I also posted this on AFM)
Can someone confirm that the Strut Tower Brace (in the engine compartment) is there in the GT &/or V6 CONVERTIBLE. I know it is part of the Brembo pkg. but I am specifically asking if it is part of all convertibles, regardless of wheel size?

Thanks

 

I read, 'all convertibles' come with a strut tower brace from the factory.

 

Where did you read that? Does anyone have a convertible w/o the Brembo's to confirm?

 

Heard the same think about verts coming with the brace. If not you can get one from the resident dealer parts man here KC. Last I heard it was running around 125ish but prices might have changed. Got one in the garage waiting for my car lol.

 

Part of stiffening the convertibles for '11 was making the STB standard equipment for every convertible.

 

Not just on brembo cars but any car with 19" wheels.

 

My V6 vert did come with the brace....wasn't expecting it, but it is there.

 

Does that mean it isn't needed or doesn't help on Coupes with 18" wheels?

I like the idea of it and, since it's pretty cheap and easy, it's on my short list of mods . . . but if there is no point with 18" wheels, I'll skip it.

 

Newb here. What are the benefits of a strut tower?

 

Thanks everyone...

 

It does seem a bit odd that having a strut tower brace installed correlates with having 19" wheels on the GT coupes. There wouldn't seem to be any functional relationship between the two. My guess is it has something to do with how the line operates or how the cost of the strut tower brace is managed. Or perhaps through study, they have determined that there is a correlation between customers getting upgraded wheels and customers wanting a strut tower brace.

 

Strut Tower Brace (aka STB) is a bar that connects the two front strut towers. It stiffens the front end by making the two struts act together like a big box, rather than flexing separately. You can see it in a lot of the pictures, under the hood over the engine.

I read somewhere that they are needed with the 19" wheels because the 19" wheels act stiffer (more wheel / less tire) and put more load on the struts and suspension.

Also it is needed on the convertible because the whole chassis flexes more because there is no hard roof between the corners.

I would think it would be a good thing with the 18" wheels also; maybe not as much needed; they used them on the 08-09 Bullitt, which had 18" wheels, so it must be good.

 

It's not necessarily needed, but more and more cars are coming with them from the factory. Not just performance cars either. It made a noticeable difference in my 2000; I would add one to any car that didn't come with them, unless you are drag racing.