Strut tower brace? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

chuckclanton · 05-09-2015, 05:39 PM

Do they really serve any useful purpose on a coupe?

Firefighter · 05-09-2015, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckclanton

Do they really serve any useful purpose on a coupe?

Most data shows little to no affect.

That being said the factory piece is cheap, light, and good looking. It can't hurt.

I also figure it probably does "something" because GM is less than likely to put something on that has no use. They threw it on the Convertible, ZL1, 1LE and Z/28.

So my opinion is "maybe"... lol

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Bizaro · 05-09-2015, 06:05 PM

track use only where car might flex

habunow1 · 05-09-2015, 06:20 PM

I you drive the local streets like you are on the track.

chuckclanton · 05-09-2015, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firefighter

Most data shows little to no affect.

That being said the factory piece is cheap, light, and good looking. It can't hurt.

I also figure it probably does "something" because GM is less than likely to put something on that has no use. They threw it on the Convertible, ZL1, 1LE and Z/28.

So my opinion is "maybe"... lol

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Wonder why strut braces are not mentioned in "5th Gen Suspension----The Book" ?

Firefighter · 05-09-2015, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckclanton

Wonder why strut braces are not mentioned in "5th Gen Suspension----The Book" ?

Pete feels they are useless. He pretty much knows best. He covers it in some of his original info talking about the development of the 5th Gen.

I can't see it being a negative in any way. It literally weighs 2.5 lbs (guesstimate) and it looks good.

If I had a regular SS it would be the one of last things I bought.

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camguynj · 05-09-2015, 09:23 PM

FWIW the first few days after I installed mine I heard a metal stressing type sound near the moon roof front, so I concluded it was result of the brace tighting the frame up some

krisprz2010camaross · 05-09-2015, 09:47 PM

I remember when I first got the strut brace on before I did any suspension/handling, I noticed that it was more tight when turning on tight corners.

VR Baron · 05-09-2015, 11:15 PM

I put on the stock part. Looks nice and good place to rest your hand when cleaning things...lol Seriously I noticed less vertical movement up front when driving over patched asphalt so must do a little. In auto x I I couldnt tell really

FrostySS · 07-24-2015, 08:33 AM

When I put mine on I beat two Lambo's on the track and I had 35 virgins ask for dates....talk about results!

OK,not really. I don't think it did a thing, looks good though.

luv_freedom · 07-24-2015, 08:38 AM

I like the looks of it. It makes my vert SS more aggressive looking, but it would look much better if it were polished. I'm going to check out places that might be able to do that for me.

Firefighter · 07-24-2015, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrostySS

When I put mine on I beat two Lambo's on the track and I had 35 virgins ask for dates....talk about results!

OK,not really. I don't think it did a thing, looks good though.

That's brilliant... LoL

Firefighter · 07-24-2015, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv_freedom

I like the looks of it. It makes my vert SS more aggressive looking, but it would look much better if it were polished. I'm going to check out places that might be able to do that for me.

If you polish it will become an extra job to maintain it. There are several who have them painted. I just used some chassis black on my center section and left the ends natural. That fits in with my motif though.

JusticePete · 07-28-2015, 11:48 AM

The brace was developed for tuning the MRC on the ZL1. The bar altered the harmonics allowing the engineers to collect more accurate data while tuning the MRC. In terms of function, it adds structure to the vert and the vert needs it. Cutting out the roof removes critical structure.

On street tires, a 5th Gen without a bar will turn in better. The slight flex allows for a dynamic camber change that improves turn in. Te Z/28 DSSV dampers have a very high zero point and the springs are much higher in rate. The trofeos are street legal slicks. The bar helps work the very soft tread of the trofoes.

Those of you on street tires and much softer springs and damping, the strut tower bar looks cool.

This client has been racing for over 30 years. His thinking is that the firewall functions as the strut tower bar behind the struts and the his Z/28 needed a bar in front of the struts so he made one.

05-09-2015, 05:39 PM	#1
chuckclanton Drives: 2021 Camaro 2LT Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Mesquite, Nv. Posts: 490	Strut tower brace? Do they really serve any useful purpose on a coupe?

