Strut Tower Brace - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Ir0nM4n · 02-02-2015, 09:22 AM

Here is a link to a past discussion,

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=328903

Ir0nM4n · 02-02-2015, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaBoom1701

Find a curvy road and drive hard and fast into the corner until you feel the tires start to lose grip. The strut brace helps stiffen the front end up and allows tighter cornering.....unless the GM engineers got the 1LE & ZL1 wrong....

Does owning a V8 now give you the need to be an ...

Do you not know that the brace was first put in the convertibles???

Geebus, time for a snickers bar.

dmginc · 02-02-2015, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy W.

There was a post a while back where someone bolted down one side of the brace and then put a go-pro on the other side and documented a fair amount of movement on the unbolted side.

CamaroCracka · 02-02-2015, 09:35 AM

Ok, I don't drive like that on the street.

I did not take KaBoom's comments as being obnoxious, but I drive pretty hard and for me to push the limits of the suspension, I would have to scare the pee out of a lot people maybe even me.

Burt · 02-02-2015, 09:49 AM

It won't be a significant difference, these cars are too rigid for that. What's effectively happening is when you enter a corner and the outside front strut loads up, it applies a force to the strut tower, which the strut tower has to counter. Theoretically, the strut tower could flex up and in, allowing incremental movement of the suspension independent of the strut compression as well as applying more load to the sway bar. The strut brace gives a solid connection between the towers, so that the cornering force now has to deflect the strut tower as well as the brace itself and the other tower, which would minimize the flex and allow the strut and sway bar to do their jobs as intended.

Will anyone notice a night-and-day difference by running one of these? No. Will a novice or atuocrosser get more of a benefit than a pro on a road course? Maybe. The reason I can see this being more useful/noticeable for backroads/autocross/amateurs is the way the suspension is loaded. One a roadcourse, with a good driver with smooth inputs, the loading on the strut will be more gradual, making the momentary deflection less noticeable. One an autocross with a much shorter turn-in distance or a novice driver with jerky inputs, the loading will be much more rapid, and closer to an impact loading, allowing for more defection, and increasing the benefit of a strut brace. The more miles and number of flexing incidents experienced by the chassis will eventually increase flex, so higher mileage cars also experience additional benefit, again in theory.

I think the brace looks cool, (because racecar) and can add an incremental increase of consistency to the front suspension geometry, so I'll keep the one I bought. (on clearance) Just don't expect an obvious change like you'll get from changing sway bar diameter, spring/damping stiffness, or most mods, realistically.

DRKS1D3 · 02-02-2015, 09:59 AM

Unless you are pushing your V6 to the max on a road course and are somewhat of a driving/racing aficionado, you will not notice much of a difference.

Zig Zag · 02-02-2015, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burt

It won't be a significant difference, these cars are too rigid for that. What's effectively happening is when you enter a corner and the outside front strut loads up, it applies a force to the strut tower, which the strut tower has to counter. Theoretically, the strut tower could flex up and in, allowing incremental movement of the suspension independent of the strut compression as well as applying more load to the sway bar. The strut brace gives a solid connection between the towers, so that the cornering force now has to deflect the strut tower as well as the brace itself and the other tower, which would minimize the flex and allow the strut and sway bar to do their jobs as intended.

Will anyone notice a night-and-day difference by running one of these? No. Will a novice or atuocrosser get more of a benefit than a pro on a road course? Maybe. The reason I can see this being more useful/noticeable for backroads/autocross/amateurs is the way the suspension is loaded. One a roadcourse, with a good driver with smooth inputs, the loading on the strut will be more gradual, making the momentary deflection less noticeable. One an autocross with a much shorter turn-in distance or a novice driver with jerky inputs, the loading will be much more rapid, and closer to an impact loading, allowing for more defection, and increasing the benefit of a strut brace. The more miles and number of flexing incidents experienced by the chassis will eventually increase flex, so higher mileage cars also experience additional benefit, again in theory.

I think the brace looks cool, (because racecar) and can add an incremental increase of consistency to the front suspension geometry, so I'll keep the one I bought. (on clearance) Just don't expect an obvious change like you'll get from changing sway bar diameter, spring/damping stiffness, or most mods, realistically.

Burt wins the internet.

Burt · 02-02-2015, 12:00 PM

Thanks! Just trying to help with what I know / can theorize.

