Best Strut Tower brace option?
Thread Starter
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Overdrive Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,042
From: IL
Best Strut Tower brace option?
Hi all, I wanted your opinions/experiences with what's the best strut tower brace for an '01 SS, and why:
* Hotchkis
* SLP
* BMR
* some other brands?
I was considering adding some custom fuel rails, but they supposedly don't fit w/SLP strut tower braces.
See:
http://www.afterthoughtsauto.com/fuel-rail-covers.html
Thanks all.
* Hotchkis
* SLP
* BMR
* some other brands?
I was considering adding some custom fuel rails, but they supposedly don't fit w/SLP strut tower braces.
See:
http://www.afterthoughtsauto.com/fuel-rail-covers.html
Thanks all.
April 2009 ROTM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 441
ROTM Winner's Club
RE: Best Strut Tower brace option?
The best strut tower brace is really any 3 point one. That connects the 2 struts and to the firewall of the vehicle. Then from that point is up to you. As far as regular 2 point set ups, Hotchkis by far I think has the best looking struts. Especially the polished one!! But STB's usually are mainly for show. The only real benefit is when you are cornering hard. Also it does help eliminate some dash rattling which is cool. And whether it's mild steel or Chromoly really won't make a difference either. I put a brand new one on my old LT1, got off of ebay for $62 shipped! Looked good and my dash was quiet. So even the cheaper ones will do the trick.
Thread Starter
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Overdrive Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,042
From: IL
RE: Best Strut Tower brace option?
Thanks for your input... So which vendors have 3 point braces for the Camaro SS? What makes the third point that much better? It looks like the brace on the 2009 Camaro is a 3-point, yea? See:
http://www.ksrc.info/camaro%209-1.jpg
The Hotchkis seems to have a hinge where it connects to the towers -- if that's the case, does that make theirs perform different than the others?
Thanks.
http://www.ksrc.info/camaro%209-1.jpg
The Hotchkis seems to have a hinge where it connects to the towers -- if that's the case, does that make theirs perform different than the others?
Thanks.
ORIGINAL: Zoilus
The best strut tower brace is really any 3 point one. That connects the 2 struts and to the firewall of the vehicle. Then from that point is up to you. As far as regular 2 point set ups, Hotchkis by far I think has the best looking struts. Especially the polished one!! But STB's usually are mainly for show. The only real benefit is when you are cornering hard. Also it does help eliminate some dash rattling which is cool. And whether it's mild steel or Chromoly really won't make a difference either. I put a brand new one on my old LT1, got off of ebay for $62 shipped! Looked good and my dash was quiet. So even the cheaper ones will do the trick.
The best strut tower brace is really any 3 point one. That connects the 2 struts and to the firewall of the vehicle. Then from that point is up to you. As far as regular 2 point set ups, Hotchkis by far I think has the best looking struts. Especially the polished one!! But STB's usually are mainly for show. The only real benefit is when you are cornering hard. Also it does help eliminate some dash rattling which is cool. And whether it's mild steel or Chromoly really won't make a difference either. I put a brand new one on my old LT1, got off of ebay for $62 shipped! Looked good and my dash was quiet. So even the cheaper ones will do the trick.
April 2009 ROTM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 441
ROTM Winner's Club
RE: Best Strut Tower brace option?
When it comes to "performance", as mentioned before, you are not going to really feel the difference between a $200 - $250 hotchkis and a $65 generic name one off of ebay. The choice really comes down to looks and cash. The more expensive ones IF they perform better, would be by a small amount thatcan't even be felt at the point where an STB becomes effective.Now a 3 point one is more firn because it ties the 2 struts AND connects to the firewall. You may feel a bit of a difference there. But again, I really would not even be asking about performance, ask yourself what you are willing to spend and what do you want your engine bay to look like.
Here is a 3 point one for an LT1 by edlebrock
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Edelb...QQcmdZViewItem
Here is a 3 point one for an LT1 by edlebrock
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Edelb...QQcmdZViewItem
Thread Starter
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Overdrive Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,042
From: IL
RE: Best Strut Tower brace option?
Sure would be nice to get one like that in the 09 Camaro... ;-)
Any companies selling a nice one like that?
Any companies selling a nice one like that?
ORIGINAL: Zoilus
When it comes to "performance", as mentioned before, you are not going to really feel the difference between a $200 - $250 hotchkis and a $65 generic name one off of ebay. The choice really comes down to looks and cash. The more expensive ones IF they perform better, would be by a small amount that can't even be felt at the point where an STB becomes effective. Now a 3 point one is more firn because it ties the 2 struts AND connects to the firewall. You may feel a bit of a difference there. But again, I really would not even be asking about performance, ask yourself what you are willing to spend and what do you want your engine bay to look like.
Here is a 3 point one for an LT1 by edlebrock
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Edelb...QQcmdZViewItem
When it comes to "performance", as mentioned before, you are not going to really feel the difference between a $200 - $250 hotchkis and a $65 generic name one off of ebay. The choice really comes down to looks and cash. The more expensive ones IF they perform better, would be by a small amount that can't even be felt at the point where an STB becomes effective. Now a 3 point one is more firn because it ties the 2 struts AND connects to the firewall. You may feel a bit of a difference there. But again, I really would not even be asking about performance, ask yourself what you are willing to spend and what do you want your engine bay to look like.
Here is a 3 point one for an LT1 by edlebrock
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Edelb...QQcmdZViewItem
Thread Starter
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Overdrive Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,042
From: IL
RE: Best Strut Tower brace option?
Sorry to open the old thread again, but I'm considering a purchase, but heard from BMR that they didn't make their 3-point brace for 98-02 due to windshield cracking -- anyone heard of this or experienced this with the Edelbrock 3-point?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CN905Gl
Also, it doesn't seem like the 3rd point mount is a very strong one -- what attaches it, just a couple screws? Anyone have a 3-point and can talk to the quality and rigidity of the 3rd point connection?
Update: just found this install PDF:
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_.../5000/5229.pdf
Still looking for feedback from someone who has a 3-pt.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CN905Gl
Also, it doesn't seem like the 3rd point mount is a very strong one -- what attaches it, just a couple screws? Anyone have a 3-point and can talk to the quality and rigidity of the 3rd point connection?
Update: just found this install PDF:
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_.../5000/5229.pdf
Still looking for feedback from someone who has a 3-pt.
April 2009 ROTM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 441
ROTM Winner's Club
RE: Best Strut Tower brace option?
Wow way back from the dead. Anyways, I've never heard of the windshield thing but honestly why a 3 point. I mean there are lots of 600rwhp+ cars running no STB at all or just a regular 2 point. But hey its really up to you.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,687
RE: Best Strut Tower brace option?
From my experiance a STB does not do anything notable for the car. Your better off putting sub-frame connectors, they will help to add stiffness to the car. As for fuel rails don't even bother, your not anywhere near needing them yet. You can run close to 500 rwhp on the stockers.
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