Aftermarket Product ReviewProvide questions and answers about aftermarket parts for the Third Generation F-Body.
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Good find, I think I might have to pick one of those up.
Just a FYI, they also have some other STB's for sale for our cars. They were made by Engineered Performance, from the original Kenny Brown jigs, apparently. Here's the Ebay link.
And here's a little thing about Engineered Perf. involvement with Kenny Brown, it's from a Mustang forum, but it's the information that's important. Not that there's much info, but anyway...
Oh and on a sidenote, for those of you who do "buy it now" on eBay, don't forget about "Live Cashback" or "Bing Cashback" as it is now called, I guess... Might only be 8% right now, but hey that's 8% better than nothing.
-1989 Camaro with a 305 TPI, soon to be 6.0L LSx. -1985 Camaro with a 350 TPI, probably gonna stay that way. At least until I'm done with the other one...
Last edited by BlueIroc-Z; 06-25-2009 at 08:10 AM.
I have been looking for a Kenny Brown 3-point brace for a long time. I can't believe that I missed out on this.
Has anyone actually used, or even seen, one of the "Engineered Performance" pieces? Just because it was made from the same jig doesn't mean it is a quality piece.
I need a brace that will fit a Formula hood & TPI. I don't like the BMR piece because of the tacky advertisement they build into every brace when they cut out "BMR" right on the top. The HP Motorsports brace looked like my answer. But when I tried to order it, they said they were actually "out of business".
I would definitely pick up one of the Engineered Performance braces that BlueIroc-Z linked to above if I knew they were equal to the original Kenny Brown piece.
The HP Motorsports brace looked like my answer. But when I tried to order it, they said they were actually "out of business".
I would definitely pick up one of the Engineered Performance braces that BlueIroc-Z linked to above if I knew they were equal to the original Kenny Brown piece.
Yeah, I think it was the HP Motorsports brace that I had looked at one time too. When I inquired about it back then, they said that it was discontinued for our cars.
Anyway, yeah, I don't know what to tell you about the Engineered Performance braces... Your definitely right though, just 'cause something is made on the same jigs doesn't make it quality. Just means it's the same shape, . I will say this though, the guy behind the IndyHP name selling that stuff, seems like a really great guy. I had a few e-mails back and forth with him regarding some of the other questions I had. At any rate, he's definitely approachable. Couldn't hurt to see what he has to say.
But, yeah, for me it was either Kenny Brown for STB and SFC's or buy a welder and try to teach myself how to make something custom... I'm definitely glad I was able to find an STB, now I wonder what I'll do about SFC's...
If you're interested, I found some more background on Engineered Performance. Here's the link.
EDIT: I just wanted to give a shout out to the OP, Rumblin70SS. Thanks for the tip man, if you hadn't posted up about your find, I would have undoubtedly missed out on this opportunity.
-1989 Camaro with a 305 TPI, soon to be 6.0L LSx. -1985 Camaro with a 350 TPI, probably gonna stay that way. At least until I'm done with the other one...
Last edited by BlueIroc-Z; 07-05-2009 at 11:01 AM.
Well I just bought one of the EP strut bars. $85, minus $7 for the Live ebay cashback, minus $14 in "ebay bucks" I accumulated, for $64 I cant go wrong. I'll take pics and stuff once I get it on.
Well I just bought one of the EP strut bars. $85, minus $7 for the Live ebay cashback, minus $14 in "ebay bucks" I accumulated, for $64 I cant go wrong. I'll take pics and stuff once I get it on.
Yeah, the price these are going for is truly a great deal. Even more so if the build quality of the EP piece is comparable to original KB.
*I wish I had "eBay Bucks"... Apparently the program is in beta, and invitation only at this point. I was not invited... *
Dang, I've been looking into getting an STB, even considered making one. I wish I knew if these were any good, definitely worth they price if they are!
No matter...they're all gone now anyway. It JUST ended after I re-loaded the page a minute ago.
__________________ Bethany, 1988 Pontiac GTA
Click for info on FIREBIRD FEST OF THE CAROLINAS!
1983 Black and Gold Trans Am LG4--GONE, but never forgotten...
OK, I broke down and bought one of the Engineered Performance braces.