GMTool · 02-02-2015, 12:20 PM

Installed my OEM brace a long time ago and immediately took the car for a ride. Drove down a familiar rough bumpy road. Definitely felt a more stable feeling in the front end. Do I need one? No. Did I notice a difference? Yes. For the cost and the ease of install compared to what other things cost on these cars. Got to have one. They look good, they do make difference, other Camaro's come with em from the factory. Like I said, they are cheap and about the easiest thing to install, (if the mounting holes are already there).

The Flash · 02-02-2015, 03:49 PM

I wish I could install the OEM tower brace in my CAMARO. It is not a direct fit for 2010's.

I have tower brace in my '95 FIREBIRD and it made the car handle inmensely better. Well, actually I installed a lot of chassis/frame stuff (if anyone care to see MY GARAGE entry on the FIREBIRD you'll see what I mean) so it is not that this item alone brought the change but it contributed.

I swear by the benefits of a tower brace and would have to drive my CAMARO after installing one to convince me otherwise.

Having said that, like any other mod, there is a trial and error spect about it.
Some are a great improvement, some have no perceived effect, some are detrimental and make you regret the time and money spent in getting them.

At the end of the day, it all depends on your driving intent (track, autocross, leisure, etc.) and your own driving style.

Safe and great driving to all,

The Flash

christianchevell · 02-02-2015, 05:16 PM

I installed a BMR tower brace and did notice a difference in rigidity especially when cornering hard. It also makes a handy place to put some LED lights underneath it for lighting.

Splat · 02-02-2015, 05:21 PM

If GM installed them on the ZL1, 1LE and the Z/28.... then there must be a reason.

KaBoom1701 · 02-02-2015, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ir0nM4n

Does owning a V8 now give you the need to be an ...

Do you not know that the brace was first put in the convertibles???

Geebus, time for a snickers bar.

I installed this on my V6 long before I had my Zl1.....

So I know they work...

02-02-2015, 09:22 AM	#15
Ir0nM4n Love me some Tacos Drives: 14 1LE Join Date: May 2011 Location: Washington Posts: 2,728 View My Garage	Here is a link to a past discussion, http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=328903 __________________

02-02-2015, 09:35 AM	#18
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,736	Ok, I don't drive like that on the street. I did not take KaBoom's comments as being obnoxious, but I drive pretty hard and for me to push the limits of the suspension, I would have to scare the pee out of a lot people maybe even me. __________________ 2010 SS - On3 kit with downpipe cutout, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.

02-02-2015, 09:49 AM	#19
Burt Cone Killer Drives: 2012 SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: St. Albans, West Virginia Posts: 832	It won't be a significant difference, these cars are too rigid for that. What's effectively happening is when you enter a corner and the outside front strut loads up, it applies a force to the strut tower, which the strut tower has to counter. Theoretically, the strut tower could flex up and in, allowing incremental movement of the suspension independent of the strut compression as well as applying more load to the sway bar. The strut brace gives a solid connection between the towers, so that the cornering force now has to deflect the strut tower as well as the brace itself and the other tower, which would minimize the flex and allow the strut and sway bar to do their jobs as intended. Will anyone notice a night-and-day difference by running one of these? No. Will a novice or atuocrosser get more of a benefit than a pro on a road course? Maybe. The reason I can see this being more useful/noticeable for backroads/autocross/amateurs is the way the suspension is loaded. One a roadcourse, with a good driver with smooth inputs, the loading on the strut will be more gradual, making the momentary deflection less noticeable. One an autocross with a much shorter turn-in distance or a novice driver with jerky inputs, the loading will be much more rapid, and closer to an impact loading, allowing for more defection, and increasing the benefit of a strut brace. The more miles and number of flexing incidents experienced by the chassis will eventually increase flex, so higher mileage cars also experience additional benefit, again in theory. I think the brace looks cool, (because racecar) and can add an incremental increase of consistency to the front suspension geometry, so I'll keep the one I bought. (on clearance) Just don't expect an obvious change like you'll get from changing sway bar diameter, spring/damping stiffness, or most mods, realistically. __________________ 2012 Camaro SS - Sold Selling off my remaining wheels, tires, 27mm front sway bar, and MGW shift knob. Get them out of my house before my wife puts me out! Last edited by Burt; 02-02-2015 at 10:10 AM. Reason: Sometimes I English like an idiot.

