Im interested in getting a strut tower brace for my car. I have shopped around a bit and right now im undecided on what brand I want to go with. The two that Im most interested in are the Hotchkis and BMR braces. Just wondering if anyone has pictures or theirs and how much they paid. Thanks

 

i have a picture of my brace on my car but i dont know what brand it is, maybe if i post a picture you'll know what brand it is and you'll know how it looks on the car?

 

BMR are really nice parts and you can get them from Thunder Racing(think there site is down). I can't remember the prices though.



Here is one pic of the hotchkis, and I have one of the BMR but ill have to find it later.

 

have you noticed a change in handling?? i want to get a strut bar for my iroc but i havent really checked into wether or not anyone has noticed a change

 

mine:



Ran me about $170 shipped, its nice piece.

I did notice a slight improvement in handling but was not worth the $170 for it, i would look for a 2 point and maybe something used, it has a nice bling factor but im sure any STB will do just fine.

 

Hotchkis STB on my 350 TPI. Its been on now for over 6yrs and its was worth it for the improvement it made in tightening the front end up,

 

I have a Jamex 2 point on my car, I got it on a closeout deal on eBay for like $20.00 shipped a few years back.

 

Personally, I like the hotchkis the best.

I noticed a huge difference in handling. It also killed the strut popping when pulling into driveways or going caddy-corner into parking lots, etc.

 

Hotchkis here. (verry old pic's like '98)
I have the LCS's and PHR also. Well worth the $

 

I have the Hotchkis one on my IROC, and I noticed a pretty big difference in the amount the car seemed to flex and bend.

Pics are somewhere on my website, link is in the sig. I forgot what I paid for it though.

 

I like the looks of the BMR brace. if you are going to get one and you are looking for getting your moneys worth (not just for looks) why would you want a 2 point brace? I have an edelbrock brace in mine. i cant remember how much it was years ago when i got it. I f you want to see what it looks like go to my VB garage.

 

Hey Steve, where did you buy that brace? That's exactly the one I want for my car.
Thanks, Josh.

 

Mnformula,
How do the ends of the bar attach to the strut tower brace? Does this set-up use rod ends or just bolts that run through the body of the brace?
-Andrew

 

[QUOTE=kaptinkafeen]Mnformula,
How do the ends of the bar attach to the strut tower brace? Does this set-up use rod ends or just bolts that run through the body of the brace?

That $20 Jamex brace was not the best engineered products. Just a cheap copy made with cheapest materials possible.

 

To be honest, and in my opinion, most of the stb that are made are not 'as great' as they claim to be. I think, Global West designs a good two point with rod-ends. Mind you, Hotchkiss and the Edelbrock stb's do look good... How 'good they are' is another debatable point.

-Andrew

 

The BMR unit look cool. If only they made one to fit the HSR!

 

I bought mine not because it looked "cool" but because it works. Just take a look at that large open area between the front fenders and anybody with any smarts will see that a STB ties that front end together. Mine works.

 

Here's mine. Kenny Brown 3 point.

 

BMR Fabrication

 

I have a Hotchkis Brace... but lemme tell ya something, it doesn't have proper clearance with a Holley Stealth Ram Intake... I get vibrations through the hood.

 

I was going to get a STB a while back, and i had my mind set on a Hotchkis red one but now after seeing the BMR 3 point one, that looks really really nice and im definatly getting it.

 

Got an LO3?

Edelbrock:

 

That Edelbrock 3 point is the one I'm looking at getting. My car's only a V6 (I plan to do a V8 swap eventually), but I want to get a tower brace, wonderbar, and subframe connectors. It may not be the fastest car in the world, but at least I can have ****loads of fun in the corners.

 

Here another of the Kenny Brown 3-pt. IMO it's the only one to even consider because it has no joints...

 

more edelbrock!

 

I have a BMR two point, it was only like $90-100 bucks a few years back from BMR. Recently I drove without it for a shory trip and noticed alot less stability at high speeds, and this is with the spohn steel strut mounts. Put it back on and the front end rigidity returned. great mod- get one fast

 

OMG!! Is that what that is! I've had that problem for years and can never figure out what the hell it is! Strut bar will help this??!!!

I cant seem to find the hotchkis one, do they still make it?

 

Which of all of these STBs will give you the most clearance???? i know i saw that someone made one that cleared the HSR and im want to know which ones will work with higher aftermarket intakes...can you just use washers/spacers to raise the height at the bolt on point????

 

Depends on how the engine is setting on the motor mounts. On my Hotchkis STB I used Aluminum Spacers the same size as the mounting flange to clear the top of the TPI. But you have to be carefull its not so high that the hood has interference.

 

Yeah, like on mine that I posted, the strut goes over the Holley Stealth Ram, but does rub against the hood at times... nothing serious, just a few vibrations here and there.

 

That when the hood insulation is useful.

 

where did you but this bar at? and how much? itll work on my car perfectly!!!

 

Picture of the Hotchkis STB on my TPI

So much for downloading pictures- Quote, picture used already,

 

Here is my edelbrock




If you look really closely at the 2nd pic, you will see I had to move the holes down, and cut the top off of the mount, this is because it would not clear my ASCD SS hood. Luckily my LS1 sits down lower than a TPI, so I had plenty of room to go down.

 

i hear you shouldnt get one unless you have subframe connectors...is this a myth or what?

i would for sure pay $170 just to stop that strut popping noise, people keep asking me whats wrong with my car lol

 

That brace should have been a factory installed part. It made more improvment in the way my car drives. Then any aftermarket upgrade ive done to the suspension. And my car had all new front end parts when i installed it.The car tracks much better just pulling away from a stop light and going down the road.

I wouldnt have a thirdgen without one.

 

Does anyone know if there will be any issues installing the 3 point one on a V6 car (like clearance)?

 

I had the BMR on my old 92 V6, no problems with fit at all.

Kevin D.

 

Anyone know where you can get teh Kenny Brown made brace?? I think I went to his site, but its down due to him being ill or something. Any other venders have them for sale?? I like that one the best. Edelbrock takes a second. And the Hotchkis is third. I like the idea of a 3-point. Im still toying with the idea of just making one. But who knows when ill get around to that...

Justin

 

it looks like on some v-6's like mine WAS, it would interfere with the ac compressor, or at least some of them, but thats ok because my compressor is soon to be in the trash can...

 

Can you post a picture of your engine? I see you have the 2.8, I have the 3.1.

 

 

 

see that big f'in compressor would def. be in the way of a lot of STBs.

 

The 2.8 looks damn near identical to the 3.1.

 

the only differences are in the motor, nothing visible to the eye, except your intake, ever think about ugrading to the tpi style intake? or would the gains be little to none? ive got a second airbox like mine, i think im going to try and gut it and see if theres a difference. what stbs would fit our cars without the compressor?

 

yea, i saw kenny brown isnt making any more parts =(

Firebird guys with TPI, does the BMR clear your hood and your TPI with no problem?

hotkis doesnt have the STBs listed on their site! -sigh-

Is 3 point better than 2 point?

Thanks!
Bill

 

 

What all has to be taken apart to install these bars? Inner fenders have to come out? I read somewhere that some year 3rd gens have a thinner firewall lip then other years. Anyone have a problem with mounting issues on the back firewall with the 3 point mounts?
Would this be a first good suspension, besides SFC? Or is money better spent in the rear of the car? This one just seems most satisfying because you can see it too.

TIA, Nick.

 

will a stealth ram intake fit under those?