Now, for someone that doesn't have any experience with metal fabrication, what do I look for when I receive the brace? How do I know if the welds are satisfactory? How do I tell if the steel is the "correct type" of steel and is strong enough?
Finally (I should have asked this before I ordered it), does anyone know for sure that the "Kenny Brown" STB does indeed fit the stock Formula hood?
OK, I broke down and bought one of the Engineered Performance braces.
Now, for someone that doesn't have any experience with metal fabrication, what do I look for when I receive the brace? How do I know if the welds are satisfactory? How do I tell if the steel is the "correct type" of steel and is strong enough?
Finally (I should have asked this before I ordered it), does anyone know for sure that the "Kenny Brown" STB does indeed fit the stock Formula hood?
Good luck fadetoblack, I am very close to doing the same. I might wait until you receive yours before I do so though. I can't answer any of your questions, but I'm sure someone can. But can you let me know when you receive this and what kind of quality it is?
I've had the Kenny Brown for over 9 years. Awesome brace. I like it because it's a 1 piece 3 pt with no hinges like most other braces.
__________________ www.TheFOAT.com/92GTA 1992 Trans Am GTA SLP: GMPP optioned "SLP Performance Parts Package" GTA, 210K Miles, Dark Jade Gray Metallic, LB9, 4L60, T-Tops, and Gray Leather. Documentation includes Window Sticker, Factory Invoice, Etc. Added a few tasteful mods. Owned for 10 years since 69K miles. 2nd place trophies. - Currently undergoing restoration to brand new condition with as many NOS parts as I could find!!! -
I got my brace in the mail the other day......I'll see if I don't have time to 'test fit' it tomorrow and report back the results. For all intents and purposes it looks like a nice piece.
__________________ Thanks!
Tony Z
1970 SS396 Chevelle with a 580 BBC
1974 Corvette Convertible
1992 Camaro B4C (SOLD)
1993 Firehawk
1998 Kawasaki ZX-9R
1997 Mazda Millenia
Just bought one of the engineered performance ones, we'll see what its like! If you are looking at these definitely make an offer rather than just buy it now. I made a quite a bit lower offer and he accepted it. Just tryin to save you guys and gals some $$!
Just bought one of the engineered performance ones, we'll see what its like! If you are looking at these definitely make an offer rather than just buy it now. I made a quite a bit lower offer and he accepted it. Just tryin to save you guys and gals some $$!
Got the brace, partially unpacked it and just put it on the car. I know that sounds stupid, but I'd rather get the whole part on the car and then take off the packaging, minimizing scratches. I don't know how the original KB pieces fit, but this one looks like it will do the job. The fit is tight though everywhere where you turn I can tell you that. It has good mig welds and is crinkle painted like the original. Came with decent instructions and was nicely packaged too.
That being said, I'm not sure I like it....... Not that its bad, but it isn't symetrical and I really don't want to drill holes in my strut towers. I'm a perfectionist but I'm not sure what I am going to do yet. After all this, I might still end up with a UMI STB.
Attached are some pics.......
__________________ Thanks!
Tony Z
1970 SS396 Chevelle with a 580 BBC
1974 Corvette Convertible
1992 Camaro B4C (SOLD)
1993 Firehawk
1998 Kawasaki ZX-9R
1997 Mazda Millenia
1988 S10 Truck....10.31 @129 Best R/T .002
Do I really own all this junk?
Last edited by Rumblin70SS; 07-07-2009 at 07:39 PM.
Looks pretty good! Can't wait for mine to come. How exactly does it attach at the firewall? Never dealt with one before so I wasn't sure. Does it bolt to the firewall itself, or to the punch weld?
Looks pretty good! Can't wait for mine to come. How exactly does it attach at the firewall? Never dealt with one before so I wasn't sure. Does it bolt to the firewall itself, or to the punch weld?
It actually bolts to the vertical part of the firewall itself with one bolt. According to the instructions, you pull the wipers and the cowl grilles out and drill the hole from the windshield side. With one bolt, will it do alot of stiffening? Not sure.....
