GM 1LE strut tower brace installed - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

jravenfan · 12-21-2013, 03:37 AM

I should have asked for on for Christmas,

kmm1412 · 12-21-2013, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamEL

My buddy said I should get one. Can anyone link me to an adapter that I'd need for my 2010 SS, please?

Here you go...

http://www.tpis.com/parts/view/267

Used it for mine and worked great!!!

Check My Garage for pix...

PalmerGA · 12-21-2013, 05:12 AM

So, can anyone tell me why GM engineers feel the convertibles need a strut brace but coupes do not? I have searched (and read) some other threads on this and I understand the horizontal stiffening provided by the brace, but why does the convertible come standard with one and not the coupes? Is there really that much additional "flex" in the suspension without the hard roof/pillars of the coupe being present? Just curious.

TheHorse13 · 12-21-2013, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Is there really that much additional "flex" in the suspension without the hard roof/pillars of the coupe being present?

There is enough flex to require a strut brace. A V8 with a lot of torque can twist a frame pretty quickly.

USCAMARO14 · 12-21-2013, 05:55 AM

I got to say you do feel the difference in turns. Looks good!

RollaMo · 12-21-2013, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PalmerGA

So, can anyone tell me why GM engineers feel the convertibles need a strut brace but coupes do not? I have searched (and read) some other threads on this and I understand the horizontal stiffening provided by the brace, but why does the convertible come standard with one and not the coupes? Is there really that much additional "flex" in the suspension without the hard roof/pillars of the coupe being present? Just curious.

Yes, since the convertibles don't have a top they inherently have more "flex" than a coupe would.
This is true for just about any convertible, not just the camaro.

This brace helps in keeping the body a little more rigid during cornering.

Just normal straight line driving, you won't notice any difference.
It is when you push the car to its limits where the difference between a coupe and convertible would be noticed.

Look at the undercarriage of each and you will see the convertible has additional bracing there also.

Frank in MD · 12-21-2013, 10:28 AM

In addition to the strut tower brace, the vert also has a reinforced trans tunnel brace and extra steel under the rear seats for more stiffness and rigidity that the coupes also do not have.

wayne watson · 12-21-2013, 10:30 AM

Very nice that's next on my list also

PalmerGA · 12-21-2013, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHorse13

There is enough flex to require a strut brace. A V8 with a lot of torque can twist a frame pretty quickly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollaMo

Yes, since the convertibles don't have a top they inherently have more "flex" than a coupe would.
This is true for just about any convertible, not just the camaro.

This brace helps in keeping the body a little more rigid during cornering.

Just normal straight line driving, you won't notice any difference.
It is when you push the car to its limits where the difference between a coupe and convertible would be noticed.

Look at the undercarriage of each and you will see the convertible has additional bracing there also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank in MD

In addition to the strut tower brace, the vert also has a reinforced trans tunnel brace and extra steel under the rear seats for more stiffness and rigidity that the coupes also do not have.

Thank you, gentlemen. I appreciate the answers. I heard many times over the years that convertibles (in general) are heavier than their coupe counterparts. I guess the extra metal underneath to make up for the lack of metal (roof, etc.) up top.

heymatt · 12-21-2013, 02:11 PM

On a uni body car the body is the main structure. Front and rear subframes attach the suspension and drive train to the body. Cut the roof off and you lose the structiral integrity of the body. Hence the need for the additional bracing under the convertible, the tower brace is just part of the bracing needed to control flexing of the body.

AdamEL · 12-21-2013, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmm1412

Here you go...

http://www.tpis.com/parts/view/267

Used it for mine and worked great!!!

Check My Garage for pix...

Awesome!! Thank you so much for posting this. Funny how the bracket kit is just as much as the strut tower brace itself. Did you install it yourself, or is this a, "leave it to the pros" kind of mod?

DwRed1LTV6 · 12-22-2013, 10:26 AM

Congrats on the Strut Bar

I got mine from GmPartsDirect as well !

