer, powergetter


I’ll look into the older rear brace and the trunk brace on my side before our two friends start barking again…

 

[Eastwood]

No need to be unpleasant…
I did use the search function, but I only found one thread asking which exhaust works with the OEM braces, and another one explaining how to DIY a differential support.


I was simply asking whether any custom / aftermarket chassis braces exist that would work with my exhaust setup.


The answer is obviously no… no need to be aggressive about it.


Thanks for your answer, powergetter


I’ll look into the older rear brace and the trunk brace on my side before our two friends start barking again…

I literally answered your question about not needing it/removing it, or going ahead and getting the Cusco brace and a diff brace if you want. Even provided you context of why that brace is there to which PowerGetter confirmed all of what I previously said about not needing it, using prior bracing and the Z4 structural integrity.

And you think asking you to please use the search bar was aggressive? You sound like a snowflake and a little ungrateful IMO.

 

[razorlab]

Will be fine to run without that brace, just like every Supra from 2019-2025 do.

 

[catiktiks]

I literally answered your question about not needing it/removing it, or going ahead and getting the Cusco brace and a diff brace if you want. Even provided you context of why that brace is there to which PowerGetter confirmed all of what I previously said about not needing it, using prior bracing and the Z4 structural integrity.

And you think asking you to please use the search bar was aggressive? You sound like a snowflake and a little ungrateful IMO.

You first told me to remove the OEM brace and buy an aftermarket one.
When I asked if you knew where to find one and mentioned Cusco, you started talking about a diff brace… which I didn’t understand, since the OEM part is clearly not a diff brace.


Then you posted a link to the search results with the comment “use forum search next time.”


It was only after that that you edited your post to explain what this brace actually does and why.


If you had simply said from the beginning: “It’s not really useful, here’s a link explaining how to build a diff brace instead, which is a better solution”, the discussion would have been over right away — exactly like powergetter and razorlab did.

 

[razorlab]

@catiktiks Also... your "lightweight" is exactly the same as the Final Edition here in North America.

The "real" Final Edition that EU/JP get does not have the brace because it runs a bespoke diff cover that would interfer with it. Also the same reason the 2026's get the M-lite diff cover with smaller cooling fins compared to the 2019-2025 Supras.

 

[Eastwood]

You first told me to remove the OEM brace and buy an aftermarket one.
When I asked if you knew where to find one and mentioned Cusco, you started talking about a diff brace… which I didn’t understand, since the OEM part is clearly not a diff brace.


Then you posted a link to the search results with the comment “use forum search next time.”


It was only after that that you edited your post to explain what this brace actually does and why.


If you had simply said from the beginning: “It’s not really useful, here’s a link explaining how to build a diff brace instead, which is a better solution”, the discussion would have been over right away — exactly like powergetter and razorlab did.

Yeah I edited it because I was trying to be nicer and provide you more context to why it’s there because I realized you probably don’t know it’s a z4 brace. I should have just left it lol

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