METAL BAR UNDER THE HOOD??? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Ramblewood98 · 10-18-2013, 11:22 AM

Does anyone know why there is a bar reaching from one side of the engine compartment to the other...I have never seen this in any car I have ever owned...is it a camaro thing?? I will try to take pictures after work...I don't see it on any of the pictures you guys take and was wondering if it's needed...can't stand the way it looks when I look under the hood...any help would be appreciated thanks

Ringo64 · 10-18-2013, 11:24 AM

Is it the bar going strut to strut across the engine? It's for better handling and keeping the car stiffer. If you haven't owned a performance car, I doubt you would have had it before. People pay good money for these strut tower braces and for most other cars are a desired mod.

EDIT: IS this what you're talking about:

tramtwo · 10-18-2013, 11:26 AM

Standard on the vert you have... it adds some rigidity back to the car. The 'tower brace' is also added to the performance models for a tad better handling.

FenwickHockey65 · 10-18-2013, 11:30 AM

The strut tower brace? Most people love those.

Angrybird 12 · 10-18-2013, 11:32 AM

DON'T REMOVE IT! It stiffens up the car along with underbody bracing you cannot see to help where there is no hard top to strengthen the body. If it was not there the windshield frame would shake and shimmy like a hula dancer every time you hit a bump.
I think they enhance the under hood appearance myself.

Bodih · 10-18-2013, 11:52 AM

The Camaro body was designed to be rigid enough as a convertible, but the additional bracing was added to handle the performance owners may demand of the car. You may not notice a difference right away after removing it, but over time, it can effect how the convertible body flexes. Eventually, your hood lines and doors may not line up the same with your fenders. It can also effect how the car shutters over rougher roads.
It's part of being a performance car. You should be glad it has the brace. It's unfortunate Chevy didn't make it look like a finished part of the car. If you don't like the looks, dress it up. I polished the center and painted the ends, then added LEDs under it to light up the engine.

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Ramblewood98 · 10-18-2013, 11:52 AM

Wow,you guys don't mess around when it comes to answering posts...Thanks Ringo for the pic,that's exactly what I was looking at...This is my first sports car/convertible so I guess that's why I never saw a bar like that...IMO not very appealing to look at but I will leave it alone on the advise of AB...Really appreciate all the quick responses...This forum is awesome...Thanks again!!!

DFWZ28 · 10-18-2013, 11:53 AM

i need to get one.

Ramblewood98 · 10-18-2013, 11:57 AM

Love the set up Bodih...maybe I'll fix the esthetics with some RY and black paint

Bodih · 10-18-2013, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramblewood98

Love the set up Bodih...maybe I'll fix the esthetics with some RY and black paint

Yeah, it needs some cosmetic adjustments.

Another benefit; since it's hollow, it's an easy way to route wires across the engine bay without being seen.

JDP Sales · 10-18-2013, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramblewood98

Wow,you guys don't mess around when it comes to answering posts...Thanks Ringo for the pic,that's exactly what I was looking at...This is my first sports car/convertible so I guess that's why I never saw a bar like that...IMO not very appealing to look at but I will leave it alone on the advise of AB...Really appreciate all the quick responses...This forum is awesome...Thanks again!!!

Yep its a strut tower brace. If you do not like the look of the factory brace, you should easily be able to sell it for close to the price of an aftermarket brace if you like the look of an aftermarket brace better. That or paint it custom to your liking.

Feel free to call, PM or email me anytime with questions.

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007

Ramblewood98 · 10-18-2013, 12:18 PM

If that bar is my biggest complaint with this car(and it is)then I am way ahead of the game...nice tip about it doubling as wire mold though Bodih

Rocky1974 · 10-18-2013, 07:45 PM

You need to remove it immediately! You can send it to me and I'll dispose of it for you............free of charge!

montreal2010yellow · 10-18-2013, 08:51 PM

Hey I paid some 700$ to purchase and get the installation done to get better handling. You have it for free. Keep it.