02-02-2015, 09:59 AM	#20
DRKS1D3 Drives: '17 Corvette Grand Sport M7 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3,748	Unless you are pushing your V6 to the max on a road course and are somewhat of a driving/racing aficionado, you will not notice much of a difference. __________________ MY RIDE: 2017 CORVETTE GRAND SPORT--TRIPLE BLACK, 7 SPEED MANUAL, VARARAM TCR-7 INTAKE, BORLA CATLESS X-PIPE, CARBON FIBER STAGE 2 AERO, MGW SHORT-THROW SHIFTER SOLD2011 TRIPLE BLACK SS CONVERTIBLE--6 SPEED MANUAL, MANY MODS, 455 RWHP/435 RWTQ DAD'S RIDE: 2012 ZL1 #1866--BLACK, 6 SPEED MANUAL, EXPOSED CF HOOD, POLISHED WHEELS, SUNROOF, ROTO-FAB INTAKE "Silly Americans, taking from the rich and giving to the poor only works in fairy tales. Success is earned here!".

02-02-2015, 12:00 PM	#22
Burt Cone Killer Drives: 2012 SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: St. Albans, West Virginia Posts: 832	Thanks! Just trying to help with what I know / can theorize. __________________ 2012 Camaro SS - Sold Selling off my remaining wheels, tires, 27mm front sway bar, and MGW shift knob. Get them out of my house before my wife puts me out!

02-02-2015, 12:20 PM	#23
GMTool MY SS is SOLD Drives: AGM 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southwest Illinois Posts: 1,838	Installed my OEM brace a long time ago and immediately took the car for a ride. Drove down a familiar rough bumpy road. Definitely felt a more stable feeling in the front end. Do I need one? No. Did I notice a difference? Yes. For the cost and the ease of install compared to what other things cost on these cars. Got to have one. They look good, they do make difference, other Camaro's come with em from the factory. Like I said, they are cheap and about the easiest thing to install, (if the mounting holes are already there). __________________ CAI, Dynatech Headers, HF Cats, JRE Tuned, Corsa Cat Back, Strut Tower Brace.

02-02-2015, 03:49 PM	#24
The Flash Drives: Firebird 95, Equinox 05, Camaro 2SS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Panama Posts: 287 View My Garage	Wish I could put one in mine I wish I could install the OEM tower brace in my CAMARO. It is not a direct fit for 2010's. I have tower brace in my '95 FIREBIRD and it made the car handle inmensely better. Well, actually I installed a lot of chassis/frame stuff (if anyone care to see MY GARAGE entry on the FIREBIRD you'll see what I mean) so it is not that this item alone brought the change but it contributed. I swear by the benefits of a tower brace and would have to drive my CAMARO after installing one to convince me otherwise. Having said that, like any other mod, there is a trial and error spect about it. Some are a great improvement, some have no perceived effect, some are detrimental and make you regret the time and money spent in getting them. At the end of the day, it all depends on your driving intent (track, autocross, leisure, etc.) and your own driving style. Safe and great driving to all, The Flash __________________

02-02-2015, 05:16 PM	#25
christianchevell old school chevy rodder Drives: 2013 2SS/RS Manual,DM exhaust,CRT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,587 View My Garage	I installed a BMR tower brace and did notice a difference in rigidity especially when cornering hard. It also makes a handy place to put some LED lights underneath it for lighting. __________________ 2021 Wild Cherry ZL1 A10, Sunroof, Data, Carbon, Nav, RotoFab Dry CAI, Elite x2, Borla ATK, Driveshaft shop

02-02-2015, 05:21 PM	#26
Splat Drives: 2012 1SS M6 IOM Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New Rochelle New York Posts: 1,428 View My Garage	If GM installed them on the ZL1, 1LE and the Z/28.... then there must be a reason. __________________ 2012 1SS Camaro LS3 Inferno Orange Mods: LSA Supercharger, 2.55 Pulley, Custom Boost Cam, ARH LTH 1 7/8, HFC, 3' Magnaflow Exhaust, JLT CAI, Elite CC V2, BO White Stage 2 TB, GM 3.91 Gears, DSS CF Driveshaft, BMR Bushing Kit.... . Tuned by JTM Motorsports 540 Hp 550Tq on 9PSI Axles, Monster Clutch, Hotchkis TVS Track Pack kit.......For 2018.