05-09-2015, 09:47 PM	#8
krisprz2010camaross Drives: 2010 Camaro 2ss/Rs Transformers Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Yorba Linda, California Posts: 1,561	I remember when I first got the strut brace on before I did any suspension/handling, I noticed that it was more tight when turning on tight corners. __________________ YouTube:Krisprz garage Insta:kris__perez & krisprz_garage LS3 conversion Vararam intake(tune model) Kooks LT headers & cats delete Corsa ZL1 3" exhaust RedBarn Racing Tune CMS Stage 3 Cam AFR CNC ported heads MSD Spark plug wires LNC-2000 Launch controller NGK TR6 Spark Plugs 1le strut tower brace-TPIS spacers Nick Williams 102mm throttle body Fast lsxr 102 intake manifold Slp 25% UDP Katech Tensioner Pulley Circle D 3600-3700 multi disk Stall GM 3.91 gears DDS carbon fiber driveshaft ZL1 fuel pump & injectors Flex fuel sensor(91/E85) https://wheelwell.com/kris-perez

07-24-2015, 08:33 AM	#10
FrostySS Drives: 2018 Redline Edition 2SS Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 778	When I put mine on I beat two Lambo's on the track and I had 35 virgins ask for dates....talk about results! OK,not really. I don't think it did a thing, looks good though. __________________ 2018 Redline Edition 2SS- A8, NPP, MRC, Recaro seats, ECS Novi 1500 tuned by EFX, cat deletes, Mighty Mouse Wild CC, GM STB, smoked ZL1 3rd brake light, Xpel XR Black 35% tint all around, Street Scene front splitter, C7 Carbon ZL1 side skirts Drake Muscle Car wicker bill, Adams Polishes Ceramic Coating 2010 Infiniti G37x Sedan for the DD.

07-24-2015, 08:38 AM	#11
luv_freedom Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS RS auto conv. Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Nebraska Posts: 45	Needs to be polished I like the looks of it. It makes my vert SS more aggressive looking, but it would look much better if it were polished. I'm going to check out places that might be able to do that for me.

05-09-2015, 06:05 PM	#3
Bizaro Account Suspended Drives: 2015 Redhot 1LE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Westchester NY Posts: 1,408	track use only where car might flex

05-09-2015, 06:20 PM	#4
habunow1 Drives: 2010 Yellow 2SS, 2011 CG 1LT IPF SC Join Date: May 2011 Location: Beaufort SC Posts: 448 View My Garage	I you drive the local streets like you are on the track.

05-09-2015, 09:23 PM	#7
camguynj Drives: '13 SS/RS LS3 BRM Cammed NPP Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 3,850 View My Garage	FWIW the first few days after I installed mine I heard a metal stressing type sound near the moon roof front, so I concluded it was result of the brace tighting the frame up some

05-09-2015, 11:15 PM	#9
VR Baron SoCal Camaro5 Race Team Drives: 2021 Shadow Grey Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SO CAL Posts: 14,367	I put on the stock part. Looks nice and good place to rest your hand when cleaning things...lol Seriously I noticed less vertical movement up front when driving over patched asphalt so must do a little. In auto x I I couldnt tell really

07-28-2015, 11:48 AM	#14
JusticePete Drives: Camaro Justice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 20,171	The brace was developed for tuning the MRC on the ZL1. The bar altered the harmonics allowing the engineers to collect more accurate data while tuning the MRC. In terms of function, it adds structure to the vert and the vert needs it. Cutting out the roof removes critical structure. On street tires, a 5th Gen without a bar will turn in better. The slight flex allows for a dynamic camber change that improves turn in. Te Z/28 DSSV dampers have a very high zero point and the springs are much higher in rate. The trofeos are street legal slicks. The bar helps work the very soft tread of the trofoes. Those of you on street tires and much softer springs and damping, the strut tower bar looks cool. This client has been racing for over 30 years. His thinking is that the firewall functions as the strut tower bar behind the struts and the his Z/28 needed a bar in front of the struts so he made one.