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I am looking for a good used brace for my 2002 Z28. Hotchkis makes one that goes directly between the towers, (is it a good one? it has two bars with a 3 hole brace in the middle) then what seems to be a newer version that angles back towards the firewall and can get in the way of dipsticks...I am having a problem figuring out how to load pictures here or I would attach one....
I have the UMI brace, well built fittment was perfect, don't get in the way of anything. And If I remember correct new was less than $80. Check them out they also are a site sponser and offer a lot of f-body parts
At the top of this page I see an online store, that was not the way to find UMI. I am not familiar as how to find supporting vendors here. Can you give a link to the best price for the UMI brace? The best I could find on line was over $100. so far. Thanks.
UMI has a 15% sale going right now.
Shock Tower Braces : UMI Performance, Inc.
Thanks Jon, I thought they were around $80
UMI is the way to go. The price is very fair for a quality piece like the one they sell. :true:
Thanks for the input guys. I am thinking of getting a 3 point brace as it will do a better job from what I have read. I am looking to get an Edlebrock one. Merry Christmas to you all.
If you are thinking of a 3 point vs 2 point argument... It is probably dealing with sub-frame connectors. Most shock tower braces are 2 point as any 3 point ones would require a mount point under the cowl and probably not offer any further benefits. I have a Chromoly UMI tower brace if you would like to contact me about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Forgiven
Edelbrock makes a 3-pt shock/strut tower brace. A few other manufactures do too. The third mounting point is in the middle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Decadence75If you are thinking of a 3 point vs 2 point argument... It is probably dealing with sub-frame connectors. Most shock tower braces are 2 point as any 3 point ones would require a mount point under the cowl and probably not offer any further benefits. I have a Chromoly UMI tower brace if you would like to contact me about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Forgiven
A lot of people have mixed reviews on how well these really help, if at all. Some say they don't. Some say they do. It's one of the few mods I never added to mine so I can't speak from personal experience.
Yes. As I pointed out in my post that any 3 point ones would require under cowl attachment and probably not offer any additional benefit over a 2 point.Quote:
Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS
You also said he was probably speaking about sub-frame connectors so I wasn't sure...
True. I probably should have specified more clearly. I apologize for the confusion. I am sorry.Quote:
Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS
Chris
No worries.
OP - I'd agree with Chris and just get a 2-pt if a strut tower brace. Not too many people have a 3-pt that I've ever heard and I've been on the forums a long time. Let us know if you have any other questions.
Not only that, but I have read about some issues with the 3pts causing problems with the windshield.Quote:
Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS
I sent you an email yesterday, did you get it? I have been reading online everything from 3 point is the way to go for least deflection to it is not worth doing at all. I sort of like to think it is better to be safe than sorry if you intend to do some hard cornering....The point that a 3 point may disrupt the windshield is well taken, will have to see if I can find any instances of that happening. Thanks guys.Quote:
Originally Posted by Decadence75
If you want to add something for better cornering, shocks/springs/sway bars are a much better choice over a strut tower brace.
All of this....Quote:
Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS
Strut tower braces really serve no purpose anyway.
Actually I am happy with how the car corners except that I am going to put in urethane sway bar mounts. My main concern is that I do not wear out the car with any hard cornering....if that is not an issue then I would not even bother doing it. I may be running tires with extra grip and driving hard at times. My concerns were raised by page 23 of the link below. Even though the car in question is older than mine I figured the same principles applied so I was thinking of getting a strut brace....further input is welcome.
No link....and what are you afraid of that will "wear out"?Quote:
Originally Posted by Forgiven
Assuming the car in question is a true strut car, there are benefits (though minimal) in a strut brace. Note however, 4th GEN FBODIES DO NOT HAVE STRUTS.....just sayin. You want to stiffen the chassis....weld in SFCs. You want to handle better....fat sway bars AND good shocks/springs (Koni, Bilstein, Strano, BMR, etc)
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Sorry about forgetting that link. Here it is. Do a search on strut tower braces and Camaros come up also, so that is why I called it a strut brace. Fair enough if they mis-state what the cars actually have, and I do not mind being corrected.
How to Tune and Modify Your Camaro, 1982-1998 - Jason Scott - Google Books