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10-18-2013, 11:22 AM	#1
Ramblewood98 Drives: 12' 2LT RS Rally Yellow 'vert Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 63	METAL BAR UNDER THE HOOD??? Does anyone know why there is a bar reaching from one side of the engine compartment to the other...I have never seen this in any car I have ever owned...is it a camaro thing?? I will try to take pictures after work...I don't see it on any of the pictures you guys take and was wondering if it's needed...can't stand the way it looks when I look under the hood...any help would be appreciated thanks

10-18-2013, 11:24 AM	#2
Ringo64 Forever Pontiac Drives: 2012 Black 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 1,389	Is it the bar going strut to strut across the engine? It's for better handling and keeping the car stiffer. If you haven't owned a performance car, I doubt you would have had it before. People pay good money for these strut tower braces and for most other cars are a desired mod. EDIT: IS this what you're talking about: __________________ Progression thread My Camaro's Grrgd

10-18-2013, 11:30 AM	#4
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2020 Colorado Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,371 View My Garage	The strut tower brace? Most people love those. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2020 Chevrolet Colorado W/T Extended Cab (State-issued)

10-18-2013, 11:32 AM	#5
Angrybird 12 7 year Cancer Survivor! Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 21,547	DON'T REMOVE IT! It stiffens up the car along with underbody bracing you cannot see to help where there is no hard top to strengthen the body. If it was not there the windshield frame would shake and shimmy like a hula dancer every time you hit a bump. I think they enhance the under hood appearance myself. __________________ Cancer's a bitch! Enjoy life while you can! LIVE, LOVE, DRIVE... The Bird is the word!

10-18-2013, 11:52 AM	#6
Bodih I Got My Orange Crush Drives: it like I stoles it... Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,079	The Camaro body was designed to be rigid enough as a convertible, but the additional bracing was added to handle the performance owners may demand of the car. You may not notice a difference right away after removing it, but over time, it can effect how the convertible body flexes. Eventually, your hood lines and doors may not line up the same with your fenders. It can also effect how the car shutters over rougher roads. It's part of being a performance car. You should be glad it has the brace. It's unfortunate Chevy didn't make it look like a finished part of the car. If you don't like the looks, dress it up. I polished the center and painted the ends, then added LEDs under it to light up the engine. __________________ My love is in league with the freeway. Its passion will ride, as the cities fly by, and the tail-lights dissolve in the coming of night. And the questions in thousands take flight ~Robert Plant - Big Log~

10-18-2013, 11:26 AM	#3
tramtwo Drives: 2021 1LE Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: N'Awlinz Posts: 6,315	Standard on the vert you have... it adds some rigidity back to the car. The 'tower brace' is also added to the performance models for a tad better handling.

10-18-2013, 11:53 AM	#8
DFWZ28 Drives: 2010 SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Rockwall, TX Posts: 1,605 View My Garage	i need to get one. __________________

10-18-2013, 11:57 AM	#9
Ramblewood98 Drives: 12' 2LT RS Rally Yellow 'vert Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 63	Love the set up Bodih...maybe I'll fix the esthetics with some RY and black paint

10-18-2013, 12:18 PM	#12
Ramblewood98 Drives: 12' 2LT RS Rally Yellow 'vert Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 63	If that bar is my biggest complaint with this car(and it is)then I am way ahead of the game...nice tip about it doubling as wire mold though Bodih

10-18-2013, 07:45 PM	#13
Rocky1974 Drives: 2010 RJT 2SS M6 Camaro Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Garrison,KY Posts: 1,548 View My Garage	You need to remove it immediately! You can send it to me and I'll dispose of it for you............free of charge! __________________ 2010 RJT 2SS M6, Kooks Long Tubes, NPP Exhaust, CAI Cold Air w/Jannetty Scoop, RotoFab Washer Bottle, Elite Engineering Catch Can, MGW Shifter w/ZL1 Shaft and Knob, 2015 SS Sedan Steering Wheel and Air Bag, 2012 Heater Hose Conversion, 2012 Power Seat Conversion, RS Head Lights,Gen5DIY RS Conversion Harness, LED Fog Lamp Bulbs, Backup Camera Kit, NLP Spoiler, SLP Splitter, ZL1 Rockers and Diffuser, Color Matched Shark Fin, RS Roof Mouldings, Painted White Stripes, WCC LS3 Emblems, Heritage Grille and Blacked Out Tail Light Panel w/Retro SS Emblems, 416 RWHP, 411 RWT, Tuned by BlueCat.

10-18-2013, 08:51 PM	#14
montreal2010yellow Drives: 2 LT/RS YELLOW, AUTO., VIN NO. 602 Join Date: May 2010 Location: LAVAL (10 min. north of Montreal), CANADA Posts: 3,526 View My Garage	Hey I paid some 700$ to purchase and get the installation done to get better handling. You have it for free. Keep it. __________________ T2 Facia, ACS TL1 Hood, ACS Winglets. G5CR CAI. Hotchsic Strut Brace and more...