Does a strut tower brace do any good?
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From: Texas
Does a strut tower brace do any good? I was thinking of buying a Hotchkis strut tower brace and was wondering if it really does anything? Does it improve the handling or traction whatsoever? Whats its purpose? Is it worth buying? Thanks <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
Launching!
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From: new york
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? i just put a bmr stb on my z, with 28k on the clock and man-o-man that thing drives totaly different. mostly over bumps and off camber turns and with the oohs and ahhs from the ladies... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />
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From: Mi./Al.
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? To tell you the truth when I installed my STB I found no difference, I still think it's a good investment. The Hotchkis is a nice brace but I think you could save a few bucks and still get the same results with a www.spectaclesolutions.com
STB.
Al
STB.
Al
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From: Texas
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? Did a search...none of them had to do with my question...please give me your opinion rather than tell me to search. I posted this question to get answers, thats all, not trying to get on peoples nerves or bring up a subject again. Im sure that subjects have been brought up several times already, but maybe not in the same words, thanks alot guys.
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Launching!
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From: From Houston, Stationed in Norfolk
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? i did mine at the same time as my KBDD sub frames. between the two, i definetely felt a difference. not sure if it was from the STB though. but like everyone says, they look damn good. if you're interested in it for the looks, go with the BMR. i hear the 3-points are a PITA to install.
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Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? I did my Hotchkis strut mount& sub frames at the same time and it was definitly a nice improvement. Plus it's easy to install. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? Thread Starter
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From: Texas
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? ...there were many opinions on those 2 threads. So..is the Hotchkis STB a 2 or 3 point? If its a 2 point, is it going to make any difference? Whats the difference in having 1 extra point? So.. would you buy one and do you feel that its worth it if you are running out of things to do? So the STB is more for street driving and helps none in drag racing? Thanks
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Manhattan KS
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? I really didn't feel any difference with mine, but I'm on RSA tires, so I don't think the tires could keep up with it to feel. I think when I get on autocross tires I'll be able to feel the benefits of it.
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From: Mi./Al.
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? Hotchkis doesn't have a three point STB, there has been some concern that the three point STB can cause windshield damage. You may or may not see a difference when you install a STB, the thing is in the long run it will help keep the front towers tight.
The bottom line is if you like the Hotchkis STB then get it.
The bottom line is if you like the Hotchkis STB then get it.
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? Well a 3 point STB might have the same advantage over a 2 point compared to no STB. Confused? Put it another way. I installed a 2 point STB{don't know which brand, bought it used}, I did not notice a difference. Not saying it didn't make a difference, just I didn't notice any. Now, a 3 point should be better than a 2 point. Will it make a difference, most likely not much if any.
I bought mine used and I'm glad I did. I don't think they do much at all. Don't matter if it's a 2 or 3 point. Spend the bucks somewere else, JMO.
I bought mine used and I'm glad I did. I don't think they do much at all. Don't matter if it's a 2 or 3 point. Spend the bucks somewere else, JMO.
Launching!
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: new york
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? are these daily drivers or sunday brusers?
becuase i drive mine everyday and put on about 250 miles a week and i know everything my car does, and i did notice a big diffence with the stb.. or maybe i'm just nutz
becuase i drive mine everyday and put on about 250 miles a week and i know everything my car does, and i did notice a big diffence with the stb.. or maybe i'm just nutz
On The Tree
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From: Victoria
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? Yea, you can feel the difference i did mine right after Christmas and i love it.....wish i would have done it sooner <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? I'll say it again ...
On street tires (not very sticky)
On public streets (lots of debris and oil)
you'll never come close to applying enough forces to stretch, bend or flex the inner fender
And if it were such a great suspension addition, why don't we see this type component on NASCAR, Grand AM, Trans AM or GT cars? It's a helluva lot lighter than 4 or 5 way triangulation.
On street tires (not very sticky)
On public streets (lots of debris and oil)
you'll never come close to applying enough forces to stretch, bend or flex the inner fender
And if it were such a great suspension addition, why don't we see this type component on NASCAR, Grand AM, Trans AM or GT cars? It's a helluva lot lighter than 4 or 5 way triangulation.
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">
And if it were such a great suspension addition, why don't we see this type component on NASCAR, Grand AM, Trans AM or GT cars? It's a helluva lot lighter than 4 or 5 way triangulation. [/QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Because they are full tube chassis cars. Yes you will deflect the strut towers on a stock car if you are autox'ing or running open track days.
And if it were such a great suspension addition, why don't we see this type component on NASCAR, Grand AM, Trans AM or GT cars? It's a helluva lot lighter than 4 or 5 way triangulation. [/QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Because they are full tube chassis cars. Yes you will deflect the strut towers on a stock car if you are autox'ing or running open track days.
Re: Does a strut tower brace do any good? A strut tower brace ties the two towers together and helps prevent deflection of the towers during high loads (i.e. high cornering loads). Now a 2-point just bridges the two towers together and makes an effective "box" across the engine compartment with the firewall, this makes deflection in the upward direction more difficult. A 3-point ties in the dash with this and now completely constrains the box (to properly constrain an object with 4 sides you need 5 members to prevent matchboxing). Now the towers cannot move in the up or rearward direction.
I put a hotchkis on my '94 and notice an immedate difference. It is manly under braking, the car felt more stable, also better steering feedback. On the autocross course i can't say what effect it had on my times, but i just had a better response from the car. If your drag racing you don't, or shouldn't, have any cornering loads so that's why you won't find one on a drag race car.
I put a hotchkis on my '94 and notice an immedate difference. It is manly under braking, the car felt more stable, also better steering feedback. On the autocross course i can't say what effect it had on my times, but i just had a better response from the car. If your drag racing you don't, or shouldn't, have any cornering loads so that's why you won't find one on a drag race car.