OneQuickSS

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" />

01 ls1 z28 DA BRONX

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" />

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

Been discussed, debated and beat to death over and over.

Do a search ...

DARK AGE 53

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

Black02Z28LS1

i always thought a stb was for looks thats why im getting one

OneQuickSS

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.

kman320

I felt no difference. But it does look cool under the hood.

1/4master

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.

destroyerSS

iTrader: (2)

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" />

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread...&highlight=STB

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread...&highlight=STB

OneQuickSS

...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

Ackattack

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.

DARK AGE 53

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.

Judd

iTrader: (1)

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.

01 ls1 z28 DA BRONX

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

S2S558

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" />

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

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.

BlackBird55

iTrader: (1)

</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.

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

I'm done ..

BlackBird55

iTrader: (1)

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.