S197 strut tower brace install

[bigcat]

i installed a Strange Development STB and wanted you guys to see this if you havent already. install was a breeze and we wanted to give you some great pics

http://www.stangnet.com/Tech-Articles/S197-Strut-Tower-Brace-Install-060920.html

i only had one hiccup, due to the TSB for 2005s front strut popping (TSB 05-9-11). an alignment was not performed after the TSB, and the struts were a little misaligned. a quick adjustment, and everything was good!

 

[Henceforward]

Why doesn't the STB connect to the firewall?

 

[LuS1fer]

Looks good. I may swop out my Steeda billet STB which is floppy and a load of rubbish to be honest. Plus my Tokico D-Spec shocks mean the strut top covers on the Steeda don't fit. Waste of money.

 

[steedastang06]

i take it this product will not clear an intake cover?

 

[Henceforward]

i take it this product will not clear an intake cover?

Might... The Steeda Piece kinda fits...

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2177534/2

 

[LV51FER]

Oy that's my car! Yes, the Steeda clears the cover but is rose-jointed at either end allowing it to "flop" onto the cover. The foam wrap stops it doing this. A fixed bar wouldn't have this problem.

 

[bigcat]

i take it this product will not clear an intake cover?

it has been redesigned to clear the 07 engine covers. look at strange developments site for more information.

 

[bigcat]

Why doesn't the STB connect to the firewall?

the firewall is not considered a structural reference point on S197s. the systems that do go to the firewall make you drill holes to connect and are just plain heavier. not worth it to me, and i dont like the look of any of the STBs that do go to the firewall.

 

[NorthwestGT]

I have the Strange STB also, and it is a nice piece. Price is right too. My car is a convertible, so I think a little extra bracing is a good idea.

Thanks bigcat, the pics on that link were right on the money. The only thing I can add is that the brace can be painted. I painted mine gloss black. Also, the fit over the strut tower studs is pretty tight. Not a real problem, but it's a close fit.

About fitting over a plenum cover, I have about a quarter inch clearance over my Midwest Autogear cover. No problem. And, yes having a brace that connects to the firewall like on the old SN-95 cars will not do you much good.

 

[YELLOW42RCODE]

Great write
So how much for this STB ?

Fred

 

[bigcat]

I have the Strange STB also, and it is a nice piece. Price is right too. My car is a convertible, so I think a little extra bracing is a good idea.

Thanks bigcat, the pics on that link were right on the money. The only thing I can add is that the brace can be painted. I painted mine gloss black. Also, the fit over the strut tower studs is pretty tight. Not a real problem, but it's a close fit.

About fitting over a plenum cover, I have about a quarter inch clearance over my Midwest Autogear cover. No problem. And, yes having a brace that connects to the firewall like on the old SN-95 cars will not do you much good.

about the painting.....i got the polished STB, so i wont be painting. for anyone that wants to paint their STB, i suggest getting the satin finish STB. much easier to paint, and a little cheaper as well.

 

[bigcat]

Great write
So how much for this STB ?

Fred

http://www.strangedevelopment.com/store.htm

 

[cowtown]

And it's a better idea to powdercoat the bar rather than paint it, the paint won't last.

FWIW the "old" strange bars clear the cover but by less than an 1/8". What I did to make mine clear (I had the bar before the cover) was take the grommets off of the side mount points on the cover and let the cover sit right on top of the nuts on the rear. Then I took the side/rear grommets and put them over the studs and pushed them right down making sure they were snug and the cover wasn't moving.

This provides a lot of clearance, certainly more than it needs or most other bars provide. This tip will of course help with a lot of other STB as well.

And yeah top marks to the Strange Development bar it's a nice piece.

 

[NorthwestGT]

The guys at Strange were really helpful. I did get the cheaper satin finish. They told me how to prepare the surface and what kind of aluminum primer to use. Very detailed instructions. It worked.

 

[Henceforward]

Oy that's my car!

So you are British I was wondering if you were...

 

[GOLDENPONY]

STB

Hey Northwest GT,
Did you get the "extra clearance " STB? I have the same plenum cover.

 

[NorthwestGT]

GoldenPony, I didn't specify a model. Didn't know there was an extra clearance STB. When I talked to them before I ordered I did ask if it would clear the Midwest Autogear cover, and they said it would. I just took another look at the thing now. It clears all the way across the cover. At its closest it's maybe 1/8" over the ribbed part and nearly a 1/4" over the flat part.

 

[cowtown]

See my post above for clearance tips.

 

[bigcat]

another benefit of this STB over some of the others is weight. this bar is ultra light!!!

 

[YardSpecial]

Thanks Bigcat, you da man !!

Dumb question, does it really clear my engine cover ???

You TOOSLOW !!

https://www.strangedevelopment.com/StoreCC/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=5


THANKS Bro !