Okay, so I got the SR strut brace and installed it last night in my garage. This morning it was warm enough to wash the car so I gave it a wash and took it out to see if the strut brace actually makes a difference.

For those looking for some huge and noticeable difference in your day to day normal driving, trust me you won't find it. The most noticeable difference is that when the car passes over rough spots or bumps in the road the front end stays much more settled and planted. So that's a definite plus, especially if you hit a bump mid curve. I have a curve like that and the front end just stayed really well planted instead of pushing or drifting.

As far as cornering goes, it does help with the cornering ability but only when you are really pushing the car hard. Under normal cornering you are not likely to notice the difference unless you hit a bump as you traverse the corner. I pushed it really hard into a sharp curve and sure enough the front end really held the road quite well. So much so that what you will notice more than anything is that play in the back as opposed to the grip in the front. The front stays so settled during hard cornering now that it really draws attention to the flex in the back.

I had the tires squealing as as I exited the corner and I could feel the flex in the back end but it never fishtailed or tried to swap ends on me. The front was absolutely solid all the way through. So that tells me that my next mod will be the rear X-Brace behind the back seat. The reality is that you're just not going to drive your car like that all the time but when you do you'll be glad you have the brace.

For normal day to day driving the big advantage will be that fact that the front just doesn't bounce, drift or push over uneven or rough spots in the road as it does without the brace. So that alone makes it worth the price to me. Most of the time you won't feel any difference at all but when you need it to make a difference it does. That's probably the best way to sum it up.

Some other shots of my car.








PS, thanks going out to the folks at American Muscle for getting that item to me within a week and free shipping is nice.

 

Heres the real question.. would you buy it again?

 

I would actually. The fact that it helps keep the front end settled over the rough spots makes it worth it to me so yes I would buy it again. Also I plan to add the rear X-Brace and replace the stock shocks and struts with something a little stiffer, probably Koni's. I figure the combinations of those things will really enhance the handling characteristics of the car. Along with that I could always add upgraded sway bars, big beefy control arms and a nice solid panhard bar.

 

I would second that. I have one on mine, plus everything listed below installed.

 

Nice setup autonut.

 

Nice review and very nice ride!

 

Agreed, very good review!

 

Don't you find those too firm since you don't have the weight of the 5.4 or 5.8 with blower up front?

 

Thanks guys. I wanted to give an honest review, no BS. I hate it when people do that.

 

Thanks

Not at all, it rides tight and runs like it is on a rail. No more floating on a marshmallow feeling.


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Not only does the strut tower brace give you some performance but it gives you some nice aesthetics under the hood

 

Love the review 3point7,


We appreciate a genuine and honest review and what I just read is a great example!

I'm glad you are loving the brace even though something like a strut tower brace is not a night and day difference like you said.

On top of it helping with handling, you have to admit it looks awesome! .

Keep up the good work, the car is looking great!

Let me know if you need anything.

- Will

 

my car came with one from the factory....NBD

 

No problem Will. I'll be getting the Steeda X-Brace that fits behind the back seat next so we will see how the two braces work together.


PS, by the way Will, just a suggestion. You guys might want to include the torque specification for the shock tower nuts in your instructions on the website. The included instructions in the box didn't have it either. I did some digging around the internet and found a reference that stated 25 foot pounds. Just FYI.

 

3point7,

Thank you for the heads up.

I will definitely take a look into this and see to it that it's added.

Thank you very much.

-Will

 

Love my SR.

 

Strut tower braces have to do something or Ford wouldn't have them 'Standard equipment' on 'all' convertible Mustangs.

 

Love it Tommy!

I see you have some boost there too

How much power are you making?

Keep up the good work!

-Will

 

I could see it being standard equipment on a convertible. Once you cut the top off of a car and it's going to flex a lot more.

 

There's enormous stress on the strut towers particularly on corner carving. Plus the weight of the engine puts the balance forward. Regardless of coupe or vert. Want a more precise line where you can throttle steer better without mushy mushy? Need a strut tower brace.