Go Back   Third Generation F-Body Message Boards > Tech Boards > Suspension / Chassis

Suspension / Chassis Questions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?

Welcome to ThirdGen.org!
Welcome to ThirdGen.org.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join the ThirdGen.org community today!


Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 10-02-2009, 05:25 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 764
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: CPT L3 700R4 / Boss Hog 2800 Stall
Axle/Gears: 3.23

Classifieds Rating: (0)
UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

There is a guy on my local craigslist that is selling a UMI strut tower brace for a thirdgen.

First off, I didn't even think UMI made a STB for thirdgen cars.

Second, how do the joints at the part where the STB bolts to the towers compare to a solid STB?

I have SLP runners, and I'm thinking this might pose a problem.

He claims that it sells for $170 brand new, and wants $150. I told him I'd do $100 cash. What do you guys think?
This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on ThirdGen!

Last edited by FireDemonSiC; 10-02-2009 at 05:43 PM.
FireDemonSiC is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Registered users do not see this ad.
Click here to register for free!
Old 10-02-2009, 05:54 PM   #2
TGO Co-Founder
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 9,611
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi

Classifieds Rating: (12)
Send a message via AIM to Stephen
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

UMI certainly does ....Check my sig.

Since you can adjust its length, the result is also a higher cross bar, to clear a plenum.

It won't care about the runners, only the upper plenum & only if the runners made it sit up higher. But with the notch on the bottom, that helps with clearance.

Does your plenum sit up higher than stock, because of the runners?
__________________
2010 Texas Third Gen Gathering info link

Custom widened & custom powdercoated, direct fit/no spacers needed - ROH Snypers 275/40s on 17" x 9"/5" bs -- 315/35 on 17" x 11"/7"bs
L98 350 TPI--TSP LS1 Cat back exhaust--Built 700R4-3.27 BW posi 9-bolt
UMI STB-- UMI Adj. PHB--UMI Adj. LCAs--Ground Control Weight Jacks w/Eibach Springs
4th gen front seats, stock split rear seats--My 3rd gen parts for sale
Stephen is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2009, 06:01 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,903
Car: 1987 Black IROC-Z (original owner)
Engine: 350 Crate with TPI
Transmission: 700R4 with 2400 SLP Stall

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by FireDemonSiC View Post
There is a guy on my local craigslist that is selling a UMI strut tower brace for a thirdgen.

First off, I didn't even think UMI made a STB for thirdgen cars.

Second, how do the joints at the part where the STB bolts to the towers compare to a solid STB?

I have SLP runners, and I'm thinking this might pose a problem.

He claims that it sells for $170 brand new, and wants $150. I told him I'd do $100 cash. What do you guys think?
You have two problems to worry about clearance over the throttle body & the hood. Most STB do not bolt onto strut caps. Check my Hothckis out and I do have SLP runners but needed shims for clearance over the throttle body.

Last edited by DJP87Z28; 12-02-2009 at 06:04 PM.
DJP87Z28 is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2009, 06:25 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 764
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: CPT L3 700R4 / Boss Hog 2800 Stall
Axle/Gears: 3.23

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DJP87Z28 View Post
You have two problems to worry about clearance over the throttle body & the hood. Most STB do not bolt onto strut caps. Check my Hothckis out and I do have SLP runners but needed shims for clearance over the throttle body.

What are the advantages of the pivot points rather than having a solid bar?

Also, where can you get shims for a STB that bolts right to the strut caps and would the STB clear the stock Camaro hood this way?
FireDemonSiC is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2009, 07:15 PM   #5
TGO Co-Founder
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 9,611
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi

Classifieds Rating: (12)
Send a message via AIM to Stephen
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by FireDemonSiC View Post
What are the advantages of the pivot points rather than having a solid bar?

Also, where can you get shims for a STB that bolts right to the strut caps and would the STB clear the stock Camaro hood this way?
The UMI one bolts directly up to 4 of the stock 6 strut cap bolts. Meaning....You don't have to drill any holes to mount it. No shims needed.

There are 2 OPTIONAL holes you can drill, but that is entirely up to you to do. I've never bothered to drill the 2 extra on my car.

The Camaro hood has never been a problem for clearance. Only the GTA hood was, for the UMI one, because of its underhood bracing.

