05canuck, how much clearance is there between the top of the plenum and the bottom of the brace? It looks like it is pretty close.
About strut tower braces, and other such things like subframe connectors, I had a lot of that stuff on my '96. My experience is that you will not feel a difference with the install of any one item. But, when you have everything in there, there will come a day when you are driving down a twisty 2-lane and you will find that you have a big smile on your face. The complete package that tightens up the car will really only be something you feel when everything is in there (good springs, shocks, control arms, urethane bushings, stiffer anti-sway bars, etc.).
Although, that having been said, the suspension of my '05 is pretty darn good. In stock condition, it is quite close to what the '96 was with about $2000 worth of aftermarket parts.