I'm looking to buy a strut brace for my engine bay, but i have a tbi with a 14" air cleaner on. Anyone know of a strut brace that works around this and could use stock bolting pattern?

regards,
Timinsk

 

None that I'm aware of that will fit your car. IIRC, MAC makes one for the TPI. As you probably know, the Edelbrock will fit if you're willing to drill some holes.

JamesC

 

ouch... drilling.. Theres no like plates i could apply to retro fit or something?

 

I'm unaware of anything. Here's link that may dispel some of your apprehension about drilling:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...-3-pt-stb.html

JamesC

 

aaww nothing for stock struts.. darn, i'd like something like that but for stock... darn, i have the same air cleaner too... kind of lol open air though

 

Keep in mind that unless you have solid bearing strut mounts, a STB is basiclly pointless.

 

That's a matter of opinion.

I've done STBs before, with stock strut mounts & a STB did still make a noticeable difference.

 

JamesC

 

I'm sorry I'll have to disagree with you. Despite what you consider a "noticeable difference"

The rubber in stock type mounts will allow way more flexing then a solid bearing. So even with an STB, the stock rubber will flex. And I'm pretty sure the rubber will flex before strut towers. It's just stupid to spend money on a STB and still have rubber stock type mounts. What would make more sense, is buy solid mounts 1st, then get a STB.

Think of it like this. I think we all agree that SFCs should be the 1st thing you do, right? And why is that? Basicly it's the same theory to solid mounts and a STB.

 

There is a lot of deflection in the strut towers - just the way GM built the cars in a cheap a$$ way. Tying them together is not so great, a 3 point anchored into the firewall is ideal.

I noticed a huge difference in front end stiffness by putting an Edelbrock 3pt STB on my Camaro - I don't have aftermarket strut mounts.

 

Ask around, I think someone on here fabricated their own and it turned out nice.

 

Well, when you get some, then you'll see what I mean.

 

within one week i installed both the J&M caster/camber plates and Edelbrock 3 pt. strut tower brace, when compressing the front suspension the stock strut tower mounts would allow 1/4-1/2" of flex up and down, and a fair amount of slop from side to side.

first i did the solid strut mounts, then the brace. I would say that 70% of the improvemnet came from the solid strut mounts and 30% from the strut tower brace, the brace did make the front feel tighter and more responsive, but the biggest improvment was from the solid mounts