Anybody have aftermarket tunnel brace? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jeffro · 04-07-2010, 03:08 PM

I am wondering if anybody has an aftermarket tunnel brace(the crossmember bracket by the stock h-pipe)??? I just noticed that the stock crossmember bracket is thin and cheap! Are they worth it?? What is the purpose of them?? If theyre worth it whats a good brand to get??

JM10 · 04-07-2010, 03:27 PM

I have this one from BMR:

JM

Jeffro · 04-07-2010, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JM10

I have this one from BMR:

JM

That looks nice but why did you get it? Whats the purpose of them? Do aftermarket braces really work?? Where did you get that brace and how much did you pay?

lee · 04-07-2010, 04:40 PM

theres a guy here on the forum that made his own and it looked pretty cool

ZZcamaro · 04-07-2010, 04:42 PM

I am using the BMR on my car... as are a couple customers. When you combine it with the Sub-Frame connectors it makes a noticeable difference in chassis stiffness. I recommend it if you plan on adding more HP, or really want to improve rearend traction.

Jeffro · 04-07-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZZcamaro

I am using the BMR on my car... as are a couple customers. When you combine it with the Sub-Frame connectors it makes a noticeable difference in chassis stiffness. I recommend it if you plan on adding more HP, or really want to improve rearend traction.

Whats the difference between the BMR subframe connectors and the Hotchkis chassis brace?? The only difference I see is the price and with the Hotchkis brace you dont have to buy the tunnel brace seperately.

Jeffro · 04-07-2010, 04:50 PM

Is it worth just buying an aftermarket tunnel brace or should I just invest my money in something like the Hotchkis chassis brace?

Fishdadddy · 04-07-2010, 04:54 PM

I'd get the Hotchkis

ZZcamaro · 04-07-2010, 05:35 PM

I would go ahead and use the SFCs and the tunnel brace. The brace itself will not make much of a difference, but the two combined, you will feel the difference.

g-townmach · 04-07-2010, 07:52 PM

I make a CNC machined tunnel brace. Theres a link in my sig to click for pics and more info.

hypurone · 04-07-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishdadddy

I'd get the Hotchkis

+1. I did!!

BMR Suspension · 04-14-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffro

Whats the difference between the BMR subframe connectors and the Hotchkis chassis brace?? The only difference I see is the price and with the Hotchkis brace you dont have to buy the tunnel brace seperately.

BMR is the only company making a subframe connector for the 2010 Camaro. The BMR subframe connector connects the front subframe to the driveshaft tunnel to the rear subframe.

The other chassis brace connects to the rear cradle, not the rear subframe. The problem is that the rear cradle assembly has a bushing between the cradle and the body of the car. As that bushing flexes, the chassis brace flexes as well.

At BMR, we feel that the best way to stiffen the chassis is to connect the subframe connector from one solid point (front subframe) to another solid point (rear subframe). Even better if you can connect to a 3rd solid point (driveshaft tunnel). Other companies stiffen the chassis by connecting a solid point to a flexible point.

By the way, the BMR piece is $150-$200 less expensive as well.

Ivan @ Southwest Speed · 04-14-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g-townmach

I make a CNC machined tunnel brace. Theres a link in my sig to click for pics and more info.

Best one out in my opinion.

Still trying to get one but every week or so something "more important" pops up. lmao

Heard nothing but great from his products and he's a C5 guy....why wouldn't you want to give him the business first?!!

Good luck,
Ivan

axis · 04-14-2010, 03:00 PM

If you're asking if JUST a aftermarket tunnel brace is worth it, IMO, no. The forces on it are lateral and the stock plate works ok, for what it is. Yes if you take it off, you can flex it easily, but bolt it up and try it again. It doesn't bend at all. The "humps" molded into it give it more rigidity. A full chassis brace is the best way to go and I think you have to go aftermarket tunnel brace or modify the stock one for use with the BMR brace. Both the BMR and Hotchkis have their strengths. I like that the Hotchkis is no lower than the lowest point already on the car. The BMR does drop down a little but it's not massively significant. If your car is lowered or going to be lowered, this could possibly be an issue.

04-07-2010, 03:08 PM	#1
Jeffro Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS 6M Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Woodridge,IL Posts: 57	Anybody have aftermarket tunnel brace? I am wondering if anybody has an aftermarket tunnel brace(the crossmember bracket by the stock h-pipe)??? I just noticed that the stock crossmember bracket is thin and cheap! Are they worth it?? What is the purpose of them?? If theyre worth it whats a good brand to get?? __________________ Halltech cold air intake ARH long tube headers 1 7/8 3" exhaust no cats Borla S type mufflers Diablosport tune

04-07-2010, 03:27 PM	#2
JM10 Se habla español Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS VR Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Arizona/Sonora Posts: 605	I have this one from BMR: JM __________________ 2010 VR 2SS/RS BMR Suspension Parts Hendrix HD Axles DSS Aluminum Shaft RPM Diff / 3.91 Gears LPE ZR1 Clutch Edelbrock E-Force SC / JRE Fuel Upgrade Livernois 1C cam 570 rwhp/559 rwtq SAE Best 1/4 time: 11.43

04-07-2010, 04:50 PM	#7
Jeffro Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS 6M Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Woodridge,IL Posts: 57	Is it worth just buying an aftermarket tunnel brace or should I just invest my money in something like the Hotchkis chassis brace? __________________ Halltech cold air intake ARH long tube headers 1 7/8 3" exhaust no cats Borla S type mufflers Diablosport tune

04-07-2010, 07:52 PM	#10
g-townmach I FARTED Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: cen-tex Posts: 870	I make a CNC machined tunnel brace. Theres a link in my sig to click for pics and more info. __________________

04-14-2010, 03:00 PM	#14
axis Search Ninja Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Ark Posts: 7,183	If you're asking if JUST a aftermarket tunnel brace is worth it, IMO, no. The forces on it are lateral and the stock plate works ok, for what it is. Yes if you take it off, you can flex it easily, but bolt it up and try it again. It doesn't bend at all. The "humps" molded into it give it more rigidity. A full chassis brace is the best way to go and I think you have to go aftermarket tunnel brace or modify the stock one for use with the BMR brace. Both the BMR and Hotchkis have their strengths. I like that the Hotchkis is no lower than the lowest point already on the car. The BMR does drop down a little but it's not massively significant. If your car is lowered or going to be lowered, this could possibly be an issue. __________________ 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Halltech CF 102 fed GPI modded intake manifold Bo (knows) White ported TB Kooks LT's/ Dynomax VT Pfadted (springs/sways) Dyno tuned by Rhino and GPI I once parallel parked a train.

04-07-2010, 04:40 PM	#4
lee Drives: 2010 2ss/rs Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 1,016	theres a guy here on the forum that made his own and it looked pretty cool

04-07-2010, 04:42 PM	#5
ZZcamaro Drives: 2SS w/ ZZ427 Package!! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,700	I am using the BMR on my car... as are a couple customers. When you combine it with the Sub-Frame connectors it makes a noticeable difference in chassis stiffness. I recommend it if you plan on adding more HP, or really want to improve rearend traction.

04-07-2010, 04:54 PM	#8
Fishdadddy Drives: 2010 2SS/RS ; 1970 Firebird Formula Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 1,252 View My Garage	I'd get the Hotchkis

04-07-2010, 05:35 PM	#9
ZZcamaro Drives: 2SS w/ ZZ427 Package!! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,700	I would go ahead and use the SFCs and the tunnel brace. The brace itself will not make much of a difference, but the two combined, you will feel the difference.

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