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Strut tower brace question

  • Thread starter Thread starter farbyhardcore
  • Start date Start date Oct 13, 2004

farbyhardcore

New Member
Oct 5, 2004
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0
East Coast
Oct 13, 2004
#1
  • Oct 13, 2004
  • #1
Can anyone give me a somewhat detailed explanation of what a strut tower brace does? I know the obvious, but i was wondering if anyone happens to know a bit more in depth. And anyone have suggestions for who makes a good one? I've been talking with Steeda about there Alloy Steel Strut tower brace for '00 - '04 GT's, but any other ideas?
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Oct 13, 2004
#2
  • Oct 13, 2004
  • #2
Welcome to StangNet!
A strut tower brace ties the strut towers together - then often ties them into the firewall in a triangular fashion. The prevents the front end from twisting under heavy torque load. Steeda makes good stuff; hard to go wrong with them. To further firm up the unibody, sub frame connectors are very popular, but welding is required. IMO, subframe connectors will yield more positive results than the strut tower brace.
Maximum Motorsports also makes quality stuff.
 

farbyhardcore

New Member
Oct 5, 2004
98
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0
East Coast
Oct 13, 2004
#3
  • Oct 13, 2004
  • #3
all that stuff

thanks, but what exactly does all that mean? Like I've heard something about mustangs have a two piece frame and it's like less sturdy, maybe i heard wrong. So if you would explain the uinbody connecter things.
 

AdRock

Member
Nov 13, 2003
521
1
19
South Texas
Oct 13, 2004
#4
  • Oct 13, 2004
  • #4
farbyhardcore said:
thanks, but what exactly does all that mean? Like I've heard something about mustangs have a two piece frame and it's like less sturdy, maybe i heard wrong. So if you would explain the uinbody connecter things.
Click to expand...

A unibody frame like the Mustang has does not have a solid frame running from the front to the back like a truck does for instance. This unibody construction will allow the body to twist under heavy loads.

For example: I park in a parking garage where I work. Going up it have ti hit the incline at an angle. When I do this I can hear the body tweak a little bit. That's the sound of it twisting slightly under the load of the front right side being pushed up.

The subframe connector creates a solid connection between the front and the rear of the body. This eliminates that flex. This will also help the car to launch straighter at the track and feel much more solid on the street.


Here's a great page that explains how a strut bar works. It's a long read but it's very informative.
http://e30m3performance.com/myths/Strutbar_Theory/strut_bar_theory.htm

Here's a good article on subframe connector install. It should help expolain some also.
http://www.yellowmustangregistry.com/CP.html
 

propellerhead

New Member
Apr 13, 2004
1,541
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0
"but what's with the but shots?"
Oct 14, 2004
#5
  • Oct 14, 2004
  • #5
Try this... borrow the wheels off your little brother's wagon. Attach a wheel to each of your knees and elbows. Get down in the crawling position and have someone pull you around the block. Your arms are like the strut towers in your car. They'll bend and twist each time your elbow wheels go over bumps. Kinda hard to keep the wheels in place, huh? Now, clasp your hands together and hold them against your forehead. It provides additional stability to minimize the flex as you go over the bumps.

How's that for an analogy? Hahahaha!
 
M

mrpositraction

New Member
Aug 28, 2004
296
0
0
Columbia, MO
Oct 14, 2004
#6
  • Oct 14, 2004
  • #6
propellerhead said:
Try this... borrow the wheels off your little brother's wagon. Attach a wheel to each of your knees and elbows. Get down in the crawling position and have someone pull you around the block. Your arms are like the strut towers in your car. They'll bend and twist each time your elbow wheels go over bumps. Kinda hard to keep the wheels in place, huh? Now, clasp your hands together and hold them against your forehead. It provides additional stability to minimize the flex as you go over the bumps.

How's that for an analogy? Hahahaha!
Click to expand...



Thats funny, I don't care who you are.
 

JonJon

Founding Member
Aug 16, 2002
4,801
1
68
back in Marylands
Oct 14, 2004
#7
  • Oct 14, 2004
  • #7
propellerhead said:
Try this... borrow the wheels off your little brother's wagon. Attach a wheel to each of your knees and elbows. Get down in the crawling position and have someone pull you around the block. Your arms are like the strut towers in your car. They'll bend and twist each time your elbow wheels go over bumps. Kinda hard to keep the wheels in place, huh? Now, clasp your hands together and hold them against your forehead. It provides additional stability to minimize the flex as you go over the bumps.

How's that for an analogy? Hahahaha!
Click to expand...
STICKY
 
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