I have a brand new 1-piece 3-pt Kenny Brown Strut Tower Brace but since I have SLP runners I had a machine shop custom fab me some solid aluminum spacers to go under the mounts on the strut towers. I used a 1/2 spacer on each side, it fits perfect now and doesn't even touch the hood liner

My questions is, I drive my car REALLY hard through windy mountain roads and I'd like some reassureance that it's safe to use the spacers??? I also went with the strongest bolts I could find. I'm just hoping that a 1/2 inch of aluminum isn't going to put too much strain on the top portion of the bolt and that it will snap going through a turn. I highly doubt it will though being that there are 3 bolts on each mount. I'm right, right?

 

well i didn't run the stress on a computer mock up or anything like that, but i'd say it's fine and you won't have any problems.

 

I believe if it's safe to drive without the bar at all, it's probably better even with the spacers than it used to be. Honestly though, I can't see how they could be causing any problems, as long as the hardware (bolts) is adequate.

 

Also had to fab aluminum spacers for my STB to clear the TPI. No problem as long as the fasteners are long enough.

 

92GTA, got any pics? I never see many pics of the kenny brown... if you don't have any pics, do you think if it's not any trouble you could take one or two? Thanks.

 

Sure I can snap a few pics. It's off the car right now cause I'm doing some restoration work on the engine comparment, but as soon as I put it back on (monday or tuesday) I'll post some pics.

 

i also want to see some pics..

 

did u happen to get any pics yet???

 

No I just picked up the spacers and I need to use a belt sander to get the correct angle on them.

I should get that done in the next 48 hours.

I will however run to my garage right now and take a picture for you as it is, hold on.....

 

Here you go:











And this is what I mean by sanding down the space to get the correct angle:

 

Now keep in mind that where it bolts to the Firewall, there is 1 big bar of metal that attaches to the 2 bars that go to the firewall and is very sturdy. The entire piece is 1 big piece with NO joints, that's my kind of brace. However I would buy a Spohn brace but ONLY if it's 1 piece. I mean think about, you use it for regidity, why put a joint in it right...

If you want I can also take a picture of just the brace out of the car but that will have to wait til tomorrow if you want it...

 

I think the Hotchkis Looks better and does the job.

 

I guess if you want some big red out of place looking thing in your engine compartment, plus it has joints. If it was black and 1 piece I'd agree...

The Kenny Brown is painted and texured so well, it looks like a factory piece. It blends in perfectly. I love it...

 

d@mn dude, you needed a huge spacer. Is there one for each side or did you just make one for that side? Is the rear point like offset or is it just an optical illusion with how the engine sits? I kinda like the look of the hotchkis better, but like you said, it seems to me the kenny brown would work just that much better. And I know the descretion of it on your car is exactly what you want, your car being so stock and low miles and all, but I'm going to have all spohn suspenion and I want a red powder coated brace to match the suspension... oh yeah, my car is red too, lol.

 

I have a couple Spohn parts too but I ordered those black on purpose as well. Yes it sits a little off center purpose so it fits better. BTW, my GTA has 103K miles, not exactly low milage

I only have the spacer on that 1 side. The other side didn't need one and with the spacer on the one side, it STB actually sits perfectly straight now. I can't explain it but it does. My front has never been wrecked either. Without the spacer it cleared the passenger side top of the plenum but it was on a downward angle toward the drivers side and it touched the drivers side top of the plenum wihout the spacer. I took the STB in to be bent alittle but we decided it would put a kink in the tubing and compramise the stregnth...

 

92GTA~ How does that STB attach to the firewall?? You dont run self-tapping screws into the firewall do you??




Later..

Dan

 

No, you use a 3/8 drill bit and an electric drill. There is just one hole. Talk about a MAJOR BITCH though!!! That metal is thick and hard as HELL.

 

if you use a smaller bit 1st to drill a pilot its really not too bad..... i really dont know why so many people buy the hotchkis STB personally, it sticks out, is more expensive, and is only 2 points. i have an edelbrock, but that kenny brown looks great.... how much u pay for it?

 

It was only like $135 or something, hella cheap I thought.

I did use a smaller bit to get all ofthe holes started but even with that it was still pretty hard. The metal is ALLOT thicker and stronger than I thought. Knowing that I am VERY glad I got the 3-pt instead of the 2-pt...

I almost got the Edelbrock but at the last minute decided on the Kenny Brown...

 

is the 3pt really that much better the a 2pt one?

 

Only if it's an Edelbrock or a Kenny Brown

People like to argue that point but if it's a solid 1 piece like the KB then of course it would be, IMO anyway...

 

I just finished having my spacer machined. I put an angle on the top and shaved an 1/8th inch off the bottom. If you care to see the final fit an finish just let me know and I'll post a pic. I came out totally sweet. It blends in really well, you don't even notice it really unless it's pointed out...