I'm looking at the eldlebrock strut tower brace for TBI cars. Has anyone had any trouble with this part? Do you need to drill holes to install this? Did it make a noticeable improvement in your handling? I know Shifty has one and if nothing else it does look nice.

 

I have nothing but good to say about it.

You do have to drill 6 holes to install.

(sorry no pics witht he new intake/ect on the engine)

 

Glad to hear it cause I ordered one

 

Yup, 6 holes is all you need to drill and there are 8 bolts all together. You only need one drill bit, a socket and an allen wrench. The only thing I do not like about it is the poor quality of the powder coat. However, it absilutely performs awesome.

 

Awesome, I just love cars that can handle around the curves, my engine bay isn't much to look at anyway.

 

How much of noticable difference did the STB make? Is it really worth it?

 

yes, everyting you can do to stiffen the chasis, and control strut deflection and movement helps.

 

Does it improve ride quality? And help eliminate squeaks and raddles?

 

Do you guys think it is worth adding a wonderbar as well? As far as I can tell they serve the same function.

 

they serve completly diffrent purposes. The STB is to keep the upper mount equidistant from each other, so teh camber curve is matched between the wheels.

The wonderbar is to re-enforce the frame rail, where the steering box attaches, it is known to have issues with craking.

Yes, both are worth it, and both are smart upgrades.

 

Ditto. The front end of these cars is one big floppy box. We all know how well a cardboard box holds together without the bottom. You should always get sub frame connectors first. Then look into a STB.

 

I had subframe connectors welded in about a month ago, thats what started my suspension addiction.

 

just wait until you keep a calculator in the garage, and start thinking about angles and geometry ALL the time.

 

Are there any other suspension products you would recommend picking up? I've thought about lowering my car but I'm trying to keep a stock look on the outside.

 

don't get me started, you will be thousands of dollars poorer. i have a LONG list.

(see sig) and that is not everything, and i have several more things in the works.

 

Okay guys I got my STB and I've got some problems. First off it doesn't want to line up like I think it should. The two pieces that sit on the fender well don't want to sit flat and second my drill seems to be powerless against my car. Any suggestions?

 

I would use a punch to get the hole started. Keep trying to posistion it in a neutral place. It sits on the outward edge of the firewall lip. I would put the whol thing together and lay it in place and use a marker to mask where it fits best. It takes a little patience and some good "ol' eye ballin' ", but you will get it. Don't worry if the two peices do not lay completely flat on the lip. It will bolt down just fine.

 

My friend used a hammer and screwdriver to start a hole, made me cringe everytime he swung. Did you have trouble getting the drill straight with the hood on or is it just me?

 

It is tricky but you can get it. I think mine was at a slight angle when I did it with the side of the drill pressed against the inside lip of the back of the hood. A little angle won't hurt anyhting.

 

I'm gonna give it another shot after work today, for some reason I thought this was going to be an easy install. Did you have to jack up the car to tighten the nuts on the bolts for the side mounts?

 

nope, i can access them just fine with the car sitting.

 

Same here. I just reach under the fender well there and get a wrench on the bolts. I thighten from up top.

 

Cool, looks like all that wheel gap will come in handy for the first and probably last time ever.

 

Something that might help you guys if you are not already doing so is to mark the center of the hole and drill a pilot hole with something small like a 1/8" dia. bit and step it up from there until you have the size that you want. With sharp bits and a good drill that strut tower dones not have a chance.

Later Darrell

 

This what I did for the strut area. Just make sure your drill bit is small or you will hear a suspicious hissing sound

 

Okay heres the latest, I finally got the holes drilled through on the firewall lip, but it won't sit right if I put the stb over the lip I have to put it under, don't think it should matter except now I'm having a hell of a time getting the nuts on the bolts. On a side note I want to kill this thing, I really do...were it alive I would smack it with my hammer...


Anyway, delay of game has been called due to thunderstorms...

 

Woohoo, look at me and my bad self, I got it in after only 3 rounds of fighting with it. Kinda makes me wish I could drive her...