Homegrown STB pics
#1
TGO Supporter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gambrills, Md
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: clapped out 84Z
Engine: 355 efi roller
Transmission: tremec TKO
Homegrown STB pics
Just finished homemade STB and wonder why I didn't do this sooner. I used 1.25x.095" mild steel tubing and 3/16" plate for brackets. Tightened up the front end of the car; I can definitely feel the difference.
Total weight with hardware after paint 7.8lbs
Total cost $60 for steel and $5 for paint
Well worth it!!
Total weight with hardware after paint 7.8lbs
Total cost $60 for steel and $5 for paint
Well worth it!!
#2
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Irmo, SC
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1992 Pontiac GTA
Engine: 305TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt, 2.73
Looks good! I'm surprised the tubing even costs that much.
Is it painted in the picture? The STB almost looks bare metal.
Is it painted in the picture? The STB almost looks bare metal.
#3
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Yes I'm Dean
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: Agood2.8,
Engine: V6rsr,
Transmission: Afrikingoodtime
You'll need to spend another $60 on a grinder to cut it back off the day you need to pull the motor for whatever reason.
#5
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Irmo, SC
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1992 Pontiac GTA
Engine: 305TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt, 2.73
You'll need to spend another $60 on a grinder to cut it back off the day you need to pull the motor for whatever reason.
I could be wrong, but I'm sure Lo-tec will tell us.
#6
TGO Supporter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gambrills, Md
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: clapped out 84Z
Engine: 355 efi roller
Transmission: tremec TKO
The lower plate is bolted to the strut tower with two 3/8" bolts per side. Takes about 2 minutes to remove. The nuts are welded onto the lower plate below tubing, and the bolts go in from the underside of the strut tower. STB is not painted in this pic, but is now a nice shade of low gloss black.
Trending Topics
#9
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Yes I'm Dean
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: Agood2.8,
Engine: V6rsr,
Transmission: Afrikingoodtime
Originally posted by RTFC
You'll need to spend another $60 on a grinder to cut it back off the day you need to pull the motor for whatever reason.
You'll need to spend another $60 on a grinder to cut it back off the day you need to pull the motor for whatever reason.
#11
Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 89 WS6
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt T2R w/ 3:23
I was just talking about building one on a different thread, I like it. You gave some inspiration
#13
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Ga
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 RS
Engine: 305
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73
If I ever get caught up on other projects I will add these finally...
Last edited by DM91RS; 10-07-2006 at 05:57 AM.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 91 Red Sled
Axle/Gears: 10bolt Richmond 3.73 Torsen
If you guys put up some plans you should move the thread over to fabrication... you know, for HELPING people instead of bragging .
I really like your brace, great job from an ME stand point. Typical bolt-in STBs have just 1 bolt on each side which does NOT strengthen the chassis fully. What you've done is prevent the strut towers from deflecting with reference to the frame... very good. Infact you've inspired me to make my own. Takes a lot to inspire me (considering I already have a 3 point STB).
I really like your brace, great job from an ME stand point. Typical bolt-in STBs have just 1 bolt on each side which does NOT strengthen the chassis fully. What you've done is prevent the strut towers from deflecting with reference to the frame... very good. Infact you've inspired me to make my own. Takes a lot to inspire me (considering I already have a 3 point STB).
#15
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Cincinnati,Ohio
Posts: 2,341
Received 151 Likes
on
111 Posts
Car: 1991 BandittII Firebird
Engine: 5.7 HSR
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9 bolt
Originally posted by JPrevost
Typical bolt-in STBs have just 1 bolt on each side which does NOT strengthen the chassis fully.
Typical bolt-in STBs have just 1 bolt on each side which does NOT strengthen the chassis fully.
where have you seen these typical STBs with only one bolted point per side?
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 91 Red Sled
Axle/Gears: 10bolt Richmond 3.73 Torsen
Originally posted by 91banditt2
not to high jack this thread but....
where have you seen these typical STBs with only one bolted point per side?
not to high jack this thread but....
where have you seen these typical STBs with only one bolted point per side?
His bar puts bending moments on the STB in addition to the tension and compression. This makes it inherintly more useful in stiffening up the front end geometry.
Example of another "strong" STB;
#19
TGO Supporter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gambrills, Md
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: clapped out 84Z
Engine: 355 efi roller
Transmission: tremec TKO
It's already done, you just have to put it together!!
SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED (cutting, welding, grinding, painting etc.)
SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED (cutting, welding, grinding, painting etc.)
#21
TGO Supporter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gambrills, Md
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: clapped out 84Z
Engine: 355 efi roller
Transmission: tremec TKO
Tube is 49" long. If fabbing one you have to watch the lip under the hood that is a couple inches in from the edge. To set the height I spaced the tube about 3/4" above my fuel rails and worked backwards from there. The lower plates are 2" X 5", and the spacing on the support plates (vertical height from lower plate to centerline of tubing) was 1" on the outside and 2" on inside.
#22
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Posts: 10,763
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 1982 Trans-Am
Engine: 355 w/ ported 416s
Transmission: T10, hurst shifter
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, true-trac, 3.73
I was going to do this with some square tubing I picked up, but I think it's a tiny bit short, and I believe it's about the same thickness, anyway, I just used it to practice welding on...
That's what I wanted to ask, I figured 1/8" was a good thickness, but that tube you have is only... 13 gauge, compared to 11....
Think that's thick enough to work well? I don't doubt your results, but would 1/8" round work significantly better?
-J
That's what I wanted to ask, I figured 1/8" was a good thickness, but that tube you have is only... 13 gauge, compared to 11....
Think that's thick enough to work well? I don't doubt your results, but would 1/8" round work significantly better?
-J
#23
TGO Supporter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gambrills, Md
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: clapped out 84Z
Engine: 355 efi roller
Transmission: tremec TKO
Originally posted by Sonix
Think that's thick enough to work well? I don't doubt your results, but would 1/8" round work significantly better?
-J
Think that's thick enough to work well? I don't doubt your results, but would 1/8" round work significantly better?
-J
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Memphis, Tn
Posts: 972
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 92' RS
Engine: 357
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 4.10
I would weigh the bar you plan to use to see how much heavier it would be...this bar with mounting hardware weighed in at 7.8lbs...not really light but not bad.
Great Job!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post