Shock tower braces

[Docta]

What do they do? And are they worth buying? I see alot of people with them, I was just wondering what the purpose is.

[unvmyrs]

Re: Shock tower braces

They tighten up your front suspension... not quite but almost like a panhard bar for the front. They are also considered cosmetic but they do have a purpose. I got a red umi brace from the ws6store for like 70 bucks. Unless you're gonna go all out the umi one is fine. The welds are good quality and the whole thing is just good quality. Ones like the hotchkis brand brace are pretty expensive and I don't know that they provide any more than the inexpensive ones.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Shock tower braces

They are meant to--wait for it-- brace the shock towers.

The idea is that they tie the two sides of the car together across the top because otherwise there is no support. They have the same general idea as sub frame connectors; chassis reinforcement. It should affect high-speed turn-in and overall handling.

While I can't speak for overall handling, not having pushed my car to the limits consistently enough before and after install, I can say that the car felt quite a bit stiffer when entering incline driveways at angles. There was less cracking and creaking from the dashboard, and just a more solid overall feel. Most people will tell you it's an aesthetic mod only, but I definitely noticed the difference. And since I noticed the difference at low speed incline turn in, I'd imagine it has some effect on overall handling as well. It also provides a nice handle when working on the engine.

But for real chassis reinforcement, sub frame connectors are better bang for the buck.

[cam98aro]

Re: Shock tower braces

most people here say they didnt notice a difference

[ssms5411]

Re: Shock tower braces

If you don't have upgraded suspension mods like bigger sways,stiffer shocks & springs and SFC's then you'll notice the STB when chaning lanes at higher speeds and cornering. But it was a def. notice of difference, after all my suspension mods I took it off and noticed a slight difference on the corners but it was def. better with it on, suspension doesn't flex as much under load.

[kristen]

Re: Shock tower braces

most people here say they didnt notice a difference

after everything i even did to my car the thing made noooooooo difference. but since i did have th mods it was nice to have the piece of mind.

just about everyone has them for apperence.

[Docta]

Re: Shock tower braces

I'll admit they look fancy. But not more than like $40 fancy.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Shock tower braces

See if you can find a used one, or they also sell them on ebay for like $25. Obviously not of the same quality, but if all you want is the appearance. I personally don't regret my stb purchase even a little bit. I think I paid $80 new for my J&M.

[Docta]

Re: Shock tower braces

I want all the gains possible, but I'm getting mixed opinions here... =/

[cam98aro]

Re: Shock tower braces

after everything i even did to my car the thing made noooooooo difference. but since i did have th mods it was nice to have the piece of mind.

just about everyone has them for apperence.

i would love to try one, but i never drive my camaro anymore.. just to see if it does make a difference or not.

some people say that changing the oil makes their car feel more powerful.

[whitdog54]

Re: Shock tower braces

I would save money for sub frame connectors first. Once you have that coverred, keep an eye out for a used hotchkis STB. they look the best and have the best chance to actually make a difference. Just make sure they come with the 2 shims if you do get it used.

[PalmHarbor]

Re: Shock tower braces

I have one on my 2000 Camaro and it DEFINATELY made a positive improvement.
Cheapest investment I made....that was worth it.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Shock tower braces

I personally can't see the idea behind the Hotchkis bars. They may be the most expensive, but having moving parts makes no sense for a chassis reinforcement bar to me. A solid bar makes a lot more sense, and those can be had for cheaper.

Like I said, many people will say they didn't notice a difference while others will swear it did. Like most minor performance modifications, it's mostly subjective. Most people will say the change from a two-piece steel drive-shaft to a one-piece aluminum drive-shaft is a very noticeable difference, which has been reinforced by independent testing which showed a 0.2 second improvement in 1/4th mile time. However, I made this same swap and noticed absolutely no difference whatsoever, even trying to feel a difference and expecting one too. In the same way, I put on my STB not expecting a difference, but felt a very noticeable difference.

[whitdog54]

Re: Shock tower braces

I remember reading why the hotchkis STB is the only stb to actually make a difference, but I cant seem to find the link, if it comes up ill post it, or maybe someone else knows. But thats what sold me on the hotchkis, had one in my bird, now looking for one for the Z

[ssms5411]

Re: Shock tower braces

I personally can't see the idea behind the Hotchkis bars. They may be the most expensive, but having moving parts makes no sense for a chassis reinforcement bar to me. A solid bar makes a lot more sense, and those can be had for cheaper.

Like I said, many people will say they didn't notice a difference while others will swear it did. Like most minor performance modifications, it's mostly subjective. Most people will say the change from a two-piece steel drive-shaft to a one-piece aluminum drive-shaft is a very noticeable difference, which has been reinforced by independent testing which showed a 0.2 second improvement in 1/4th mile time. However, I made this same swap and noticed absolutely no difference whatsoever, even trying to feel a difference and expecting one too. In the same way, I put on my STB not expecting a difference, but felt a very noticeable difference.

FirebirdGT, Robert can give you the low down on the Hotchkis STB , when I met with him before he showed me the difference in his Hotchkis and when i had my SLP one, his a engineer so I would trust his word. But they are so pricey , I want to buy a chrome one but its $220.