Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: Superbird88 on December 09, 2010, 09:24:05 PM

Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: Superbird88 on December 09, 2010, 09:24:05 PM
Does anybody know of a good strut tower brace for the fox body T-Bird?  I see them all over for the mustang but the Mustang has a shorter wheel base and I'd assume a shorter distance between the struts.  If there isn't a company that manufactures one for the bird, does anybody know of someone that can fabricate one for a decent price?  Thanks in advance.
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: vinnietbird on December 09, 2010, 09:27:49 PM
The Stang braces (Fox) should it. I have a Kenny Brown strut tower brace on my Sport.

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/Vinnietbird/DSCF8432.jpg)
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: Chuck W on December 09, 2010, 09:30:28 PM
The wheelbase has absolutely nothing to do with a strut tower brace.  The engine bays on the Fox TBirds are dimensionally the same as the Fox Mustangs.

Base fitment on the engine you have in the car.
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: Bob on December 09, 2010, 09:30:35 PM
I've used a fox body stang brace for 79-93 stang it fit fine on my 88 Tbird.  If your looking for one that fits with cc plates that's a different story I know there's a couple of guys on the board with braces and cc plates just can't remember the details.
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: thewestie on December 09, 2010, 10:35:16 PM
Has anyone done it with a carb was wondering about clearance issues?
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: Coldcougar on December 09, 2010, 10:42:15 PM
i would be interested if it would fit with a carb too^
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: vinnietbird on December 09, 2010, 11:44:00 PM
Id bet that if it'll fit with that huge upper intake,an air cleaner wouldn't really be much of an issue.
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: daminc on December 10, 2010, 07:48:31 AM
Quote from: vinnietbird;345180
Id bet that if it'll fit with that huge upper intake,an air cleaner wouldn't really be much of an issue.
I would have to agree with this
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: Chuck W on December 10, 2010, 08:11:13 AM
Quote from: thewestie;345170
Has anyone done it with a carb was wondering about clearance issues?

Not much of an issue, unless you're using the old factory twin snorkel one with the huge air cleaner (the 83-85 5.0 Mustangs).  We had a special one for those.
In your case, more of an issue would be the 351.  Depending on where the front bar goes, you may or may not have clearance between it and the dist, due to the 351 being taller than the 302.
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: thewestie on December 10, 2010, 11:54:54 PM
Never thought of the dist looking at the top pic it might hit I went with the MSD probillit its supposed to be smaller and shorter. But I don't have anything to compare it to?
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: 1Bad88tbird on December 11, 2010, 03:39:42 PM
I'm pretty sure mines a BBK brand, for the fox Mustang.
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: Aerocoupe on December 12, 2010, 05:02:42 PM
I would think that the Maximum Motorsport piece for the early carbureted Fox's would work?

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=122_123&products_id=592

Darren
Title: Supercharger and Tower Brace
Post by: Superbird88 on December 15, 2010, 07:33:44 PM
I'm guessing the strut tower brace wouldn't fit under a factory hood with a roots style super charger and it looks like it might get in the way of a centrifugal style charger.  Does anybody know if I'm wrong and it will fit with either style?
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: Superbird88 on December 15, 2010, 07:35:34 PM
How much of a difference do you notice in the handling?
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: daminc on December 15, 2010, 08:44:56 PM
I was thinking about making my own.....
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: 1Bad88tbird on December 15, 2010, 09:10:55 PM
Watch ebay, I think I only paid $80 for mine and it was like new with all the hardware and it even came in the original box.
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: daminc on December 15, 2010, 09:22:33 PM
hmmm. materials would probably cost me about $15. And I can score a bender when I need.. Looks like another winter project to me
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on December 15, 2010, 10:08:07 PM
I found mine at the junkyard for 13 bucks. Looks just like Vinnie's except mine isn't red. Had it for a few months now and still haven't installed it yet (gotta get it blasted and powdercoated) so I can't say how it affects handling but the general purpose of it is to stiffen up the front end a little.
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: 1Bad88tbird on December 15, 2010, 10:14:02 PM
With you being able to make it yourself I don't blame you. And you can bend it to fit however you need it to that way.
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: 1Bad88tbird on December 15, 2010, 10:22:52 PM
It did stiffen it up a bit.
 I was also told to lift the frontend off the ground with the tires hanging. I think the guy that told me that said if there's any sag in the front this will pull it back out. Then while it's still in the air put the brace on. I went ahead and did it that way, I don't know if it made a difference but I did it anyway.
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: Aerocoupe on December 20, 2010, 11:52:06 AM
It will basically keep the shock towers from moving inward on compression in hard cornering.  Makes the car more predictable in the turns.  If you already have good full length subframe connectors in the car I doubt you would notice any more rigidity in the chassis.

Darren
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: Superbird88 on December 26, 2010, 07:17:34 PM
Is there a manufacturer of a strut tower brace that can be used on a car with or without cc plates?  I don't want to buy a strut brace if I later have to s it or sell it because I can't use it with camber/caster plates.  I'd be willing to pay a bit more for one that can be used with or without CC plates.
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: Aerocoupe on December 26, 2010, 08:58:37 PM
They have absolutely nothing to do with the CC plates.

Darren
Title: Strut Tower Brace
Post by: 88DirtyBird on December 26, 2010, 09:38:41 PM
Strut tower braces r comparable with car with or without cc plates. There is no interference issues to worry about!