When I did the rear seat delete in my GT, I opted to add the rear shock tower brace to maintain some of the torsional rigidity. That being said, I also have a LCAs, FLSFCs and a Panhard bar. Without the rear seat steel brace, I believe there is some benefit of having the shock tower brace to tie everything together.
Neither MM nor Griggs (I may be wrong) sell such an animal nor do they recommend it. The rear is tied together by the frame, the trunk floor, as well as the upper pillars and body panels, whereas the front isn't. Hell, Griggs doesn't even offer a front bar in their top GR-40 package:
On my car, with all the MM parts I had, there simply wasn't a use for it. IMO, the rear bar is more of a gimmick from the import world more than anything.
I've researched quite a bit about mustang suspension and chassis design and optimization for open track, auto X and drag racing. Everything I've read says there is no benefit to running a rear shock tower brace on a mustang. If you want to read it in writing from a more reputable source than stangnet, then take a look at the Mustang Performance Handbook II, by Mathis. This book focuses on suspension and chassis upgrades for all types of mustangs, including open track and auto-X, and is a huge asset if you really want to modify your car to handle. He recommends not wasting your time or money on a rear brace, because it is not useful on a mustang.
Just think about the geometry of installing a rear shock tower brace. The rear shocks carry none of the weight of the vehicle and have absolutely NO EFFECT on the geometry of the rear suspension. The geometry is governed completely by the control arms. Futhermore, the shocks are mounted to the frame with rubber... you aren't going to strengthen the chassis with a bar suspended by rubber or polyurethane mounts.
The front on the other hand is a whole different story. The front struts have a major effect on the suspension geometry.
Thats how things are improved, invented, and made to make driving better by not listening to people who live and die by the book. Thinking outside the norm is what car modding is about.*Enter National Anthem, wipe tear from eye* This my friends, is what the U.S. is all about. *Dramatic Exit and Flyover from Stealth Bomber*
Just think about the geometry of installing a rear shock tower brace. The rear shocks carry none of the weight of the vehicle and have absolutely NO EFFECT on the geometry of the rear suspension. The geometry is governed completely by the control arms. Futhermore, the shocks are mounted to the frame with rubber... you aren't going to strengthen the chassis with a bar suspended by rubber or polyurethane mounts.
The front on the other hand is a whole different story. The front struts have a major effect on the suspension geometry.
Seems ironic that you say this to a person who built and races a low 12 second 4cyl mustang. Talk about thinking outside the norm... I run less than half the displacement of any v8 mustang produced, run a factory ford camshaft (smaller than even a NPI cam), and make peak power at a lower rpm than a PI 4.6.
As you can see, I'm all for trying something new and different... but there is no need to waste time and money proving what has already been rigorously tested by others. In the case of the rear shock brace, it has already been proven to be dead weight. His reaction to the handling of the car is entirely perceived. Further, the idea that you can determine handling ability on the street is absolutely inane.
The idea that one cannot tell the difference in set-ups on the street is inane. I don't think you really mean that.
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The idea that one cannot tell the difference in set-ups on the street is inane. I don't think you really mean that.
And let's say right out in the open that your drag racing experience, while valuable, is of absolutely no use to this discussion.
I say that because of experience in auto X. I have several 1st place finishes for my division back when the 88 was more setup for handling. Without being completely insane, there is no way to truly test suspension parts on the street. It is impossible to see the levels of grip and limit of the tires on the street like you could experience on the track... and if you are SHAME ON YOU FOR DOING IT ON THE STREET.
Ever been to an auto X event? There are slaloms and quick changes in direction... sure you can do a steady state corner on the street on a highway onramp, but that is nothing like what you do on the track. At the track, if you don't spin a few times, you aren't pushing it hard enough. Come even close to spinning on the street, and you risk the life of yourself and everyone around you.
Back when I was doing the auto-X stuff in the 88, I put stiffer springs and heavier sway bars in the 88, and on the street there was definately a big feel of the pants gain. There was less body roll and increased grip... but on the track it could turn into a whole different animal. The back end became MUCH less predictable and would bite you in the ass if you pushed it just a little too hard. It was great fun, but that particular combination wasn't any faster because it wasn't well balanced... and you don't learn that until you really PUSH IT HARD! So my point is, you can't and shouldn't push the limits of the car on the street, to really see the true effect of suspension changes.
From back in the day:
/Auto-X.jpg
Brian, you have a big head! Sweet pic!
Seems ironic that you say this to a person who built and races a low 12 second 4cyl mustang. Talk about thinking outside the norm... I run less than half the displacement of any v8 mustang produced, run a factory ford camshaft (smaller than even a NPI cam), and make peak power at a lower rpm than a PI 4.6.
As you can see, I'm all for trying something new and different... but there is no need to waste time and money proving what has already been rigorously tested by others. In the case of the rear shock brace, it has already been proven to be dead weight. His reaction to the handling of the car is entirely perceived. Further, the idea that you can determine handling ability on the street is absolutely inane.
Damn Brian, I was just getting settled in, ready to enjoy some more...
Nonetheless, thanks for your contributions - you rock! View attachment 222651
As for the rest off you...View attachment 222652
Now quick guys, let's go over to EBay where I saw some headlight polish that was guaranteed to help push me over the 150 MPH barrier...oh, wait, I better not comment on such a product...fact is, I haven't actually tried it and it might just work...
Autocross isn't "the track."
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