Congrats on the 10,000th post xVengeancex28 ! !

the_fast_one · 12-22-2013, 11:56 AM

I I'd that and zl1 sway bars and lowerin springs at the same. Def a good lookin mod. I had mine powder coated black.

montreal2010yellow · 12-22-2013, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamEL

Awesome!! Thank you so much for posting this. Funny how the bracket kit is just as much as the strut tower brace itself. Did you install it yourself, or is this a, "leave it to the pros" kind of mod?

I would suggest to leave to a Pro. My mechanic was very surprised when he drilled the towers to install my Hotchkis. You need a very high quality air drill to do the job.

12-21-2013, 03:37 AM	#15
jravenfan Drives: 2013 2SS Blue Ray Metallic Join Date: May 2013 Location: Eldersburg MD Posts: 377	I should have asked for on for Christmas, __________________

12-21-2013, 05:12 AM	#17
PalmerGA Drives: 2013 SIM 1SS/RS L99 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southwest GA Posts: 8,755 View My Garage	So, can anyone tell me why GM engineers feel the convertibles need a strut brace but coupes do not? I have searched (and read) some other threads on this and I understand the horizontal stiffening provided by the brace, but why does the convertible come standard with one and not the coupes? Is there really that much additional "flex" in the suspension without the hard roof/pillars of the coupe being present? Just curious. __________________ 2013 1SS/RS Coupe L99, Stainless Power Works LT Headers, SCT X4 Custom Tune from RDP, CAI Inc. Air Intake w/ Apex Scoop, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body, Solo Axle-Back Exhaust w/ J-pipes, Apex Catch Can, Husky Splash Guards, Heritage Grille, 3D Carbon Rear Spoiler, Oracle Chrome Turn Signal Bulbs, GM Reverse Light Trim Billets, Gorilla Black Locking Lugs, Emblem Pros Retro SS Badges/Custom Retro SS Kickplates/Under-hood Bowtie, 35% window Tint, Nitto Motivo Tires (6-8-18)

12-21-2013, 10:28 AM	#21
Frank in MD Raining Blood Drives: 2014 SS Performance Sedan Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: facebook Posts: 2,683	In addition to the strut tower brace, the vert also has a reinforced trans tunnel brace and extra steel under the rear seats for more stiffness and rigidity that the coupes also do not have. __________________ Ordered 1/9/12 - Born 2/3/12 - Delivered 2/21/12 - '12 1SS/RS Summit White - TRADED. 2014 SS Performance Sedan #2974 - Red Hot 2 - S/R. & Spare. Built 01/09/14 #238 of 291 as configured

12-21-2013, 02:11 PM	#24
heymatt Drives: 2012 IBM 2SS Vert. Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tequesta, Fl. Posts: 784	On a uni body car the body is the main structure. Front and rear subframes attach the suspension and drive train to the body. Cut the roof off and you lose the structiral integrity of the body. Hence the need for the additional bracing under the convertible, the tower brace is just part of the bracing needed to control flexing of the body. __________________ LS3/M6 K&N, VMAX throttle body, RX Catch Can, skip shift eliminator, DT shorties and Solo HFC, DRL harness and 5K LED DRL, ZL1 rear sway, 1LE front sway

12-22-2013, 10:26 AM	#26
DwRed1LTV6 Drives: '11 VR 2LT HHr Join Date: May 2011 Location: Gateway to the West Posts: 2,721	Congrats on the Strut Bar I got mine from GmPartsDirect as well ! Congrats on the 10,000th post xVengeancex28 ! ! __________________ 2011 Hhr Formerly known as Silver85IrocZ !!

12-21-2013, 05:55 AM	#19
USCAMARO14 Drives: 2LS 2014 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Staten ISland Posts: 3,404	I got to say you do feel the difference in turns. Looks good!

12-21-2013, 10:30 AM	#22
wayne watson Drives: 2014 camaro ss ,1967 chevelle ss, Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: loganville Posts: 1,209 View My Garage	Very nice that's next on my list also

12-22-2013, 11:56 AM	#27
the_fast_one Drives: 2017 red hot zl1 Join Date: May 2012 Location: IL Posts: 857	I I'd that and zl1 sway bars and lowerin springs at the same. Def a good lookin mod. I had mine powder coated black. __________________ 2017 ZL1 built by GPI. Way to many mods to list 855rwhp/720rwtq