[FASTNUF]

Just finished installing the BMR model STB020 strut tower brace this evening on my 2017 ZL1 convertible. I have not yet driven the car as the weather got bad / raining now, but suppose to clear up tomorrow and I hope to get some miles down to see if I notice anything different. To be honest, not really expecting much because car chassis is tight and I even get 1 wheel off the ground driving in & out of my driveway.
Really bought it more for aesthetics, the car without it feels solid with no flex.

It did rub/hit my hood underneath on first install and had to move it around / adjust it, but as for now, seems ok. Hoping no issues once I start driving.
Here's what I learned on my install, hopefully it can help others - I originally centered the brackets around the strut using the inner circle as a guide. Tighten everything up, close the hood and it rubbed/hit on the right side. See the pic.

I loosened everything back up, moved the brackets "off center" closer towards the firewall. See the pic. Tightened everything back up, and seems to fit. Again, still need to drive to see if anything rubs / hits, etc.

I bought it from Dynosteve at RDP Store, fast shipping, best deal on the planet! All my transactions with him have been excellent, great forum supplier!

[kttxz06]

U r n my neck of the woods. We need to exchange info so we can meet up and roll out some nights.

[FASTNUF]

Originally Posted by kttxz06

U r n my neck of the woods. We need to exchange info so we can meet up and roll out some nights.

Yeah, Cinco Ranch area. Usually don't get much driving until weekends as my job keeps me busy all week long, but have met others from the forum up at the new Buc'ees on occasion. Not my DD, but if the weather is good, I try to take some runs when I can.

[kwav8r]

Did you get a chance to drive today? Curious if you found any noticeable increased stiffness in the steering.

Install looks good, curious as to how you moved it though to keep from impacting the hood.

[Tachitup]

Originally Posted by dynosteve

great install pics and thankyou for your business sir

Has BRM fixed the improper design so the bar doesn't hit the hood ?

[FASTNUF]

Originally Posted by kwav8r

Did you get a chance to drive today? Curious if you found any noticeable increased stiffness in the steering.

Install looks good, curious as to how you moved it though to keep from impacting the hood.

Well - it rubbed again after the first drive! Crap!! See the picture, damn it! I checked after a short city 3 mile drive and saw the new rub mark. I then drove another 40+ miles with some quick accelerations runs from dead starts to see if that would do anymore rub / damage. Looked like a slightly more rubbing happened. The picture is after about my complete drive.

As for your question on how I moved the brackets, the 3 bolt holes are oversized and I slid them as far as I could in the opposite direction to see if I could get the cross bar more into the hood indention for more clearance. I guess the next possible move may be to make the holes in the brackets oblong of sorts to drop the bar slightly more on that side. Figure if I could gain an 1/8" that would be more than enough. Just need to make sure that as I get closer to the blower lid that I maintain enough room there as well. Or I guess I could return it, not sure just yet. It's not my DD, so I think I will ask Pete at BMR if making the bracket holes slightly oblong will hurt anything first or if he has any suggestions.

[Wtgrantham]

Why bother with it? What’s to be gained? Frame is stiff already

[FASTNUF]

I agree with you, as I stated at the beginning, it was more for aesthetics. I think it kind of finishes the engine compartment off for ME after I added the Rotofab CAI. I took it through the same curves that I normally play on and I don't believe I gain much if any at all. Again, I agree the 6Gen Vert is very stiff from the factory.

I will see what I want to do next later this week...

[LS6-M22]

Originally Posted by Wtgrantham

Why bother with it? What’s to be gained? Frame is stiff already

If this is true why does GM install one on the SS convertibles?

[rjacobs]

Is the bar solid or hollow? I cant remember from the other thread.

If its solid, put a semi heavy chamfer on the edge where its rubbing... Might need to take it somewhere with a mill to do a nice job along the entire edge, or just take a tiny bit away with a dremel and then finish it with some fine grit sand paper.

That is if you want to keep it.

[kwav8r]

Originally Posted by FASTNUF

Well - it rubbed again after the first drive! Crap!! See the picture, damn it! I checked after a short city 3 mile drive and saw the new rub mark. I then drove another 40+ miles with some quick accelerations runs from dead starts to see if that would do anymore rub / damage. Looked like a slightly more rubbing happened. The picture is after about my complete drive.

As for your question on how I moved the brackets, the 3 bolt holes are oversized and I slid them as far as I could in the opposite direction to see if I could get the cross bar more into the hood indention for more clearance. I guess the next possible move may be to make the holes in the brackets oblong of sorts to drop the bar slightly more on that side. Figure if I could gain an 1/8" that would be more than enough. Just need to make sure that as I get closer to the blower lid that I maintain enough room there as well. Or I guess I could return it, not sure just yet. It's not my DD, so I think I will ask Pete at BMR if making the bracket holes slightly oblong will hurt anything first or if he has any suggestions.

If you really just want the aesthetics of it you could likely achieve enough clearance by elongating the holes but, it may just allow the bar to move around.

The BMR folks likely need to manufacture a narrower bar - after all it isn't providing much in the way of stiffening the suspension.

[Wtgrantham]

Originally Posted by LS6-M22

If this is true why does GM install one on the SS convertibles?

No idea, but I went from an 11 SS Convertible to an 18 ZL1 Convertible the 11 had plenty of flex the 18 drives like a coupe, the difference is amazing.

[Ricco]

Originally Posted by FASTNUF

I agree with you, as I stated at the beginning, it was more for aesthetics. I think it kind of finishes the engine compartment off for ME after I added the Rotofab CAI. I took it through the same curves that I normally play on and I don't believe I gain much if any at all. Again, I agree the 6Gen Vert is very stiff from the factory.

I will see what I want to do next later this week...

Where are these curves you speak of? Around here, I can't find much of anything besides long ass straights, sometimes with tiny kinks in them, at best.

[FASTNUF]

Originally Posted by rjacobs

Is the bar solid or hollow? I cant remember from the other thread.

If its solid, put a semi heavy chamfer on the edge where its rubbing... Might need to take it somewhere with a mill to do a nice job along the entire edge, or just take a tiny bit away with a dremel and then finish it with some fine grit sand paper.

That is if you want to keep it.

It's a hollow bar. Thinking if I elongate that one bracket, probably be fine. Going to take the week to think about it.