Strut braces

[Jaycey]

Im looking into getting a strut tower brace. and i wanted to see what you guys think looks the best and what the best models are and where to find them. thanks

[Joe 1320]

Since we don't have struts, they are actually shock tower braces. There are three designs that I know of. Two of the designs are attached at two points, just the towers. The third is a three point that also ties in the base of the windshield cowl. BMR makes a solid one piece, Hotchkis and SLP make a two point but are three pieces, two brackets bolt to the shock towers and the center bar bolts to the brackets.

Here's the Hotchkis on mine....

[Jaycey]

thanks. i was looking into a hotchkis with the 3 point design like this one http://memimage.cardomain.net/member.../2041060_5.jpg but i cant seem to find a place to buy it or even to get a price. does the bar improve handleing?

[ConElite]

From what I have heard, It does stiffen up the car and all that good stuff. Have you done the LCA and Panhard.

[Jaycey]

i found a place to buy that part at hotchkis.net its like 250 or so. but no i havent done the lca and panhard, what is that anyways?

[Joe 1320]

i found a place to buy that part at hotchkis.net its like 250 or so. but no i havent done the lca and panhard, what is that anyways?

The lower control arms are sometimes called trailing arms. They bolt to the rear differential assembly on the ends by the wheels. They locate the differential housing from front to rear and help transfer rotational motion into foreward motion. The stock contol arms are stamped steel with compliant rubber bushings. While good for ride quality, they deflect under load and creat handing problems. The panhard rod keeps the differential centered in the chassis. It is made of the same construction and causes the same kind of handling problems when pushed hard. Aftermarket control arms and panhard rods really aid in taking out the slop found in factory parts and they stand up to the abuse of racing conditions, they will help eliminate wheel hop and creat a more stable suspension.

[97LT1Z28]

I love my shock tower brace. It really tightens up the front end. I temporarily removed my Shock Tower Brace when I sent my car in to have the motor replaced. Afterwards, on the drive home, it felt like a 78 Buick without the STB. I put it back on immediately.