Strut Tower Bar

RJC_MustangGT06 · Apr 26, 2006

Anyone get a decent strut tower bar yet? I am thinking of using Strange Developments, but I want to know if someone else has used them first.

2006 Mustang GT
Vista Blue
White Racing Stripes
Hypnotic Illusions Tune

MrMojo1953 · Apr 26, 2006

RJC_MustangGT06 said:
Anyone get a decent strut tower bar yet? I am thinking of using Strange Developments, but I want to know if someone else has used them first.

2006 Mustang GT
Vista Blue
White Racing Stripes
Hypnotic Illusions Tune

Just installed my Steeda Brace last night.
This is not the billet brace.
Looks great... and very easy install.

Spdfreak · Apr 26, 2006

Any handling improvements?

MrMojo1953 · Apr 27, 2006

Spdfreak said:
Any handling improvements?

Well, to be honest, I can't say that it feels all that different.
But I've got to assume that tying strut towers together has to be a good thing.
This morning I'm having my Eibach Pro Kit, and Steeda Camber Adjusters installed at Apex Motorsports out here in the San Francisco Bay Area.
I'm paying attention to the suspension on this '06 more than I did on my '02 GT.

official_style · Apr 28, 2006

im running 18x10s front and rear. im not doing any suspension mods, but i drive in manhattan over potholes alll day. should i slap one on?

RJC_MustangGT06 · Apr 28, 2006

I ended up getting Strange Development's strut tower bar. Quick install as well. The bar has got a constant cross section which I know has great benefits towards rigidity. If you plan on throwing your car around corners, its important to have a bar. Transfering loads across the frame really help a lot in the long time life of your car. I personally didnt like steeda's because I have used theirs before on a SVT Focus and wasnt impressed. I think you pay more for a name than some good ol fashion engineering. I picked a smaller company because they can't hide behind a big label. I found the same has worked well in car audio too.

V8JamesGT · Apr 28, 2006

Whats Strange Development's url? Please link me!

05canuck · Apr 28, 2006

I just installed the Edelbrock Strut Tower Brace, have to say it went in better then I thought took about an hour. It's a three-point design the brace from the 2 struts and then back to the firewall with a bracket from the firewall to the cowl. I couldn't push it hard going to work keep getting mom and pa going to town and the corners were a slow zone..lol coming home I had a chance a few times to let her go and really it felt tighter but that could have been me just thinking of all the bolts and how tight they are..lol I will post some pictures tomorrow of the brace and the bracket.

05canuck · Apr 29, 2006

Here's a picture of it installed..

NorthwestGT · Apr 29, 2006

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.

05canuck · Apr 30, 2006

It's about 1/2" I don't think you could run a cover too..

RJC_MustangGT06 · May 1, 2006

Eh I dont know if I like those agressive bends in those pipes. I can see them being stress raisors and cracking if you keep putting heavy cornering into them. Whenever you create a new NVH load path for forces to travel you want MINIMAL stress raisers. I'll post some pics of the one that I bought. The link was http://www.strangedevelopment.com/ they are a sponser to this site I believe.

05canuck · May 1, 2006

Looks cool and very simple but I wanted a 3 point design that went to the cowl was waiting on Ford racing but this came out first.

bigcat · May 1, 2006

the cowl is not considered a structural point, thats why many STBs dont go to the firewall.

05canuck · May 2, 2006

It goes to the firewall is bolted then has a bracket that goes to the cowl and is bolted. This pic shows the braket and how it is installed. Structural point I don't know about but I work for Ford and will ask one of the tech teachers today.

shooterm1 · May 2, 2006

05canuck said:
It's about 1/2" I don't think you could run a cover too..

FWIW / mine cuts into the hood padding/insulation

RJC_MustangGT06 · May 5, 2006

Here are my pics... ample hood clearance, and this bar is strong as hell. 3 min install.

05canuck · May 6, 2006

Awesome timing RJC as I had to show the guy at work this thread to show what my brace looked like as I have mine all together and you can't see it. As far as the cowl not being a structural point in the 05 it is. both for front crash and roll over. If the brace was not there is would be more show then go but as the brace ties everything together he said it would offer more overall chassis stiffness. he did comment on the way both bars only connect with a half rings and not a full and that the way mine is bolted and not a solid bar going across is not the best way to go. The bends to a straight bar make very little diffence as long as the bends and welds are good. I did ask him about pullies as well but thats for a diifferent thread..lol. btw hes been teaching Ford mechs for 14 yrs he sounds like he knows what hes talking about hope this helps..

nice bar RJC I like that is clean and chromed

351CJ · May 6, 2006

05canuck said:
and that the way mine is bolted and not a solid bar going across is not the best way to go.

I agree the bolts allow movement between the bar and the mounting plate, effectively making the bar have no effect against the forces that would cause the front structure to flex.

A solid bar (no bolts) would be better. Look at the under hood photos of the GT-500. It has a strut brace that looks similar to the Strange Delelopmment's bar.

official_style · May 6, 2006

got steeda

Strut Tower Bar

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start with the upper hole, and if more traction is

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