I'm thinking about getting a BMR Strut Tower Brace for my 93Z LT1. I have a few bolt ons and I think after my new Headers/Exhaust setup I'm gonna begin modding with a few suspension parts, Subframe Connectors, Springs, Shocks etc. I probably won't do everything you can to the suspension but I've heard it's a good place to start and I can do a lot of it myself.

Anyway, I know the Strut Tower Brace isn't worth much on a LS1 but what about my LT1... $99 bucks ain't bad for a cheap mod, and I might be able to pick one up used for cheaper. Worth the money?

 

I like mine...

 

You can find them in the for sale section for about $50. I think UMI has them for $59 new. UMI is the same as the BMR. As far as worthwile, can't hurt. But SFC's are a better first suspention mod.

 

Yeah I plan on Subframe Connectors when I get the money, right now I just want to mod my car cheap... I feel bad for leaving the beast sit with problems :-(.

 

I think the STB is mostly cosmetic. Some will argue it, but my $0.02.

 

Yeah, I've heard that too... I like the look, and if I can pick one up for around 50-60 bucks why the hell not .

 

I have said it before, I will say it again. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! Look dude, save up the 200+ bucks for some decent SFC's. Forget the STB for now. That should be one of the last things you put on. I mean listen to yourself.....

Dude, you're only cheating yourself by going "cheap".

 

you can get some spohn sfc's from byunspeed for $150 and no shipping. i got mine put in for $65. save your $50 and get something that actually works. the stb does look good so if thats what you're after go for it.

 

Yeah they're worthless on a 4th gen regardless of what type of engine is in the car. They are more usefull on cars that actually have struts. So 3rd gen or on Mustangs.

 

Yeah I decided to go with Subframe Connectors instead, I'm deciding between BMR and Spohn at the moment. I did sound pretty crazy, thanks for straightening me out lol.

Nevermind, just realized Spohn doesn't make them for LT1. Looks like I'm gonna go with BMR.

 

SLP makes great SFC's if you want the best.

 

I put one on my 1995 LT1 Firebird Formula and noticed a difference right away. holds the road better and much more stiff in the front end. love taking corners now, just have to be careful sometimes the rear end likes to pop out alittle more often now. I paid 75.00 shipped BMR strut brace

 

You are responding to a discussion that happened 6 years ago btw..

 

4th gens do have struts lol my bmr STB made a noticeable difference but I autocross it so I actually push the car to the point where you would notice it. 99% of people don't and hence don't notice it

 

Actually, they do not have struts. They have shocks. Struts are a load bearing component of the suspension. In a 4th gen, the shocks do nothing but control spring rate.

 

You are responding to a discussion that happened 2 years ago btw..

 

Doing a STB on both my SS & RS as the first suspension mods were noticeable in quick lane changes and U-turns -- just drive before and after the install, and you will feel the front end track truer and tighter.

Yes other things can give an even bigger benefit, but this is the easiest improvement.

 

The placebo effect is a true phenomenon that is documented by clinical studies. I'm not saying that a STB does not provide some differences in handling characteristics - I have no experience with STB's - but I would be interested in solving this debate.

What we would need is an experiment. Have a subject drive a test car a number of times, the more the merrier. Each time, he/she will walk away from the car for 10 minutes to a disclosed area where someone will "work" on the car - the controllers may either elect to take off or put on a STB unbeknownst to the driver. The driver, then, will drive around a parking lot/course and give his subjective opinion as to whether or not there is/isn't a STB. If the car is driven around for 10,20 or 30 times I would say a STB brace does provide some type of positive driver feedback if subject can identify correctly 75%+ of the time - so 7.5, 15, and 22.5 times respectively. I know it's an arbitrary number but you'd figure statistically, anyone would have a 50% chance at correctly identifying if there is a STB on car or not.

Until someone does this, the jury is still out.

 

I guess the search function works?

 

search function ftw