Anyone over here in the UK (or indeed the rest of Europe ) tried fitting a strut brace with a carbed engine - and if so what problems were encountered...

 

Hi mate,

It's on my 'to do' list (which is about 2 A4 pages long) When I take the plunge, I will go for an Edelbrock STB. If you go for one meant for TBI- it is as good as a carbed version. Expect to pay about £170 though in the UK. At least that was what I was quoted. It was enough to put me off for a year or two!

Felix

 

I would expect major issues with my setup, as perched on top of the holley carb is a edelbrock high flow air-filter, which certainly looks much bigger than the can that came with the 305. If I was to do anything like put a brace in, I'd need one that went round the air-filter to the rear. I've seen pics of them somewhere, but I can't remember where.

If you have a fairly stock engine setup then try searching the chassis/suspension area. Alternatively you may just need to measure the clearance you have. Though I'm not sure how... The only solution I have thought of was that if I could borrow someone elses small child to sit in the engine bay with a ruler and a torch and close the lid and get them to measure it.... Some might call that method cruel though....

Si. :lala:

 

Do you have any friends who are handy with a welder? In which case you could try getting one custom fabricated. There's plenty of information on the Suspension board about people who have done this.

 

ah yes... there was the detail I forgot to mention.... like Si I too have a Holley but with rocker-covers which are far higher than standard (edelbrock ally heads)... the airfilter actually touches the bonnet underlay (not for much longer since it is being ripped out soon!) so just looking for ideas....

 

Hmmm,
I think in your case it's probably easier to make one.I've got a homemade one.The steel shouldn't cost you more than a tenner and at least you can put it where it will fit.

 

Eric,

You got pics of your home made brace? Infact, got any pictures of your car as it stands? I keep hearing about your project but haven't seen anything.

With the price of the dollar the way it is there's no excuse for not buying from the U.S. if you're going to be buying one.

 

Heres the strut tower mounts which are welded on.

 

Heres the STB

 

Heres the STB.

 

The car is a long way from finished and to be quite honest it looks a bit of a state even though I've done a hell of a lot of work to the shell.I've spent a fortune on bits and I hope to get the car finished this year as long as I get my garage sorted.My latest purchase is a Moser 9" rearend and the next is (hopefully) a Rodec 400ci aluminium block.As you can tell from my sig there are a hell of a lot of mods,some bolt on but most quite major jobs.I try to do most of the work by myself with a good mate doing stuff I can't.I'm afraid it's going to take as long as it takes but I'll stick some more pics on and take some of the car? on the drive.

 

Panhard bar.

 

SFC.

 

Koni strut(not bloody cheap!)

 

Eric,

Forget about the STB. I love that plank flooring. You're not thinking of remodelling any time soon and removing that, are you?

I would think that steel prices in the UK would be similar to the US, therefore the material cost is inconsequential. For the £170, you could nearly afford a gasless MIG welder and make your own quite easily. Then you could acquire a bit more plate steel and box the rear LCAs - again, for almost nothing. Then a bit more tubing and sheet/angle would get you the material to fabricate a wonder bar. Roll cage, anyone?

 

Just so happens...

 

My mates,I made it he welded it

 

Boxed LCA's you said(with energy suspension bushes)

 

The car(I said it wasn't pretty)

 

Hey Vader,
Glad you like the floor,it is actually american pine!I think the wonderbar has got to be the next on the fabricating list.I've got 2 mig gas welders,a small one I had new for 200 Quid and a big ***** for 50 off a mate.Also bought an electronic mask,don't know how the hell I managed without it!

 

Dang, you are a busy chap.

But getting back to IROC's post, here's my strut brace on my TBI.

 

looks good UK89... then again your whole car was the buisness anyway... will have to have a word with my mate and see what his thoughts are