I have a 07 GT with the stock 3V intake manifold. For the past 10 years I've been using the GT500 OEM strut tower brace (the black steel bar) that is flipped around with washers to clear the intake manifold. I had to remove my plenum cover (which I bought when they were like $30 from the dealership) to fit the STB.

I noticed a lot of pics of people running the Boss 302 strut tower brace (the one that looks like the STB's used on the current S550) with the plenum cover.

Do I need to do anything to use the Boss 302 brace with the plenum cover? Will the brace rub against the hood liner? My GT500 bar did rub against the liner, but after 10+ years its just an indent now and no real harm to the hood itself.

If the Boss 302 brace isn't the best route to go, do you recommend anything else?

My goal is to use the plenum cover with some kind of strut tower brace and not have anything rub.

 

I can't say for certain, but you should be okay on clearance to the plenum cover - the 2010 GT had the same plenum cover and the STB used on the 2010s is the same bar as the Boss cars. That said, the 2010-2012 did have that hood bulge, so clearance to the hood might be close. Still, those Boss bars are so cheap, you could try it out and just return it or buy a used one for the experiment...

 

Charlie, I can't say for certain as to whether the Boss 302 brace will clear or not with the plenum cover.. However I can confirm the STB for the 2008-09 Bulliit models will clear both the hood and plenum covers for all 2005-09 models..

I still have the Ford Racing STB that was installed on my old 2005 GT which is exactly the same as the Bullitt STB that fits all 2005-09 V6, GT and GT/CS models.. In the meantime, here's some images of the FRPP STB on my previous 05 GT with plenum cover.. FPP part #M-20201-F..

 

I searched around and the Boss 302 STB isn't as cheap as I'd like on the used market. I'm thinking about going with the BMR STB011. It seems to clear the plenum and has a wider center piece. The Bullitt/FRPP STB is more expensive, and while it does look good I kind of dig the solid design of the BMR/Boss STB. I'm curious as to how much the BMR weighs and whether or not it is much more than the FRPP/Bullitt or Boss 302 (someone said it was just under 8 lb).

 

Charlie, if interested I'll sell you mine, as it's just sitting in the basement gathering dust.. I'll sell it for $115.00+S&H..

 

Rocky,
That looks like a tight fit between the cover and the STB. Did you see how the STB clears the hood liner?

I ended up going with CJ Pony's Boss 302 STB. It clears the engine and cover without any problems, but the leading edge of the bar contacts the hood liner. Using clay to check for clearance, that front part of the bar jabs into the liner. It doesn't seem to interfere with the hood closing.

 

Charlie, the Ford Racing STB cleared both the plenum cover and hood liner perfectly with no issues.. As I mentioned previously, it's the very same STB that was factory installed on the 08-09 Bullitt, but without the Bullitt name plate and serial number and is also the very same STB for the V6 model as well.. I did extensive with Ford Racing to make certain the STB for the Bullitt and V6 were both one in the same before purchasing it..

 

Here is the STB that I use it is the BOSS 302 brace. I have the FRPP intake and have no problem with clearance.

 

Just an update, I did buy the Boss 302 STB from CJ Pony Parts. They claim it was made by a different manufacturer, but has all the OEM markings. ANyhow it fits with the engine cover, but the front rubs on my hood liner.

 

Charlie, you're going to find that pretty much all the STB's are going to rub at least somewhat on the hood liners, but not to the extent where they'll rub through.. When I had my Bullitt/V6 STB there was also a small amount of rub marks on my hood liner as well..

 

Hood liner? I tore that thing out quite a while ago.

You know you can always lower the motor a little bit. Plenty of mounts out there that you can use to lower the engine height. Should help with handling too with the lower center of gravity.