I was the guinea pig to figure out WHY it wouldn't fit. By cutting the bracing a LITTLE, it fits just fine, under GTA hoods. Standard Firebird/Formula hoods, it fits fine. the GTA HOOD is the problem, not the car itself.

I like the pivot points, because it allows adjusting of the crossbar (like in the case of my plenum rubbing, because I set it too short/low) and under simple road differences side to side, the STB doesn't transfer anything to the other side of the chassis.

Suspension can't do its job for one corner of the car, when another corner is giving its input on what to do.
Stephen is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2009, 09:40 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 764
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: CPT L3 700R4 / Boss Hog 2800 Stall
Axle/Gears: 3.23

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

The only thing that concerns me about this STB is intake clearance issues.

It says right on their site that it will. NOT clear aftermarket runners, and I have SLP's.

Does anyone know if there is a way around this
FireDemonSiC is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2009, 09:42 PM   #7
TGO Co-Founder
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 9,611
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi

Classifieds Rating: (12)
Send a message via AIM to Stephen
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by FireDemonSiC View Post
The only thing that concerns me about this STB is intake clearance issues.

It says right on their site that it will. NOT clear aftermarket runners, and I have SLP's.

Does anyone know if there is a way around this
You'll get better information from UMI, as to specifics like that. Ssk them.
Stephen is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2009, 02:12 PM   #8
Sponsor
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 158

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by FireDemonSiC View Post
The only thing that concerns me about this STB is intake clearance issues.

It says right on their site that it will. NOT clear aftermarket runners, and I have SLP's.

Does anyone know if there is a way around this
Hello
Thanks for the interest in UMI Performance. But unfortunately our STB is manufactured to work with the TPI. Sorry for any inconvenience. If you have any other questions feel free to ask and I will be more than glad to help!
Thanks
Brad
UMI Sales is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2009, 02:33 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 764
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: CPT L3 700R4 / Boss Hog 2800 Stall
Axle/Gears: 3.23

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by UMI Sales View Post
Hello
Thanks for the interest in UMI Performance. But unfortunately our STB is manufactured to work with the TPI. Sorry for any inconvenience. If you have any other questions feel free to ask and I will be more than glad to help!
Thanks
Brad
Brad,

My intake setup is TPI, but the runners are made by SLP. It is to my understanding this would not work because these runners raise the plenum higher than stock runners.

Do you know if there is any way around this? IE shimming the STB where it bolts to the towers? I am currently very please with my UMI SFC setup.

If not, would you dare recommend a competitor STB that is compatible with SLP runners?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG00158-20090817-1557.jpg (666.7 KB, 41 views)
FireDemonSiC is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2009, 10:59 AM   #10
Sponsor
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 158

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Hello
If you can would you be able to shot me a few pics? And I will be more than glad to further assist you.
Thanks
Brad
UMI Sales is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2009, 11:07 AM   #11
TGO Co-Founder
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 9,611
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi

Classifieds Rating: (12)
Send a message via AIM to Stephen
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by FireDemonSiC View Post
Brad,

My intake setup is TPI, but the runners are made by SLP. It is to my understanding this would not work because these runners raise the plenum higher than stock runners.

Do you know if there is any way around this? IE shimming the STB where it bolts to the towers? I am currently very please with my UMI SFC setup.

If not, would you dare recommend a competitor STB that is compatible with SLP runners?
Where are you at? If you were local, we could easily pull my UMI one off & test fit it to your car. If not, maybe someone else is local to you, that would be willing to do the same thing?
Stephen is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2009, 05:27 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 1,310
Car: 87' ROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700r

Classifieds Rating: (1)
Send a message via AIM to 87350IROC
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen View Post
It won't care about the runners, only the upper plenum & only if the runners made it sit up higher. But with the notch on the bottom, that helps with clearance.

Does your plenum sit up higher than stock, because of the runners?
WRONG! The issue with aftermarket runners is some of them are WIDER before they bend down to the intake manifold. They will not work with AS&M runners without modification. Dont' know about SLP runners. See the following thread.

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/su...m-runners.html (UMI STB, AS&M runners, poly motor mounts, questions, answered!)
87350IROC is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2009, 06:44 PM   #13
TGO Co-Founder
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 9,611
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi

Classifieds Rating: (12)
Send a message via AIM to Stephen
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 87350IROC View Post
WRONG! The issue with aftermarket runners is some of them are WIDER before they bend down to the intake manifold. They will not work with AS&M runners without modification. Dont' know about SLP runners. See the following thread.

