Is these any effect on the alignment when installing a front strut cross brace (between towers).
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Is these any effect on the alignment when installing a front strut cross brace (between towers).
No, if it does at all it is so negligible that there will be no noticeable affect on alignment. I feel like it stiffens up the front end a tad but many will say it is more of an appearance mod.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnfin
Do you have to take all of the upper strut mount nuts off to install a brace?
Just the two nuts on each side, slide the brace on and tighten down the nuts.
Yep.....Will's right.
I'll add that the brand of the TSB matters too. Fitment and clearance for the hood and intake, mostly for the intake. If you have a LS1/6 intake you'll be fine, however if you have a BBK or FAST 102 you might have fitment issues.
For straight line racing a TSB is useless. However for daily street or auto cross driving it helps in the handling. I've noticed that I was able to handle turns at higher rate of speed and not lose traction. However I also have more suspension upgrades that were installed at the same time. (see signature)
My recommendation is it can't hurt to have.
I have a FAST 102 and the UMI brand one fits just fine. I have heard the slp one can be close. WS6 hoods and like hoods tend to not be an issue for STBs but the non ram air hoods can be from what I have heard.
IIRC BMR has an issue with the BBK and FAST too.
I wouldn't install it if the right or left side of the car is raised significantly higher than the other. It may not even be possible to install it if the car is torque that much. Your driveway will more than suffice.
If you got a good price on it (I paid less that $60 IIRC, sale with free shipping @UMI), they're worth it. But like Scott said, I installed mine with other suspension components on the same day (Subframe connectors) and definitely felt a difference in left to right handling. I did notice from launch (straight line driving), the front end pulls up more level, but the SFC help out alot on that subject.
I installed a QA1 STB, it's a 3 point contact. Definitely notice a difference! A pain in the ass to install but well worth it.
STB is one of the only mods we don't have. It would just be additional weight on our car.
Install is easy but it makes it a bitch to get to your plugs etc ... Have to pull it for a lot of mods it seems ... Great place to lean...
FYI our cars have shocks not struts.
I'd do sway bars and good shocks/ springs first....
I also wouldn't do a 3 point as I have heard of them causing windshield cracking issues.
The rears are shocks, the front are struts....Quote:
Originally Posted by stevenm357
A shock absorber resists the bouncing using hydraulics. That’s all it does. Struts are more complex. They combine shock absorption with steering elements and support for the vehicle. Shocks are more common on trucks and SUVs, while you usually find struts on cars. But sometimes you find both—one in the front and the other in the back. Struts are more expensive, because they are more complex.
Stbs don't make it any harder to do anything, except maybe removing the heads and things like that. But, even if it did it isn't that hard to take off, it takes like a minute or two to take off.Quote:
Originally Posted by stevenm357
I'll disagree. Our cars have 4 shocks like stated above.Quote:
Originally Posted by az gt eaterThe rears are shocks, the front are struts....Quote:
Originally Posted by stevenm357
A shock absorber resists the bouncing using hydraulics. That’s all it does. Struts are more complex. They combine shock absorption with steering elements and support for the vehicle. Shocks are more common on trucks and SUVs, while you usually find struts on cars. But sometimes you find both—one in the front and the other in the back. Struts are more expensive, because they are more complex.
Can't see a 3 point STB cracking a windshield, other then on install ( like I did). It is attached to the firewall and has nothing to do with putting any kind of stress on a windshield.Quote:
Originally Posted by stevenm357
STB's are good for engine hoists. Curtis can provide a picture. Nothing more lol. If you think yours made a drastic impact...it's the Placebo effect. This has been proven time and time again over the last 13 years. It's more for show than go. It's one of the few suspension pieces not on my car.
Just shows how little you know about how your suspension works.Quote:
Originally Posted by az gt eater
Gets in my San changing that back plug.... And upgrading injectors intake manifold... Granted its not difficult to remove....Quote:
Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6
I feel with good shocks and springs you wont see any real difference in your car.
As I won't argue this with you Jon. I've had a 2 point STB and now a 3 point. Maybe it's just me "wanting" to feel a difference.....but, like I said, I won't argue this point as I am not as verse on the issue as you are. I'm just going on my experience with my own rides. Thanks for that bit of info though. I truly thought I felt a difference. :brick:Quote:
Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS
Now I am confused, what does STB stand for? I thought it was Strut Tower Brace. And, when I changed my front struts, why did I have to use a Mac Phereson Strut Tool? From what I understand, when the coils and shocks are seperately located, the shock component is called a shock. But, when they are a single, complete unit, that unit was called a strut.