Strut Tower Brace

Paul Perreca

New Member

Mar 30, 2005

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Apr 4, 2005

#1

• Apr 4, 2005

• #1

I'm pretty sure that this has been answered, but I have some questions that havent been -
What kind of effects will I get if I put on a strut tower brace on my 1988 GT - I am not putting it on for performance, like cornering or anything, I am going to put it on for looks, I am going to buy a black one, and paint it calypso like my car, and put it on over the polished cobra intake, and chrome CAI and possibly Chrome radiator hoses - what do you think?? Would this ruin the way my car rides?? Thanks, not much of a knowledgable suspensionist over here help lol
Paul Perreca

 

OL' WHITEY

New Member

Jan 28, 2004

273

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Weddington, NC

Apr 4, 2005

#2

• Apr 4, 2005

• #2

I could not tell much difference in ride quality after I installed mine. Handling was improved a little, but not much. You'll be fine. It's a pain to have to take them off every time you need to do engine work.

 

89roadster

Founding Member

Apr 19, 1999

1,124

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Kent Island, MD

Apr 4, 2005

#3

• Apr 4, 2005

• #3

From a convertibles perspective:

When I installed the strut tower brace, I installed the subframes and the G-load brace all at the same time - made a HUGE difference.

When I installed the Thumpers and TMoss intake, I left the strut tower brace off for several weeks and didn't think there was a difference until I reinstalled it, there is a noticable difference in the control while cornering and the amount of noise the convertible makes around the windsheild frame - a very noticable difference. I couldn't tell you what kind of difference there would be in a hard top though...I would have to think it would help stability.

 

donsbad68

Immensely Educated

Jan 4, 2003

838

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0

Oklahoma

Apr 4, 2005

#4

• Apr 4, 2005

• #4

only worth the money on verts and not worth the money for looks in my opinion

 

5

5.04Life

New Member

Nov 25, 2003

26

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1

Olympia, WA

Apr 4, 2005

#5

• Apr 4, 2005

• #5

I too have also heard about it making the interior quieter, i.e. less rattling in some cases, mainly in the dash area on either coupes or verts in some cases. I don't know if I would ever get one for my mainly stock setup with the restoration and clean-up work I have just started on in the engine bay, but many people like the additional structural support for the front end in performance or even just for looks. Just my opinion.

Chad

 

MahFiVeOh

Founding Member

Apr 26, 2002

531

9

49

Ontario, Canada

Apr 4, 2005

#6

• Apr 4, 2005

• #6

I'm getting sub-frame connectors installed in the next week or so and i was going to buy a strut tower brace also.So a strut tower support isnt worth the troubles then? Car is a daily driver

 

Wil

New Member

Jan 2, 2003

581

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Burke, VA

Apr 4, 2005

#7

• Apr 4, 2005

• #7

I'd like to know too. I was also considering getting the strut tower brace but was worried if you wouldn't be worth the money or effort

 

Henceforward

The Avatar Master

Founding Member

Jul 17, 2001

485

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Apr 4, 2005

#8

• Apr 4, 2005

• #8

Maximum Motors Strut Tower Brace (clears any intake), and MM Full Length Subframes will make your car very fun to drive. You can take on the gas station "ramps", and even drive into your buddies steep driveway without fear that the damn care will snap in half. Get some new shocks/struts and you are all set.

It is a must on convertibles even if it does add more weight.

 

Paul Perreca

New Member

Mar 30, 2005

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Apr 4, 2005

#9

• Apr 4, 2005

• #9

effort? what is the effort, you bolt it on and maybe drill a few holes, its mainly a money issue- it can't be that hard of an installation, no wires, no connections, a few bolts and its done - Or is there something I am missing - because I sure dont mind spending time in the shop painting and installing one of these, i dont mind becuause it is for my car and i love my car more than anything -(when it runs right and doesnt blow water pumps lol)
Thanks
Paul Perreca

 

1991GreeNLX

New Member

Jul 2, 2004

129

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0

Houston TX

Apr 4, 2005

#10

• Apr 4, 2005

• #10

i have a strut&tower brace ill sell it to you cheap

 

