Hey I was wondering if there are any real differences between the distances of third gen and fourth gen strut towers. I haven't done any measuring just yet, but I figured I'd ask and throw it out to you guys. I know there are obvious differences between each strut tower brace, but most are just different inorder to clear motor/hood. Is there anybody out there running a 4th gen STB? What is everybody else running for a STB?

 

yes there is a difference and they wont work. if they would, they would be sold as such

i have a carbed car and there really arnt any made that would fit my application so i had one made custom

 

Pics?

JamesC

 

NOT custom, but edelbrock

 

yeah edelbrock makes one for carbed/tbi cars

 

Unfortunately, it won't fit carbed cars with the A/C compressor on the driver's side.

JamesC
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Would the complete L69 system fit under the Edelbrock?

 

I had this brace wayyy back when they first strted making them(early 90s).Anyway, Back then i still had the stock V-belts.That & the dual snorkel with the complete ducting fit with no problems.It wasnt until i switched to the serpentine belt that the passenger side ducting would no longer clear the A/C lines,the driver side still fits though, but i just leave it off.

 

Stb's don't do crap...I have one and hardly noticed an improvement at all, if any. Sticky tires and new shocks and struts are going to get you a MUCH bigger improvement, along with springs. Then after that just get subframe connectors and be done with it. Don't waste money on a stb. It's really not worth the money if you ask me.

 

Sticky tires,shocks,struts,springs.Will make your car grip the road better.Which in turn puts more stress on the chassis,frame,strut towers,etc.Thereby making STBs(along with SFCs) all the more necessary.You dont have to feel it for it to be doing its job.

 

WOW...i had a totaly different experiance with installing a strut tower brace. It made a big improvement in mine. Even after replacing every front end part that could be replaced. So mine was in great shape when i installed it as well. The front felt much more stable with it. My car is a hard top so its pretty tight to begin with. I think the key is to get a three point just connecting the two towers together isnt nearly as good as connecting them too the cowl as well.

 

I guess it depends on the type. The solid ones that bolt to the strut tower work cause thats the proper design. The ones that bolt to the bracket then bolt to the strut tower pivot, completley defeating the point of the stb. Which is supposed to make a firm brace between the two towers, keeping them level.

I had put a solid one on one of my older model cavaliers, and the difference in low speed turning (cul-de-sac or parking) was huge. Though those car have much softer suspension than our cars. My Z28 stays very level in low speed turning so I don't know if my car would benefit from one.

 

For me just driving down the highway the car felt more solid. The brace took all the wonder out of the front at low and high speed. I think thats what impressed me the most.

IMO..As far as the pivot points go, remember the brace is bolted together, its not supposed pivot. Those points are very tight and i doubt they pivot much at all really. And if your removing anything on the motor, you can pull the cross brace, without having to remove the whole stb. Which would be a pain.

I agree Your right the one peice is the better design as far as stiffness. But only if it was a three point imo. And then i bet it would be a pain to remove if you had to pull the intake, or anything on top of the motor.