I figured this question belongs to this thread. Would a double bar strut brace be better than a single bar brace? I would guess not, but wouyld like to hear some opinions. Also, I see some no-name companies produce single bar strut braces for under $100 or even under $50. Do you think those will hold as well as say Steeda or Kenny Brown?

 

Well, here are more questions:
1) how would you get the right torque when tightening the tower bolts after installing the brace?
a) ask a mechanic (assumes that bar came with instructions)
B) use a torque wrench (assumes that bar came with instructions)
c) use a regular wrench and tighten as much as possible

2) strut tower bar and some other components stiffen the frame. Does that help during an accident or hurt? I understand that new cars are designed to fold in order to absorb energy. Well, strut bar will prevent that from happening and pass the impact energy on to the driver. What do you think?

 

Maybe I'm looking at this wrong but it would seem to me that the strut tower brace should not have a negative impact. The strut tower brace is designed to stiffen the car from side to side. I thought, on the other hand, that the S197 was designed to crumple from front to rear (or rear to front).

 

Well I bit the bullet and bought the Steeda brace from Mustangtuning.com

More to come...

 

The Ford OEM and Steeda braces attach to all four studs on the upper brace - the KB and Dallas braces for the V6 attach only to the two inboard studs - does that/will that make a difference?

 

My guess it shouldn't. My guess is that with even 4 bolts design the main force is against the two inside bolts. However, I am not an engineer so this is just my opinion. Btw, what's a good place to buy Kenny Brown brace?

 

When you say Ford OEM I assume you mean Ford Racing right?

Also, and correct me if I'm wrong, both the Ford Racing and Steeda braces attach to only 2 studs from the pictures I've seen just like the others

Steeda
[attachmentid=40018]

Kenny Brown
[attachmentid=40017]

Ford Racing (GT)
[attachmentid=40015]

Dallas
[attachmentid=40020]

 

That V6 Steeda pic looks like a V8.

 

I believe a V6 bar will fit a GT but not the other way around and that it was taken on a GT because they didn't have a V6 at their disposal merely for photography but I could be wrong

Here's the link
http://www.steeda.ca/catalogue_product.asp?id=2472

This was the only site I couldn find where the V6 Steeda bar was not just portrayed with a picture of the GT bar with a little disclaimer that says V6 model may vary

 

Well, I ordered a Steeda last weekend and it came in the mail today

It looks the same as the GT bar except the Steeda logo is a little narrower.

It is supposed to be a nice 80 degree day tomorrow, I will install it and post some pics.

 

Well, I installed it this morning and it definately makes a differance in handling. Seems like the car is a LOT more solid after the install.

All I need now is to get some 17" Bullits and I will be set...

 

Another pic...

 

Awesome, looking forward to getting mine

My mistake- I'll edit my pictures in case someone needs them for future reference

 

Looks nice! Hmm, wonder if it will clear the X-Charger...

 

05BlackVert,
Can you post a picture show the gap from under the bar and the top of the intake. I looks very tight !

Any risk that they will touch !

What about when you close the hood is it compressing the liner inside the hood ?

 

I found/purchased this one on ebay - similar to FRP and Steeda:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=8019992735

 

There is about .5 inches between the top of the engine and the STB. I don't think there is any danger they will touch.

I looked at the liner and there are no marks or anything so I would assume clearance is not a problem.

One think I will say is that the STB makes a HUGE differance (expecially in the vert). When I am driving on a curvy road or if I have to make a sudden lane change, the car feels like it is a LOT more solid than before (especially with the top down).

I HIGHLY recommend getting a STB, especially if you have a vert!!!

 

I installed mine yesterday but its been raining pretty hard so I haven't gotten a chance to test it much, but since you asked I walked outside to take a look and I think I"m paranoid now. Becasue I think it is touching! I followed the lines where the hood meets the car and they seem wider towards the passenger compartment, where the brace is under the hood...and ever so slightly above the rest of the quarter panels. Maybe this is just me being too critical of the car- anyone else have this without the brace on? There is also a rough spot on the liner above the bar, but I can't be sure it caused this because I didn't notice the liner before. I'll try to grab pictures in the morning. I've contacted Steeda to see if there have been any reports of fitment issues with the brace. I'll keep you guys posted

 

Good luck with getting to fitment right. It seems to be a god product so far, with performance.

 

Put some white chalk, baby powder or like (very bright lipstick will do as well) on the brace then close the hood. Open the hood and see if you have any marks on the liner. Let us know plz.