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Hey gang, I recently installed sub-frame connectors (very noticeable difference!) and now I am ready to purchase a strut tower brace to tie the front end together. Any recommendations? I see some inexpensive ones (new single tube) on Ebay for about $85 and others (new too, Hotchkis) that are $265 so the question is, do you get what you pay for here or are they all going to be similar with the end result? Any help will be appreciated...
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Re: Strut Tower Brace???
honestly, you're paying for a curved bar of metal...there's not much to differentiate the expensive ones from the cheaper ones except finish and name...grab one at your price range and throw it in.
i got my BMR stb from lmperformance.com for around 100 shipped. does the trick just fine.pacesetters|full 3" borla exhaust|3" stainless e-cutout|slp cai & ram intake|c/f whisper lid|tbs|eibach|kyb|stb|sfc's|adj.lca's & phb|slp fan|b&m t5|180*|z06 17x9.5|8000k hids|hptuners|d/s rotors
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Re: Strut Tower Brace???
i went with the Hotchkis one and like it. i just didn't like the look of that single bar. you can find the Hotchkis ones used a lot and usually around $100-150. As far as performace, i don't know if there's a difference....probably not.
Just a tid-bit.....you'll need a 15mm deep-socket for the bolts.Comment
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Re: Strut Tower Brace???
Hotpart.com has J&M's single bar STB for about $80, but honestly that money would probably be better spent elsewhere. Unless you're going for appearance or something to lean on while working under the hood, I don't think you'll find that a strut tower brace will do much. Especially for the price you'll be paying for one.'99 Camaro
'04 Saab 9-3 Aero
'90 Audi Coupe QuattroComment
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Re: Strut Tower Brace???
Perhaps I should mention that my camaro is a convertible. It is also my daily driver that gets driven hard once in a while but not beat on or raced. Mostly stock too (intake and exhaust mods as well as the mentioned SFC)... pace2006, knowing this, do you still think a STB is unnecessary for my car?Comment
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Re: Strut Tower Brace???
With a convertible you might get by with a slight difference in feel. But, it might not be enough to make you feel that the money spent on it was worth it. If I was in your place, I would save that money towards something that will make a much more noticeable difference; shocks.
Edit: If you really want to talk to a much more knowledgeable individual about getting the right setup for your car and its needs, Sam Strano would be the guy to call. He also offers strut tower braces and other suspension parts. You can find his number on his website:
http://www.stranoparts.com/Last edited by pace2006; 05-13-2009, 08:03 PM.'99 Camaro
'04 Saab 9-3 Aero
'90 Audi Coupe QuattroComment
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Re: Strut Tower Brace???
New shocks??? hmmm, mine still has the original de carbon shocks (79,773 miles), are KYB GR2 a decent strut and shock? $207 gets all 4 delivered to my door...Comment
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Re: Strut Tower Brace???
honestly couldn't be bad compared to 80k stockers...even new de carbons would be an upgrade at that point. the agx and gas-a-just are also pretty solid kyb's for a bit more dollar. i've got gas-a-just's all around until i upgrade to QA-1's later and they run just fine.pacesetters|full 3" borla exhaust|3" stainless e-cutout|slp cai & ram intake|c/f whisper lid|tbs|eibach|kyb|stb|sfc's|adj.lca's & phb|slp fan|b&m t5|180*|z06 17x9.5|8000k hids|hptuners|d/s rotors
sigpic
gone in body, but not in spiritComment
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Re: Strut Tower Brace???
I had a SLP with my subframes and it stiffens up the front , but I also have a ST35mm front sway. But I can tell when I have the strut tower on/off. I sold my SLP stb one and I do noticed a difference but my front is still stiff. so I'm still good. Hotchis is proabably the best but the others work fine stiffening the front.08' L76 6.0L 4X4 Chevy EXT.Cab LTZ Vortec MAX with Snug top cover, Dynomax exhaust,Hptuners& K&N intake
96' Camaro M5 to A4 conversion, alot of mods . GT35R Turbo full suspension. Built engineComment
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Re: Strut Tower Brace???
nitetime- mine's a vert too and is also my daily driver. i didn't really notice a difference with the brace, but i do like having it. my car only has 30k, so i'm waiting on the shocks. i would look into those first and keep an eye out for a used brace.Comment
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Re: Strut Tower Brace???
i got mine for like $30 new. im very happy with it check out the tread>>>http://forum.camarov6.com/showthread.php?t=91443&page=3Comment
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Re: Strut Tower Brace???
I have the Hotchkis STB. Got it used for $100. It looks great and is functional. If you can find a deal like that I'd say go for it.Comment
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Re: Strut Tower Brace???
i paid like $95 (used) for mine. i like it alot better than the single bar.
Finding them used it the way to go. I wouldn't spend that kind of money for a new one.
like shadow said, if you can find a good deal on one, i say grab it!Comment
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Re: Strut Tower Brace???
Thanks for all the replies everyone, I appreciate the help. I have begun looking into shocks as I have read that our stock De Carbon shocks are only good for 40k or so, half the mileage of what I currently have. My car seems to handle decent however and the existing shocks appear fine, anyone have experience with De Carbon that they care to share. If I go aftermarket, any suggestions in the $200 price range? I see KYB, Monroe and Gabriel are all about $200 for front 2 struts and rear 2 shocks. Anyone with these installed?
As for the STB, I'll keep an eye out for decent used ones and grab the 1st good deal.Comment
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