Hello all,

Recently I've been in the process of trying to tighten up the suspension and chassis of my car, preparing it for some local rally-cross and cone-killer events coming up.

If you've seen some of my earlier posts, you know that I've lowered and tightened the springs and shocks, got a panhard rod and control arms with relocation brackets, procured a wonderbar (thank you badbob66), and threw some cash down on falkens all the way around.

Next I wanted a strut bar, the bar that runs across the top of the engine connecting the strut towers together. The problem I run into is the fact that I'm a lone wolf running a 4bbl 350 and I cannot seem to find a bar made for my car (every one I dig up is made for TPIs) and they won't work with my current setup (carb, air filter, etc.)

If someone could point me in the right direction, maybe throw a couple URL's my way, I would be eternally in your service! Thank you!

 

Here you go:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/5227/10002/-1
I saw that one on a camaro with a 4 barrel in an issue of chevy high performance maybe a year ago.

 

The only problem with that one is that it is crap. It might as well be a 2-point. I'm sure it keeps the strut towers an equal distance apart, but it doesn't keep the strut towers from folding in towards the firewall, since the mounting brackets on the strut towers are weak and just bend under braking. Vetruck mentioned this in another thread, and I've seen a bent one in person.

 

A pic of my Edelbrock can be seen below in my Car Details. A V-belt system with the AC compressor on the driver's side will have a brace that interferes with the strut-to-strut bar. No problems with a serp system.

JamesC

 

Camarslow,
Thank you so much! That is exactly what's I'm looking for!

gregsz-28,
I appreciate your concern. I see what you're saying with the way the metal is bent, but I think this is better than nothing if I have no other options. Could you perhaps point me in the direction of the thread you're referring to?

JamesC,
That looks incredible! Not only the strut bar, but the whole car. This is a work of art, and I'm sure you're very proud of it!

If anyone has any other links, maybe to one without as many bends, it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

-shouldahadaveight

 

Many thanks.

JamesC

 

i have a strut tower brace from mac performance, it is a 2 point strut tower barce and it bolts directly to the shock tower bolts, no drilling ,,,it is chrome and is beautiful and solid, i have a 350 with edelbrock carb and round style air filter and it doesn't come close to it at all...i also have a wonder bar and SFC underneath, the car handles like crazy!..there may be people with a 3 point tower bar, but really think it's overkill...if you bend this bar , i think you have other serious issues with the car,,good luck.

 

Is there a chance you could post a picture of your strut bar? I cannot decide between a 2 or 3 point

 

Post #57
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fabr...t-tower-2.html

 

If you want to buy an aftermarket strut bar, go with a 2 point. The Edelbrock one is the only 3 point that will fit your car, and the extra material on it to make it a 3 point isn't worth the weight it adds to your car, unless you modify it.

 

I like the three-point Edelbrock for its fit and finish. Moreover, the front end seems more stable (and I'm running spherical strut mounts, SFC's, and a steering box brace). That said, I don't drive the car hard.

At any rate, read the entire link above. It's informative and something from which you can base your opinion. One thing I wonder about Vetruck's experience is the speed(s) he was using and how that speed might affect the mounts' performance.

JamesC

 

JamesC and gregsz-28,

Thank you both for the wealth of information provided! I'm reading up on the link provided now so as to make an informed decision in regards to purchasing a strut bar.

The courses I will be running do not allow for high speeds to be reached, maybe fifty tops, but are more about traction and control. I am taking this all into account before I purchase.

I had one more question though: On the three point, where does it hook up to beneath the windshield?

Thank you!

 

Post #18 of the following link has a pic or two that should answer you question:

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

JamesC

 

JamesC,

I cannot tell you how informative and quick to reply you have been. You have made this process simple and easy, and I cannot tell you how thankful I am.

However, that does not mean I'm done barraging you with questions

Is there any work that needs to be done besides the drilling of the mounts under the windshield?

I believe I read something about having to modify the underside of the hood to fit the brace. Is this true? I have the stock Trans Am hood installed right now. But in your pictures, it looks like your brace (the Edelbrock, i believe) sits lower than your air filter. And my air filter has no clearance problems.

Also, where did you get your air filter top?

I'm using the plain chrome one the previous owner installed, and I wanted one that read '5.7 H.O.' just like yours. Hope you don't think I'm trying to copy you!

Thanks!

 

Trans ams have lower hoods than Camaros, so you may need to modify your hood.

 

gregsz-28,

How would I go about doing this?

Thanks

 

Stephen, who has a bird, mentions having to mod his hood. You might PM him for the particulars.

I had a print shop make the 5.7 H.O. decal for me.

JamesC

 

IDK, I never had a 'bird.
You might just need to dent or cut the underhood bracing a bit, but I agree with James, ask someone like Stephen.