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/su...m-runners.html (UMI STB, AS&M runners, poly motor mounts, questions, answered!)
How am I wrong? The PLENUM doesn't matter. In YOUR words, it is "The issue with aftermarket runners is some of them are WIDER before they bend down to the intake manifold." That just reinforces my point that the problem is with the RUNNERS, not the upper plenum!
Stephen is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2009, 06:49 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 1,310
Car: 87' ROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700r

Classifieds Rating: (1)
Send a message via AIM to 87350IROC
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen View Post
It won't care about the runners
This is where you are wrong. The STB hits the runners not the plenum. The runners do matter.
87350IROC is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2009, 06:58 PM   #15
TGO Co-Founder
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 9,611
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi

Classifieds Rating: (12)
Send a message via AIM to Stephen
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 87350IROC View Post
This is where you are wrong. The STB hits the runners not the plenum. The runners do matter.
Call it a screw up on my part, but you know what I meant, since I contradicted myself, in the first post you "complained" about. It got me so frustrated knowing what I MEANT, I didn't reread & screwed up again. Reread the first post. It doesn't even agree with itself!

EDIT: I give up...You twisted my words so bad that I'm just plain frustrated with you & can't type straight........
Stephen is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2009, 07:06 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 1,310
Car: 87' ROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700r

Classifieds Rating: (1)
Send a message via AIM to 87350IROC
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Relax man. I'm not doing it to get you worked up. Just making sure the information in this thread is correct. I did not know what you meant. I've been down this road before with the UMI STB so I can provide useful insight. That's what we are all here for.

FireDemonSiC,

So in conclusion, you would be taking a chance with the UMI STB. If you can get it for $100 I say go for it. If it doesn't fit, you can sell it here for the same amount, or just modify it to work. Between you, Stephen, and I we'll have about all the UMI STB fitment issues documented.
87350IROC is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2009, 07:11 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,903
Car: 1987 Black IROC-Z (original owner)
Engine: 350 Crate with TPI
Transmission: 700R4 with 2400 SLP Stall

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Settle the UMI STB issue with the SLP runners by buying a different brand that will work for you. UMI is not the only one out there, they all do the same thing. I read UMI reply and it did not say anything that would say yes or no just
DJP87Z28 is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2009, 07:27 PM   #18
TGO Co-Founder
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 9,611
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi

Classifieds Rating: (12)
Send a message via AIM to Stephen
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DJP87Z28 View Post
Settle the UMI STB issue with the SLP runners by buying a different brand that will work for you. UMI is not the only one out there, they all do the same thing. I read UMI reply and it did not say anything that would say yes or no just
Every aftermarket manufacturer cannot be expected to go test their part, on every combination of possible aftermarket parts out there.

No other brand can give you a yes or no either, based on other aftermarket parts combos, unless a customer had tried it and reported it.
Stephen is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2009, 07:33 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,903
Car: 1987 Black IROC-Z (original owner)
Engine: 350 Crate with TPI
Transmission: 700R4 with 2400 SLP Stall

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: UMI Strut Tower Brace!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen View Post
Every aftermarket manufacturer cannot be expected to go test their part, on every combination of possible aftermarket parts out there.

No other brand can give you a yes or no either, based on other aftermarket parts combos, unless a customer had tried it and reported it.
Here is a STB that fit over SLP runners....Hotchkis.

Last edited by DJP87Z28; 12-02-2009 at 06:04 PM.
DJP87Z28 is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote


Reply

Go Back   Third Generation F-Body Message Boards > Tech Boards > Suspension / Chassis

Tags
1983, 1985, 84, 92, adjust, bar, brace, camaro, codes, cpt, slp, strut, tower, tpi, trans, umi
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

 






1982 Camaro '82 || 1983 Camaro '83 || 1984 Camaro '84 || 1985 Camaro '85 || 1986 Camaro '86 || 1987 Camaro '87 || 1988 Camaro '88 || 1989 Camaro '89 || 1990 Camaro '90 || 1991 Camaro '91 || 1992 Camaro '92


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:00 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.2.0
All content copyright © 1997 - 2010 ThirdGen.org. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the expressed, documented, and written consent of ThirdGen.org's Administrators.