__________________ Thanks!
Tony Z
1970 SS396 Chevelle with a 580 BBC
1974 Corvette Convertible
1992 Camaro B4C (SOLD)
1993 Firehawk
1998 Kawasaki ZX-9R
1997 Mazda Millenia
It actually bolts to the vertical part of the firewall itself with one bolt. According to the instructions, you pull the wipers and the cowl grilles out and drill the hole from the windshield side. With one bolt, will it do alot of stiffening? Not sure.....
1 bolt eh? Thats doesn't seem like much, seems like it would need at least 2. And drill from the windshield side? I can't look at it right now, but that seems very difficult/backwards...seems like it would be easier from the engine side.
So the one firewall bolt goes on the flange in between where the two bars are welded to the flange? Should work well enough, I think the 3rd point of the brace is mainly for longitudinal chassis flex, not so much front end twist. I don't really know, that's just my impression. To really do anything with front end twist, you would want to have something with 2 bolts, yes, but you'd want the two bolts as far apart as possible, probably wider than the mounting flange that these have. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that 1 bolt should be close enough to 2 bolts as far as stiffening goes, when you consider how close together the 2 bolts would be anyway.
Well, now that I scroll up and look at it again, it looks like if it was a 2 bolt it would get about 4-5" of spread, which might be enough. In that case, I shift my argument to the inherent difficulty of trying to prevent twist at the point of a triangle, as far as the stength of materials needed. Although, it would have some effect... Hmm, maybe I'll look into a sub-flange that makes it into a two bolt setup...
As for drilling the strut towers, I don't want to do that either... But, I really like the idea of 3-point brace, which the UMI is not. I know everyone says 3 pt. is overkill, but it has to be better than 2 pt., right? And, at this price its hard to pass up (well that and I already bought it...)? But, the UMI does definitely have some stuff going for it: adjustability (for preload possibly?), and it mounts to the existing bolts.
Now what I was thinking of doing, is making a mounting plate like the umi's have and using it with the KB brace... Now, if only I knew how to weld, and had a welder for that matter...
-1989 Camaro with a 305 TPI, soon to be 6.0L LSx. -1985 Camaro with a 350 TPI, probably gonna stay that way. At least until I'm done with the other one...
Just curious, home come you guys don't want to drill into the strut towers? Just because you don't wanna drill into your car (completely understand here) or is there another reason?
Just curious, home come you guys don't want to drill into the strut towers? Just because you don't wanna drill into your car (completely understand here) or is there another reason?
Just would rather not.....my car somehow made it 21 years and 121k with original paint and no major flaws.....just trying to keep it as original as possible and stiffen things up a bit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TORN
Does it come with all the mounting bolts?
Comes with mount hardware and instructions.
__________________ Thanks!
Tony Z
1970 SS396 Chevelle with a 580 BBC
1974 Corvette Convertible
1992 Camaro B4C (SOLD)
1993 Firehawk
1998 Kawasaki ZX-9R
1997 Mazda Millenia
Just would rather not.....my car somehow made it 21 years and 121k with original paint and no major flaws.....just trying to keep it as original as possible and stiffen things up a bit.
Comes with mount hardware and instructions.
I kind of figured it was something along those lines. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't gonna mess anything up if I decided to drill my strut towers.
70 Chevelle SS eh? Thats my dream car man... I want a 70 Chevelle SS 454. Red with black stripes and black interior.
I'm with you on that one! Damn those cars are nice...
Quote:
Originally Posted by FireChicken2.8
Just curious, home come you guys don't want to drill into the strut towers? Just because you don't wanna drill into your car (completely understand here) or is there another reason?
My car is no where near as nice as Rumblin70SS's, but I don't want any extra holes in my car either. Also, I personally just think it would look better to use existing mounting hardware, rather than adding new attachment points, even though I would have to add a mounting flange. Sounds kinda dumb I guess, adding a big mounting plate would seem more obtrusive than a few holes and bolts, but it's the direction I'm leaning...
Alright alright, I can see where you both are coming from. I think I will end up just suckin it up and drilling them though. I am with you on not wanting extra holes...but eh...I dunno. We'll see when it gets here.
Alright alright, I can see where you both are coming from. I think I will end up just suckin it up and drilling them though. I am with you on not wanting extra holes...but eh...I dunno. We'll see when it gets here.
