Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: FLYN83BIRD on April 13, 2007, 11:37:44 AM

Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: FLYN83BIRD on April 13, 2007, 11:37:44 AM
I am wondering if a strut tower brace from a fox body mustang will work on my 83 Bird.  If anyone has done this or knows if it works please let me know.  Thank You!
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Chuck W on April 13, 2007, 12:05:36 PM
Yes...the engine bay is the same as the Fox Mustang.  If it will fit a Mustang with the same engine, it will fit the Tbird.
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: 84 Fila on April 13, 2007, 12:07:44 PM
How much would it help the cars out?
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: FLYN83BIRD on April 13, 2007, 12:54:10 PM
Cool thanks Chuck.  84 Fila, the answer to your question is that by putting a strut tower brace in the front you strenghten the your front end by having the brace take some of the releif from cornering.  See the strut towers beleive it or not do move a little bit and by putting the brace in it helps to aleviate some of that stress.  There is a company that is called Total Control that makes a really nice brace kit for early Mustangs.  I have not found that brace for a Fox Body car.  Wish I could.  If you get a chance go do a search on Total Control and look at the brace.  It kicks but.
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: 84 Fila on April 13, 2007, 02:03:13 PM
Ok, will ANY brace for a fox stang work? I know steeda has one and I'm sure every other stang company has them
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Chuck W on April 13, 2007, 02:08:02 PM
http://www.turbochuck.com/images/Tbird/Breather_2.jpg

It's an older brace that not "ideal" as it doesn't attach to the pinchweld, but it's better than nothing.  I've had it forever.  Original application 86-93 EFI Mustang.

When I get time to do what I want to the front suspension, I'll make a different one.
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Red_LX on April 13, 2007, 02:34:18 PM
I have a maximum motorsports STB. It's schweet.
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Beau on April 13, 2007, 06:03:30 PM
There was also a brace under the K member on some vert Mustangs, IIRC...would that work on our Foxes, I wonder?
(Least, I'm sure I remember reading about this "k member brace")

maybe i'm wrong, and need some sense knocked into me :beatyoass:
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Chuck W on April 13, 2007, 06:41:57 PM
Quote from: FordTruckFreeek;139890
There was also a brace under the K member on some vert Mustangs, IIRC...would that work on our Foxes, I wonder?
(Least, I'm sure I remember reading about this "k member brace")



The spacing on the lower K-member to chassis attachement points are different between the two cars....thus they don't work.
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Beau on April 13, 2007, 06:57:09 PM
Quote from: Chuck W;139902
The spacing on the lower K-member to chassis attachement points are different between the two cars....thus they don't work.

I'd kinda guessed that might be the case, since aftermarket Stang tube K-members need "modded" to fit...

Hmmm, if someone made a "k-brace for our cars, wonder how many folks would be interested, besides me...;)
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Blackout on April 13, 2007, 08:55:01 PM
I wonder chuck, is there a brace that i can use on my 88 turbo with the intercooler in the stock location?  The one you pictured looks like it might not fit with the stock top moun IC.
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Chuck W on April 13, 2007, 08:56:12 PM
Nope, the issue you run into on the 87-88TC is the ductwork for the IC...
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Red_LX on April 13, 2007, 10:46:43 PM
Um, chuck, I have a MM 2-point K-member brace (for an '87-93) on my car. All I had to do was drill the holes out (to 7/8" I believe).

TC's have a factory K-member brace but it's pretty py.

Now, the 4 point brace for the Fox Mustang doesn't fit, I know this firsthand. It almost looks like one for an SN95 would fit, but I didn't want to spend $100+ to find out if it did or not.

Also the hood ducting can be kept in place with a STB, and functional, with a little creative cutting and gluing. Mine's still in my car.
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: V8Demon on April 13, 2007, 11:09:40 PM
Quote
Um, chuck, I have a MM 2-point K-member brace (for an '87-93) on my car. All I had to do was drill the holes out (to 7/8" I believe).


SHOW US!:hick:
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Chuck W on April 14, 2007, 12:58:08 AM
A 2-point is totally different from a 4-point which I was talking about....so...ummmm....you're not comparing the same things.

The SN-95 ones don't fit either.
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Red_LX on April 14, 2007, 01:23:50 AM
Well you can't say "k-member brace" without specifying since they DO make two and four point versions.

And I said the four point one doesn't fit. :dunno: I wasn't comparing them either. Not sure what you're talking about.
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Chuck W on April 14, 2007, 09:24:29 AM
Well I guess since to me the "real" ones are 4-point, then that's what I'm always refering to.  2-point ones help some, but nothing near what a 4-point would.

Basing from that, the Mustang ones do not fit the Tbirds/Cougars.

A 2-point one is easy to make.  A 4 requires more work and would be different between engines.  I know that even if the mounting points had been the same, one (4-point) for a 5.0 would not fit a 2.3.
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Red_LX on April 14, 2007, 12:10:32 PM
Why not?

I had one on my 2.3L Mustang (yes, I know, different car)
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Chuck W on April 14, 2007, 01:49:55 PM
Whose?  2 or 4 point?
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: vinnietbird on April 14, 2007, 03:54:41 PM
Would one work on a 5.0 car?
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Chuck W on April 14, 2007, 04:39:37 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;140030
Would one work on a 5.0 car?


Not if it's a 4-point that attaches to the rear K-member mounts...
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: vinnietbird on April 14, 2007, 04:57:17 PM
What about the one in the pic you posted?Bolts to the cowl and the front of the strut towers.
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Chuck W on April 14, 2007, 05:12:36 PM
Sorry Vinnie...this thread has split into STB's and K-member braces...I thought you were asking about the K-member braces.

Like I mentioned in my first post in this thread...the engine bays are the same between the two cars.  If it will fit a Fox Mustang w/ the same engine, it will fit a Fox Tbird....
Title: Strut Tower Brace ?
Post by: Red_LX on April 15, 2007, 12:43:39 PM
Quote from: Chuck W;140006
Whose?  2 or 4 point?


Maximum Motorsports 4-point.