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09-23-2015, 12:05 PM #1
Front shock tower stabilizer bar? '99 30th Ann. A good one?
I am not likely to be doing anything but aggressive back-road and mountain twisty driving in my t-top '99 WS6 T/Am, with only occasional track lap days --- but NOT competitive racing on track. Can you experts suggest a good GM Performance or other aftermarket strut brace to help with the cowl-shake on rough roads, bumps ? Thx ! :-)
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09-23-2015, 12:41 PM #2
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Navy Blue Metallic- 98 T/A w/ mods, 00 FBVert
When I had mine it was from UMI Performance. Good piece, only reason I sold it was because I upgraded to a FAST102 intake.
Highly recommend staying away from the 3 point braces because they require you to go into the cowl.Last edited by SMWS6TA; 09-23-2015 at 03:49 PM.
http://www.ls1.com/forums/f7/my-6-liter-build-174257/
http://www.ls1.com/forums/f8/my-8-8-rear-build-165553/
6.0L Block - Forged 403ci , Polluter Stg3 Cam, FAST 102mm Intake, NW102 TB, MSD wires, NGK TR6 plugs, Truck Coil Packs, LS3 Fuel Injectors, CC Pacesetter LT Headers, TS&P ORY, QTP e-Cutout, Magnaflow Muffler, 104mm Air Lid & Line Lock, Catch Can, Stage 2 T56 w/Viper shaft, PRO 5.0 Shifter, Tick MC, SPEC Stg3+ Clutch, QT SFI BH, MWC DSL, Full UMI Performance Suspension, Belstein Shocks, Hotchkis Springs (1" Drop), YR1 Snowflake Wheels wrapped in NT555 tires & Custom Fab Ford 8.8 rear w/Wavetrac Diff 3.73 Yukon Gears, WSQ Hood, 3"CM Strange Eng Drive Shaft.
00 FB Vert - Stock
78 FB - Just getting started......
Horsepower never lies, but is often lied about!
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09-23-2015, 05:55 PM #3
I always recommend UMI when it comes to aftermarket suspension pieces. They fit well, look great and work as they should -- plus it's all made right here in PA.
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09-24-2015, 12:34 AM #4
So, I know what the strut tower brace is "supposed" to do, but... does anyone hear actually feel that it makes a difference to their car's performance?
My thinking is that, even if the car doesn't "handle" better because of it, the handling will not deteriorate as fast since it resists the torsion of the chassis over time (?) essentially prolonging the rigidity of the chassis (?)
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09-24-2015, 12:47 AM #5
I would put the money where it would make the most difference.....sub frame connectors. Strut braces are a waste of money really but if you just want one get a 2 point brace and they're all about the same. I had an SLP brace at one point and other than not knowing it was on there my only complaint is getting the bottom bolts off when removing it were a pain. Not sure on the UMI brace if those bottom bolts are such a hassle.
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09-24-2015, 03:18 AM #6
The strut tower brace is for cars with struts. Placebo effect.
I would get sway bars since they combat roll.Last edited by 35th-ANV-SS; 09-24-2015 at 03:31 AM.
Boost gets you laid, unless your name is Jon.
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09-24-2015, 06:03 AM #7
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09-24-2015, 08:51 AM #8
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Silver- '02 Trans Am WS-6, 6M
I put a 3 point tower brace on my '89 T/A, and I immediately felt the front end increase rigidity by a bunch. Of course after I replaced thte motor mounts and the engine was higher, it became a 4 point because the bar up was against the plenum on my TPI. Edelbrock mislabeled the packaging and sent me a carb/tb brace by accident.
I dont know how much rigidity will improve with a brace on a 4th gen, because of the shock setup, but additional bracing never hurts, and they only weigh about 5-6 pounds.
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09-24-2015, 10:20 AM #9
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Silver- 1999 Trans-Am, 2012 Sonic
UMI
99 Trans Am, SLP Lid, Blackwing filter, smooth bellow, Ported TB, LS6 intake, Ws6 lower ram air box, OBX LT's, Magna Flow cat back, LS7 clutch, Tick MC, Hurst Shifter, Frost Tune, UMI SFC,LAC, STB, PB, Torq Arm, Super Hawk hood, Torq Thrust II, Kee Audio.
Strange S60 4:10's, D&S Rotors, S/S Brake Lines.
Nitto NT05R Track Tire's, 12.7 @ 108 / 1.82 60'
Wish list.
Coil overs, Heads & Cam
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09-24-2015, 12:17 PM #10
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Navy Blue Metallic- 98 T/A w/ mods, 00 FBVert
I felt it helped but then again I had a Base model TA (non-WS6) so any suspension upgrades will always help. But for straight line track useless, autoX and daily some.
On stock shocks it does help IMHO, but with Koni's or Bilstein shocks maybe not so much.
Also SFC's are a must with this car that they should have come with in the first place.
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09-27-2015, 05:25 AM #11
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09-28-2015, 10:22 AM #12
- Join Date
- May 2012
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- Dayton, Ohio
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- 38
Black & pewter- 2002 Formula & 1999 TA
Founders performance had good inexpensive suspension parts. I have their panhard bar on my TA.
Last edited by KahanaReef; 09-28-2015 at 03:32 PM.
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09-28-2015, 01:21 PM #13
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10-01-2015, 05:48 PM #14
Thanks all ! So a sub-frame connector is a great idea, but which brand (GM Perf., UMI ?)? And SLP for the 2-bolt shock tower brace? Is that a good summary?
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10-01-2015, 06:57 PM #15
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10-02-2015, 06:29 AM #16
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Navy Blue Metallic- 98 T/A w/ mods, 00 FBVert
A lot of us here love UMI Performance.
Regarding SFC's - 3 points are better than 2 point. Bolt on can be welded latter on.
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10-02-2015, 12:24 PM #17
I always recommend UMI - have everything except their sway bars under our car and love it (front sway bar is removed and rear is the stock setup).
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10-02-2015, 05:50 PM #18
I intend to have a heavily loaded UMI suspension in the future myself. From what I hear, excellent quality products made in the state I originate in. Can't go wrong.
2000 Trans Am WS.6 M6
SLP lid & bellow w/ K&N, GMMG catback w/ Corsa Clones, UMI SFC, UMI Adj. Panhard, UMI Adj. TQ arm w/ relocation kit, QTP Longtube headers ORY, LS6 intake, EGR/A.I.R delete.
Eibach prokit, Bilstein HDs, Nitto NT555s, skip shift elim, whiteface overlays, 20% tint, matte black decal/overlays
YouTube.com/DarrenWS6
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10-05-2015, 06:33 AM #19
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Navy Blue Metallic- 98 T/A w/ mods, 00 FBVert
I too have everything from UMI with exception the drive shaft safety loop. I tried theirs but it like many other was too low. Having a lowered car that made it worse.
I now have a DSL form Mid West Chassis. It's design exceptionally well, tucks up in the tunnel and clears all exhaust (dual and 3" single pipe).
My remaining suspension pieces are the k member, both a arms and front/rear sway bars. If all goes well I should be able to pick those up by this time next year.
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10-05-2015, 06:33 PM #20
If it's going to be one at a time, I'd recommend the sway bars first. I don't have a K-member (it's on my "money is no object" list), but the sway bars make a nice difference. FWIW, I have the Stranos.
Lid, Throttle Body, LS6 Intake, Heads, Cam, Magnaflow, LS7 Clutch, SFCs, STB, Panhard Bar, Strano Springs, Hollow Sway Bars, Poly/Roto LCAs, Konis, MGW Shifter
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