For sure, I mean, it's definitely just a cosmetic choice. One thing that might improve the look, if you do drill the towers, is black hardware (bolts, nuts, and washers). I don't know if they're readily available at any given hardware store, but I did find some @ McLendon's out here in WA. Unless you have chrome accents in the engine bay already, in which case the regular hardware should look right at home. Anyway, just something to consider.
For sure, I mean, it's definitely just a cosmetic choice. One thing that might improve the look, if you do drill the towers, is black hardware (bolts, nuts, and washers). I don't know if they're readily available at any given hardware store, but I did find some @ McLendon's out here in WA. Unless you have chrome accents in the engine bay already, in which case the regular hardware should look right at home. Anyway, just something to consider.
Hey, thanks, thats a good idea. Not a big fan of chrome, so none of that is under my hood. Our local hardware store has the biggest selection of bolts, nuts, washers etc... that I have ever seen, so I could probably find something there! Thanks!
I'm with you on that one! Damn those cars are nice...
My car is no where near as nice as Rumblin70SS's, but I don't want any extra holes in my car either. Also, I personally just think it would look better to use existing mounting hardware, rather than adding new attachment points, even though I would have to add a mounting flange. Sounds kinda dumb I guess, adding a big mounting plate would seem more obtrusive than a few holes and bolts, but it's the direction I'm leaning...
Thanks for the compliments, but my car is only so so......fun for my daily though! I love driving it!
__________________ Thanks!
Tony Z
1970 SS396 Chevelle with a 580 BBC
1974 Corvette Convertible
1992 Camaro B4C (SOLD)
1993 Firehawk
1998 Kawasaki ZX-9R
1997 Mazda Millenia
Thanks for the compliments, but my car is only so so......fun for my daily though! I love driving it!
Mine still has a ways to go even to be just so-so. I'm just so much more drawn to mechanical work that I haven't done anything really appearance wise... Not that there has been any shortage of mechanical things to do. But, fun to drive it is. I took it out for a little spin the other day (tabs are expired), and man, given what I drive on a daily basis (1991 Dodge Dynasty), it was a blast to say the least, even with bad brakes and the wrong chip.
And, that Chevelle... Wow... That's a beautiful car right there.
Words can't explain how jealous I am, those are the wheels I like and everything! Nice Chevelle man, someday, I'll have one. *sigh*
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueIroc-Z
Mine still has a ways to go even to be just so-so. I'm just so much more drawn to mechanical work that I haven't done anything really appearance wise... Not that there has been any shortage of mechanical things to do. But, fun to drive it is. I took it out for a little spin the other day (tabs are expired), and man, given what I drive on a daily basis (1991 Dodge Dynasty), it was a blast to say the least, even with bad brakes and the wrong chip.
And, that Chevelle... Wow... That's a beautiful car right there.
Thanks again guys! It's been a long time coming! I've owned that thing 21 years!
__________________ Thanks!
Tony Z
1970 SS396 Chevelle with a 580 BBC
1974 Corvette Convertible
1992 Camaro B4C (SOLD)
1993 Firehawk
1998 Kawasaki ZX-9R
1997 Mazda Millenia
Just received my STB today! Haven't unwrapped it, but it looks pretty good so far, can't wait to get it on the car! I'll post pics and my thoughts of it when I do so.
Just received my STB today! Haven't unwrapped it, but it looks pretty good so far, can't wait to get it on the car! I'll post pics and my thoughts of it when I do so.
I just ordered the UMI piece from Summit.....they have a 15% off sale on UMI products until the end of the day. Price was $144.00 so we'll see which one I like better!
__________________ Thanks!
Tony Z
1970 SS396 Chevelle with a 580 BBC
1974 Corvette Convertible
1992 Camaro B4C (SOLD)
1993 Firehawk
1998 Kawasaki ZX-9R
1997 Mazda Millenia
. I will say this though, the guy behind the IndyHP name selling that stuff, seems like a really great guy. I had a few e-mails back and forth with him regarding some of the other questions I had. At any rate, he's definitely approachable. Couldn't hurt to see what he has to say.
* 
And drill from the windshield side? I can't look at it right now, but that seems very difficult/backwards...seems like it would be easier from the engine side. 
