GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
#51
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
Another possibility
Many times when there are braces with no readily apparent function, they are there for NVH reasons. It doesn't take much to chase a few annoying structural vibrations off to frequencies and/or locations where they are less noticeable, once you know where to attach the bracing to. There may even be some advantage in making the bracing somewhat asymmetrical - at least then the two sides of the car aren't both chasing their nuisance vibrations off to the same new frequency and location(s). Two small vibrations are usually less bothersome than one big one.
Norm
Many times when there are braces with no readily apparent function, they are there for NVH reasons. It doesn't take much to chase a few annoying structural vibrations off to frequencies and/or locations where they are less noticeable, once you know where to attach the bracing to. There may even be some advantage in making the bracing somewhat asymmetrical - at least then the two sides of the car aren't both chasing their nuisance vibrations off to the same new frequency and location(s). Two small vibrations are usually less bothersome than one big one.
Norm
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
the discussion was that it was mislabled or misinterpreted at its conception.. one person or engineer calling it a wanderbar and being spelled wonderbar..
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
Odd. Was the Baro sensor mounted adjacent to the VAC sensor there? I've had two 87 LG4s and they all had the Baro on the right. One was a Z28 and had the brace there (I put it onto my SC that is shown in the pic).
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
Must be a year thing. All of the later TBI cars mounted the MAP to the brace hole on the cowl. Carb and earlier engines mounted it on the relay bracket near the booster
Add to the list the fender braces on 91-92 birds. Goes from the base of the battery box on both sides to the top hole on the nose stud strip. You can see the pass brace in this pic
Add to the list the fender braces on 91-92 birds. Goes from the base of the battery box on both sides to the top hole on the nose stud strip. You can see the pass brace in this pic
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Car: 1987 SC/1985 TA
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
You've got BOTH the VAC and MAP on the left? And you converted your LG4 to the serp drive? Looks good.
Don't get someone confused: Carb=Vacuum sensor / TBI=Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor. That's why the carb'd cars needed the additional Barometric Pressure sensor.
Don't get someone confused: Carb=Vacuum sensor / TBI=Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor. That's why the carb'd cars needed the additional Barometric Pressure sensor.
#63
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
I did convert to the serpentine set up after I got tired of all the damn belts. Although I did keep my old set up and put it away.
Everything is stock under my hood with the exception of the air cleaner lid, slp headers, serpentine set up, and the addition of the "wonder/wander" bar and the cowl to fender brace.
Still debating on intalling the final brace which goes from the right strut tower to the frame. I really would like to know the effectiveness of it.
Everything is stock under my hood with the exception of the air cleaner lid, slp headers, serpentine set up, and the addition of the "wonder/wander" bar and the cowl to fender brace.
Still debating on intalling the final brace which goes from the right strut tower to the frame. I really would like to know the effectiveness of it.
#64
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
Every time I find one of these braces that I don't have, I have fabricated one and installed it on 83 BB Camaro. I don't know why, I guess they must be there for a reason. The next one will be the bar on the passenger side mid strut tower to frame. Gosh I did it again, sorry for digging this up.
Last edited by Edwardgp; 10-12-2012 at 07:25 PM. Reason: Digging up old thread SORRY
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
Every time I find one of these braces that I don't have, I have fabricated one and installed it on 83 BB Camaro. I don't know why, I guess they must be there for a reason. The next one will be the bar on the passenger side mid strut tower to frame. Gosh I did it again, sorry for digging this up.
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
I'm thinking that pass side firewall brace is there because they recognized a weakness there because of the large hole in the firewall for the ac duct and the gap for the channel drain.
Many third gens seem to have a problem with leakage there, maybe the seam gets distorted by hard cornering. I might add that brace to my 85.
Many third gens seem to have a problem with leakage there, maybe the seam gets distorted by hard cornering. I might add that brace to my 85.
#67
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
Yep I made and installed that brace. All the holes are already there.
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
I wonder if the braces were dependant on the engine/trans setup. I would guess a 5.0l with a manual would stress the unibody differently than say a 2.8 with auto.
#70
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
That might be, if anyone one has the k member braces they don't want, let me know. I can always make them if need be.
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Car: 1991 Z28
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
I remember reading back in the day it was called a "wonderbar" because of how effective it was for such a small effort. Basically a less intrusive strut tower brace. Which I believe is a better improvement. But on another note the wonderbar puts the weight lower in the chassis.
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
Like I've always said, every 3rd gen should have a wonderbar. TDS makes the best ones.
#73
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
It seems that all of these little braces are for the steering box or strut towers. I would think that adding a wonder bar and triangulated strut tower brace would allow you to remove the brace connecting the tower to cowl, upper cor support to battery tray/wheel arch and strut tower to frame. Any thoughts on that?
#78
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
And as a separate question, if you welded up the heater core ,blower motor and heater hose openings the firewall would be stronger, would you still need the cowl to hood bracket piece?
#79
Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
Best of luck in attempting to find answers.
JamesC
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Car: '91 1LE
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Re: GM Braces That Amuse and Confuse
Just to add some confusion: My '91 1LE came with all the braces pictured but did NOT come with a "wonderbar" from the factory. The one other '91 1LE I have seen did not have one either.
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