Hi all,

This question has come up numerous times; "What strut tower brace will work with the dual snorkle aircleaner?"

Well, I just purchased a Jamex unit from NoSaint here in Calgary and installed it yesterday. It fits fine, you just have to carefully position everything. Here are photos of where things go, to show you how it is done.

 

Please excuse how dusty my engine compartment is

I promise to clean it this spring

 

Nudder pic.

 

There is about 1/2" to 1/3" between the brace and the aircleaner--just enough

You can adjust this space (and hood clearance) by moving either end of the brace up or down in the clamps on each end of the chrome piece.

 

Another overall view.

 

I find that the strut tower brace SIGNIFICANTLY tightens the steering and makes the front end of the car feel very SOLID--like a concrete block. The steering wheel feels a great deal more solid in my hands, not that it was loose at all but it IS more solid now. It also aleviates some of the squeaks and rattles coming from the dash area. I probably notice this a bit more than others because my car is a T-Top Camaro, though my T-Tops have never rattled.

 

I have two questions.

1. Is the underhood clearance on a firebird less than that on a camaro, because I just can't imagine anything sticking up above the air cleaner and the hood still closing?

2. If the clearance is the same, where can I get one of these?

Eric

 

I just don't know but I suspect there might be less room under a Firebird hood alright.

The Jamex units were going for $20 or so several months back. Post a request on the Classified board and you'll probably find someone that will sell you one. Jamex is no longer in business.

 

for anyone wondering....the carb/tbi Flatout Performance one I have works with a dual snorkel air cleaner too.

 

Thanks for posting the pics. I bought one off ebay about a year ago and haven't got it installed yet. I plan on getting it in within the month.


Was it tough to drill through that plate?

Thanks,
Craig

 

Craig,

No, just use a punch to give the drill bit spot to start on. A sharp drill bit is nice

Actually, start with a bit that is slightly smaller than the 3/8" hex bolts used to attach the end pieces, then open it out with the 3/8" bit.

Shouldn't take more than 40 mins., start to finish.

 

It looks like your intake manifold is silver. Do you have a higher rise aftermarket intake?

 

Yes, it is an Edelbrock Performer.

 

Thanks for the info Sittingbull!!

Quote:

It looks like your intake manifold is silver. Do you have a higher rise aftermarket intake?

The Edelbrock performer is the same height as the stock manifold. If you have a performer rpm it is about .7 inches taller than stock. I had the performer on my 305, but now have the RPM on my 355.

Craig

 

If you ever get anymore power in that engine bay with that same brace, you better get some solid motor mounts. 1/3 of an inch! Both of my cars motors rise up more than that when I give them a good rev!

Looks good though, not to mention the price cannot be beat.

 

Well, I'm pushing 300 hp right now but it hasn't collided!

 

I've seen them go on Ebay for $70-80 bucks but I haven't seen one on there in a LONG time. Really hard to find now. I wish I would have bought 50 or so of them when I had the chance.

Ed

 

Torque makes a motor twist, not hp. My dad had a vette with a 396 in it and he let one of his buddies drive it who had a camaro with a wicked 350 tht ran 12's, my dads vette ran high 10's, anyway his buddy over revved it and the motor rose up so high and pulled on the frame so much that it craked both of the fiberglass front fenders, that's torque.

Anyway, good to hear it's not touching. Also as far as you pushing 300 hp, that's a long shot, not with that intake you are running. I have a similiar setup right now with STOCK heads and it runs low 14's, with that same crappy intake. I'm getting a new one really soon, I'll post the results.

 

I like the Performer intake, it is a step above the stock one. Anyway, there's a list of my mods in my sig. I think 300 hp is about right, gross at the flywheel.

 

I'd say closer to 275. That's just me. You have a better cam than I do and you have the ported/polished heads. The only difference between our cars is that I have a t-5 and 3.73's. You have 700r4 and 3.42s. From what I have seen in your other posts, you say you would run mid-high 14's, I run mid-low 14's with my setup. If you have 300hp, you'd run quicker.

 

I'm just guesstimating my ET, using drag race PC programs. I don't really have an overwhelming interest in knowing what it actually might be, strange as that may sound. I just like the way it drives and handles now

 

I bought one (Edelbrock Strut Tower Brace for TBI/carb.) but in the rush to get it I didn't check that it wouldn't fit on cars with the A/C on the driver's side... does any one want to buy it? $120 takes it!