I have started my "Chassis Stiffening" project and thought I would post some pics:

Part 1:
Shelby Parts Rear Strut Tower Brace....weight 4lbs 15oz
GREAT looking piece! I was able to mount my Halguard onto it just like I had planned without any issues!
(For those who don't know, when getting a car extinguisher don't skimp on the cheap ones.....get the clean agent type!!)

Part 2: (not yet installed)
Hotchkis X-Brace will be going on tomorrow.... It only weights 7lb 15oz.

More pics on my website here:
http://dougkoal.wix.com/stanglife#!home/mainPage

 

nice keep us posted

 

Nice project. Check out our chassis stiffening products and let me know if I can help you with anything: http://www.steeda.com/store/ford-mus...tiffening.html

 

Doug, let me know when you put that brace on.

 

Why do you want to make things stiffer? The s197 platform is already extremely stiff. This is like people who want a super firm ride? Why? If the car is bouncing all over the road how do you expect it to drive properly? Same thing with too tight of a chasis. There has to be some flex.

 

????

 

Thanks Jason...got it put on today.

 

my initial driving impressions are that these mods have made the car "smoother" feeling. (Really the only way to describe it). Less vibrations/shifting...car feels more planted. I like 'em.

 

Did you have to add the rear mounting brackets TK? Looks like a nice piece.

 

No mounting brackets were needed.
Im guessing your talking about the brackets inside the rear wheel well next to the shock!? I have seen these used on a few other STBs but not on this one.

 

Hey, everything looks great. Does the Hotchkis K-member brace replace an existing brace, or is that area devoid of any bracing from the factory?

 

no I was talking about the front x brace in the last pictures you posted.

 

ummmm

 

Yes it replaces the "pencil" brace that goes between the two mounting points that the Hotchkis piece mounts to. This new brace uses the existing point for that stock brace and then adds the extra two mounting point on the unibody frame either side of the trans.

 

See my opost above this one...should answer the question. I hope.
But no additional brackets were needed, just two spacers for mount the rearward two mounting points.

After more testing I can say I really like this piece...made a noticeable driving difference Id say.

 

Now this I like. See here you have this big three sided tube and adding that Hotchkis x brace closes the bottom making it a full four sided tube. This will make a significant stiffening of the front around the firewall. They need to make it extend all the way back to the rear end.

 

I need to make me one of these

 

Lol sorry. Go on the griggs website. No one knows s197 chasis suspension better than them and they talk about why further chasis stiffening actually doesn't benefit the s197 platform and is a waste of money.

 

Ford did a great job on making a stiffer chassis on the S197 as compared to the previous generation, yes. However, there is most certainly room for improvement.

 

I agree but it isn't about throwing parts that worked on the older cars onto the new car. X bracing under the drive tunnel makes terrific engineering sense for a street car. Nothing beats a full cage and anybody who is really serious puts in a cage.