Floorman279

iTrader: (11)

why r these needed? I'm assuming to keep the body straight/structurally sound. when is it a good idea to get one?

leadfoot4

iTrader: (1)

The general idea for the two point braces, is to counteract the chassis flex that cornering loads place on one side of the car, by bracing the engine bay laterally. A 3 point tower brace also counters longitudinal flexing by tying in the cowl.

Old Blue

iTrader: (2)

I have one just because it looks cool....but I was told that the "F" body front end is pretty solid and they are not a nessary item????

toadzq8

iTrader: (43)

Ya! there great as something to lean on while your cleaning your motor.

Floorman279

iTrader: (11)

lol ok. I'm asking because I may be getting a fast 102 and heard a brace won't fit with one

babbage1109

iTrader: (11)

Not without spacers for the stb. And then you have to worry about hood clearance.

Arctic2002ss

I don't notice any chassis difference with mine on or off (and I seem to notice those things more than many). It is body color and does look good though.

TransWS6Am

iTrader: (41)

i don't even think spaces will work with a 102, spacers wont with the SLP brace i know that for 100% sure. I'm going to see if MWC will make me one to clear my 102.
On a side note, iv heard the 3 point braces are bad news, they have been known to crack the windshield.

firemech21

iTrader: (9)

I have heard the 3 point setup is bad too, I know i only put the brace on my car because I paid $13 for the BMR brace.

TransWS6Am

iTrader: (41)

its weird isn't it? People say that strut tower braces are useless on our cars, yet the 3 points some how crack windshields, there has to be some kind of chassis twist going on up there for them to be cracking windshields.

02nwZ28

Hmmmm...I think you might have something there

mikey67

The reason strut tower braces aren't a necessity is because 4th gens don't have "struts" in the traditional sense. 4th gen front suspensions have upper control arms, macpherson strut front ends do not. The majority of the load forces are applied to the k member and not the shock towers.

V68Sweep

I have a strut tower brace (see my sig) and when I installed it I felt I could tell a difference in overall front chassis stiffness. Then again, my shocks right now are complete garbage, so maybe any flex/bend/sway adjustment is magnified because of this.

Old Blue

iTrader: (2)

that make perfect sence to me....never thought about it....but I'm sure your right!!

Old Blue

iTrader: (2)

i made mine from DOM Tubing and made the mounting brackets from some 2' X 2" tubing. Mine clears the intake plenty but it does rub the hood just a little bit:

leadfoot4

iTrader: (1)

OH REALLY????? And where do the upper shock mounts, which happen to have the upper a-arms attached through them, mount????





In the upper shock towers!



I live in western New York, where the roads are horrible, and I've had a 3 point brace in my car for the last 14 years. So far, knock on wood, no windshield issues.....

HAZ-Matt

iTrader: (8)

Yes, really.

The STB was much more useful on the 3rd gen Fbodies due to the different front suspension and the less rigid chassis.

Now if you have a preponderance of lap time data or some analysis of the forces at work on the suspension, k-member and "strut towers" that you would like to produce that would be nice.

In the absence of that data it will be hard to reconcile why practically everyone with experience racing these cars don't think they are needed with your hypothesis.

3 pedal SS

iTrader: (1)

I can notice a difference with my SHOCK tower brace on. It isnt a big change,but I feel its worth it.

Tommyv8

iTrader: (8)

Can't tell the difference. Then again I can't tell the diffeence between having a front sway bar and not having one, so take that for what it's worth.

leadfoot4

iTrader: (1)

I'm fully aware of the difference between the 3rd and 4th gen front ends, as I owned a 3rd gen car as well.....