Hey guys,

I've put a few posts up here about this, but i just went to install my Hotchkis STB that i bought used and it doesn't seem to fit. I was hoping for some good pictures and measurements from some of you that have this bar. With mine just laid in, it measures about 1-3/4" from the front top of intake plenum to the top of the bar, and then the two brackets from bottom to highest point are about 3-1/2". I feel like the bar should be closer to the intake and the brackets shouldn't be that tall. i haven't closed the hood completely because i don't want to damage anything but it just looks and feels way too high. The brackets are touching my hood insulation with the hood not latched and the bar is as well.


Please help? I really hope I have a bar made for a third gen...

 

First off, I don't think it would be for a 4th gen because I think their strut towers are closer together. If it were for the 4th gens, I don't think it would reach both strut towers.

I don't have the Hotchkis STB (I have Edelbrock) but maybe you had it bolted together wrong. People sometimes get the mounts that attach to the strut towers revered which may cause it to sit higher. Try flipping them around to see if it makes a difference or post pictures of it to give us a better idea of what may be the problem.

 

Hey,

Okay, so from the research I have done, it doesn't look like they make a bar for a third gen car. It looks like they are all for fourth gens and you can just reverse the bracket to make it fit on a third gen. is this correct?

I unfortunately do not have any pictures as I do not have the car with me right now, but I guess what my question is, has anyone made this bar fit with keeping the stock hood insulation and not having it hit? I believe I can bore out the hole on the bracket and then grind the top down. however, the top of the bracket would have to be welded closed some how... I think with a little work it is possible, but i'm just curious if its possible with no work...

Let me know! thanks...

 

I bought my Hotchkis when the only product was for 3rd gens. I painted it black & installed it in a jiffy. I was a little worried, too, but I've had it in for 15 years and it leaves a very faint imprint in the insulation. The center clears the TPI cover by 3/8", and I think there remains a pretty safe clearance between the brackets and the hood; the bar isn't any problem. If you think you bought a bar for a 3rd gen OK, try lying somthing big, like a coffee can lid, on top of the brackets before you lower the hood all the way - at least it won't dimple. Unless you're trying to use a 4th gen, I think you're going to be fine - many of us have successfully installed the Hotchkis STB.

 

thats good to hear... I know its been done. i'm just glad to hear you had the same issue with the bracket hitting the insulation. do you have a measurement of the bracket... from the lowest piece (on the strut tower) to the highest (that hits the insulation)?

thanks a lot!

 

I had one on my 90 RS. Fit one on my 87 GTA I have now, & it just barely touched the GTA hood when closed. And the Pontiac goods DO sit quite a bit lower.

It'll fit your Camaro, with no problem. Don't worry.