Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

both front legs would have to be modified quite a bit. And even at that I'm not 100% sure it would work given how the Hotchkis brace mounts. And to be quite honest you'd have so much work involved it's not worth it. If you want the brake brace, then I'd either remove the Hotchkis STB and if you want to have one, replace it with a UMI that's under $100. Or just remove the Hotchkis brace period and sell it off.

I'm sure you can cover the cost of a UMI by flipping the Hotchkis, leaving you with a STB and the Brake brace both, without modifying anything at all. And note that I'm not saying you have to even buy another STB, that's up to you.

The issue is pretty simple. At this point the Hotchkis is the the only STB we've had a problem with in terms of no way will it work. There is not a market case to redesign the brake brace for the few cars that run that particular brand of brace. It's not an uncommon thing in the aftermarket. They opted to make their STB that way, but nobody else does. I opted to make the brake brace the way that suits the most folks, which is why I spent more to include the spacer to run it without any STB even though it cost a little more.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Posted to the Strano Performance Parts - Sam Strano Facebook page. Made my night:

"Christopher Robin Ok, folks, I just installed mine and I have to tell you: this thing is the REAL DEAL! To say this little gizmo firms up the brake pedal is an understatement if ever there was! I am blown away by how well this brace works.

Sam... you have created something great here, my friend!

I've already heard some whining on some of the forums about the price of this brace, but it is worth every penny... and Sam Strano is worthy of our support! He has stayed true to the 4th Gen hobby and approachable by 4th Gen enthusiasts, even as so many other prominent companies have shuttered their 4th Gen divisions and stop producing parts, choosing instead to move on to support newer platforms. I wouldn't even make an attempt to count up the hours this man and his company have spent providing assistance, guidance and expertise to those of us in the hobby. You NEED this part for your 4th Gen and Sam needs the support of the community he so graciously supports.

I'm telling you, this brace ranks up there with skip-shift elimination, short-throw shifters, and subframe connectors for 4th Gen "must-have" mods. You will NOT be disappointed!'"

The Alchemist

iTrader: (19)

I'm just happy to see someone is still making NEW parts for the 4th gens after all these years that makes them better.

I wonder if the clutch master cylinder moves that much as well, might be something to look into.

30thanniv

iTrader: (2)

1. I had no idea this was even and issue
2. I was preparing to buy stainless steel brake lines
3. Shame on GM for making a **** design..yet again
4. Shame that this is the only solution.
5. Kudos to Strano for coming up with something to address the problem

I am just going to use a big C-Clamp attached to my UMI strut bar, but first I am going to have it powder coated red. If you believe that I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you.

dojob

I'm sure it does flex, but due to the angle it's mounted it may not be as drastic

Majority if not all vehicles have firewall flex from brake and clutch master cylinders.

Numerous other vehicle platforms have aftermarket support, similar to this design, to help the issue.

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Completely understandable....thanks. I'll toss the idea around.

.

The Alchemist

iTrader: (19)

I'd look at the pro/con of stb vs the brake brace.... I didn't think the stb was effective much at all, but as we can clearly see, this brace is quite noticeable.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

I agree that if it's an either/or situation I know which way I'd go after having then removing the STB from my ESP car back when. In fact I have one on this mostly because I tire of explaining why I don't have one, and since so many do when it came to this part I knew I should have one for fitment reasons.

However there are those that swear by them. And if that's the case there are compatible parts where you can have both the STB and the MC brace!

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

Great more things I need.

TheSilverOne

iTrader: (22)

nice!

72firebird

Nice job Sam, looks like it'll make a huge difference and I'm planning to order one with some other suspension parts. Just curious, but why did you design it with the adjustable stop instead of using the master cylinder bolts?

JimmerZ28

Great looking piece for sure. I'll have to add it to my list of things to purchase for the car.

As the review on the site mentions, not many companies are producing newly designed stuff for these cars. For someone like me, it's great to see new innovations as I was not able to experience the excitement of new parts when these 4th gens were still new on the lot, although I did drool over them for years on end. I didn't even buy my Z28 (I didn't want to drive an F-body as a daily driver in Michigan) until 2016. I figure anything that costs $100 or less for the automotive hobby is cheap. Especially if it actually works. Hell, I've paid half of that for a container of wax.

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

I'm definitely going to buy one as soon as my car is released from winter hibernation.

Tracer Bullet

iTrader: (2)

I haven't installed mine yet, but the quality and powder coating looks top notch.

The Alchemist

iTrader: (19)

I installed mine today, and it was easy as can be to install. I didn't get a chance to drive the car, but testing the pedal pressure was an instant difference.

Blackbirdws6

iTrader: (7)

Installed mine on Saturday and took the car out on Sunday to a local fbody meet. The improvement is significant. Pedal pressure is firm/solid with none of the "give" the pedal used to have. The pedal now has the proper feel it should. The install was straightforward and easy to follow.

Braking setup for those wondering (nothing fancy) - 98-02 spindles/calipers, Hawk HP+ front pads, HP 5.0 rears and stainless lines.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

A number of reasons. I wanted to be able to add a touch of preload and you can't do that with a piece of metal. Because the cars are old, and the firewall flexes, it's pretty clear than can oilcan and it's possible that the booster isn't at the exact same spot in all cars. For that matter it's old enough that the chassis itself might have flexed some and the towers aren't in exactly the same stop relative to the booster.

And finally, I felt this was easier to install, and I think the above posts show it's a snap.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

I can tell you that between this part, my 4 piston calipers, and the Stainless lines we supply with that kit the Camaro has BY FAR the firmest brake pedal in my fleet.

My fleet includes a 2004 BMW 330Ci, a 2015 VW GTI Performance Pack, and a 2007 C6 Z06.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

I see you have stainless lines. Thoughts on this vs. those in terms of improvement in feel? I think the brace is by far more noticeable assuming the car with rubber lines had decent fluid in it to start with.

Chris Paveglio

iTrader: (2)

I put stainless lines on years ago and never thought they actually felt different. Seems like the prevailing opinion (here and FRRAX) now is stainless lines don't improve feel at all, if you're honest with yourself about it. /backToMainTopic