[M.A.K.]

Hi all,
Wondering if anyone else has tried to order the additional strut tower brace with their 1LE (from factory) in the past few weeks. The option had only become available a short time before i placed my order and the dealer said he was unable to get it accepted without removing the brace... I know its an easy addition afterwards just thought it seemed strange, especially given the nature of a SS 1LE...

[Master357]

There is bracing that goes from each strut tower to the firewall, it bolts to the firewall in two places. I don't know how much stiffer a brace going over the engine could possibly make it.

I would be willing to bet good money the 1LE is so tight and accurate in its suspension that you could not guess if the car had a brace over the engine or not.

[pullthatwigback]

Originally Posted by Master357

There is bracing that goes from each strut tower to the firewall, it bolts to the firewall in two places. I don't know how much stiffer a brace going over the engine could possibly make it.

I would be willing to bet good money the 1LE is so tight and accurate in its suspension that you could not guess if the car had a brace over the engine or not.

but its the same chassis so if its good enough, the base models are as well. not to say i think a strut tower is necessary or really does anything for a modern car.

[TJay74]

The strut tower brace will also tie the strut towers together and keep the from flexing. Day to day driving I doubt you would notice it, put the car on a track where it is being pushed and you will notice it.

[M.A.K.]

I know it's s relatively minor thing either way, just curious as to why the option
Would be offered on the build sheet if not yet available..?

[Master357]

Originally Posted by TJay74

The strut tower brace will also tie the strut towers together and keep the from flexing. Day to day driving I doubt you would notice it, put the car on a track where it is being pushed and you will notice it.

Seriously, the car is so tight, you could not tell. It's not flexing enough to notice. It's not a civic. And they they sell it because people will buy shit they don't need.

[seanblurr]

This is not really answering your question and is just my opinion, but most modern cars wouldn't benefit from those anymore.

[M.A.K.]

Ya at this point I will just save the money. Thanks everyone for the info!

Not that $200 is anything compared to a car.... anywho. Thx all

[1LE caSSper]

Originally Posted by Master357

Seriously, the car is so tight, you could not tell. It's not flexing enough to notice. It's not a civic. And they they sell it because people will buy shit they don't need.

Hahaha quote of the day lol

But correct not for $200 Worth it no..

For a $100 yes I'll buy BMR's they sell for track, it will likely not drop lap times at all less than .25 second realistically I'd think, there's not much more grip to be pulled from the chassis I think....
You'd only be paying for a steering wheel to vibrate 10% more

[slick3]

A car that pulls the rear tires off the ground when going up a drive way is not going to benefit from a stamped aluminum strut tower brace. If you like the way it looks go for it, it will offer you no performance gain. The chassis in this car is already way stiff.

[WhyUMad1LE]

I think you would get better steering feel with the brace, which wouldn't make a difference in lap times, but adds subjectively to a car like a nice shifter.

[pullthatwigback]

Originally Posted by slick3

A car that pulls the rear tires off the ground when going up a drive way is not going to benefit from a stamped aluminum strut tower brace. If you like the way it looks go for it, it will offer you no performance gain. The chassis in this car is already way stiff.

That's a function of a sway bar or droop travel, not chassis stiffness.

[slick3]

Originally Posted by pullthatwigback

That's a function of a sway bar or droop travel, not chassis stiffness.

I understand that. What im trying to convey is the alpha platform is much stiffer than any other previous generation and likely wont benefit from a strut tower brace. They were previously used as band aids for cars where the shock towers where further away from the firewall of the car, the shock towers are practically tied into the center of the car on the 6th gen.

I can see where the BMR piece might offer some quantifiable difference when at the limit, but the GM piece is not going to be as strong and will LIKELY offer no quantifiable difference because of the material its made out of. This is my opinion, not proof. Im just trying to make conversation here and would love for someone to prove me wrong! I do agree with you that my analogy does not apply as you are correct that the torsion of the sway bar will cause the rear tire pull.

Side note: If the 1LE would have benefited from better lap times, it would have came with it from the factory. Same for the ZL1. I would have thought GM would have done their due diligence in this regard. If it didnt translate to better times, it wasnt going on the car. I really believe it to be more of a cosmetic piece than anything given its design.

[SS 1LE]

Originally Posted by WhyUMad1LE

I think you would get better steering feel with the brace.

On this car, I would have to say I seriously doubt that.