Paul Perreca

New Member

Mar 30, 2005

1,085

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0

Apr 4, 2005

#11

• Apr 4, 2005

• #11

color chrome? Black? Shape good? bad? decent? bolts come with it? clear the cobra upper and lower intake?? who makes it, and how much - may just buy that from you
thanks
PauL Perreca

 

1991GreeNLX

New Member

Jul 2, 2004

129

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Houston TX

Apr 4, 2005

#12

• Apr 4, 2005

• #12

PM me if anyone is intrested yes its black

 

1991GreeNLX

New Member

Jul 2, 2004

129

0

0

Houston TX

Apr 4, 2005

#13

• Apr 4, 2005

• #13

its a FRPP black finish pretty easy to install im getting rid of it because it does not fir over the GT 40 intake but will clear cobra if anyone is intrested im letting it go for $30.00 and whatever is for the shipping just P.M. me

 

Blakthorn

Member

Jul 24, 2004

299

1

16

US

Apr 4, 2005

#14

• Apr 4, 2005

• #14

i have the mm for my vert, not yet installed, will let you know how it is in a week..

 

Paul Perreca

New Member

Mar 30, 2005

1,085

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0

Apr 5, 2005

#15

• Apr 5, 2005

• #15

yea let me know, i dunno if the mustang convertables rattle like a bitch or not, but my camaro convertable did - it was horrible lol - maybe this thing will help the converts for that a little
Paul Perreca

 

Henceforward

The Avatar Master

Founding Member

Jul 17, 2001

485

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0

Apr 5, 2005

#16

• Apr 5, 2005

• #16

The difference is night and day. The MM STB shut my car up for good. No more cracks driving over speed bumps, and no more horrible sounding front body flex. The MM SBCs help even more.

 

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PonyBoy90

Founding Member

Aug 30, 2002

555

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Toronto

Apr 6, 2005

#17

• Apr 6, 2005

• #17

A strut tower brace should be installed to compliment an already present set of subframes.

A strut tower brace on a car without subframes won't provide much added difference and could in the long run cause the bolt mounting holes in the sheet metal to elongate.

For a daily driver, subframes are all one really needs. Strut tower braces help on tight turning at high speeds, so if you're not planning on entering any races whereby you are running ovals, a strut tower brace is not really necessary although it does (no matter how small) help in keeping the chassis rigid.

Make sure you get a strut tower brace that is 3-point, and ask about clearance issues if you plan on upgrading your instake manifold.

I have a chrome MAC strut tower brace on my 1990 foxbody which allows for clearance if I wanted to install a Cobra intake.

I hear Steeda's 3 point is also designed for aftermarket intakes.

Black powder coat is good as it's not as prone to rusting as a chrome brace, that is if your car tends to be parked outside a lot and in wet weather. Also, black powder coated STB allows you to paint it any colour to match your car, whereas, a chrome STB is nice and shiny and adds to the engine bay look.

 

E

executioner

New Member

May 4, 2004

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mass.

Apr 6, 2005

#18

• Apr 6, 2005

• #18

the difference on my 90 vert is amazing. on my old 88 lx hatch little difference for a daily driver.

 

ALMOST STOCK

Founding Member

Sep 23, 2000

1,250

41

88

CA.

Apr 6, 2005

#19

• Apr 6, 2005

• #19

Lets cut through the BS and say exactly why you might need a STB!
And I'll qoute MM .

Flexing of the strut towers, both fore/aft and side to side, causes unpredictable alignment and handling changes, lack of roll coupling, vibration and metal fatigue. The MM Strut Tower Brace keeps the strut towers from moving relative to each other, by providing a load path between the strut towers and between each strut tower and the firewall. This will prevent alignment from changing under braking and cornering, making the car more stable and predictable. In addition, the increase in rigidity from the strut tower brace will also reduce firewall and dashboard vibration, metal fatigue and noise.

Click to expand...

 

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forrealb50

New Member

May 5, 2003

163

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VA

Apr 6, 2005

#20

• Apr 6, 2005

• #20

I put one on my car a week ago. I didn't really notice any difference. I bought it for 50 bucks. I wouldn't buy a new one but for 50 bucks I couldnt pass it up.