back strut brace

[overlordsshadow]

Back strut bar. I've got a 92 4dr shadow and just wondering if anyone has put a back support on the inside of the vehicle and if it made any difference in cornering. I was thinking of going from seatbelt holder to seatbelt holder, just above the wheel wells.

[cordes]

I believe that Russ Jerome put one in an omni between the strut towers a while back and felt that it really improved things.

[GLHNSLHT2]

made one long ago. Gave it to Garry Mckissi to test since he was the only one I knew with a Shadow. He said it made a bit of a difference. Ask him. He's on the forums here. I triangulated it in so it wasn't just a straight bar.

[overlordsshadow]

Ya cause my front one made a HUGE difference but at the back we already have solid axles and the floor going across. So I wasn't sure if putting a bar 10 inches above the floor was going to do much.

[Stinkbox]

i made one for my daytona out of a stock pan hard bar i had laying around. cut 2 holes for the bolts on the tops of the shock towers and bolted it up. made a hugeeeeeeeee difference since daytonas have that huge hatch area. one of the best mods i did on the car.

[Reaper1]

Keep your eyes open! A couple of my friends and myself have done a rear bar and did actual testing with it(took measurements to determine body flex). We also compared it to a bar that somebody else already makes. I will hopefully be installing the prototype in my '88 Shelby Z this weekend. The mock-up car was an '86 Turbo Z. I'll give more info once the bar is in my car. I'll also have picutres of it both in the mock car and installed in my car.

[GLHNSLHT2]

wonder how much it's like the one I made 7+ years ago?? Works great in a tona. The attachment points weren't as good in a shadow so the difference wasn't that much with it in. But it's a must have for a Daytona. Can't wait to see pics. I'll let you know if you copied me.

[Reaper1]

I'll say that it looks a LOT like another bar that's already offered. We didn't test fit it in a P-body, but it *should* fit, though it might be tight. I'll post pics and numbers after it is in my car this weekend...

[overlordsshadow]

Gonna start mocking mine tonight. The hatch is already ripped apart and ready for measuring.

[Reaper1]

Well, I have it in my car. I LOVE this thing! It wasn't fun putting it in primarily because I wanted it to look good and this was the first one we tried to fully install. We learned a few things that will be changed on the next ones we build too. I'll post pictures and stats on it probably tomorrow. I'll say that it makes the car feel like it's got a larger rear sway bar in it.

[overlordsshadow]

I have to quit gettin drunk so I can work on the Shadow. Can't believe I can type.

[Reaper1]

LOL...that usually helps!

[GLHNSLHT2]

Pics!!!!!

[Reaper1]

Coming tonight!!!

[overlordsshadow]

Everyone stop yelling!!!!

[GLHNSLHT2]

Pics Now!!!!

[overlordsshadow]

Its not done! Although I may have pics of almost finished 2 3/4 inch cutout tommorow.

[GLHNSLHT2]

sorry was talking to Reaper.

[Reaper1]

OK, here's pictures as promised!!!

This first set is the prototype being installed in my 1988 Shelby Z.



Test fitting in the car...the interior panels still had tp be modified at this point


This is how the bolts fit. The outer one is VERY tight, but it does fit. An open end box wrench is needed to hold it for sure!



This is the bolts from under the car so you can see where they are. Once tightened they do sit flat against the body. We did end up trimming the bolts off. These were 2" grade 8 bolts, nuts and lockwashers. I also used Grade 5 flat washers because they were larger in diameter than the Grade 8 ones.



This is the bar completely installed in my car. I painted it the closest color I could find to the interior. One of the major factors involved with this design is that my subwoofer HAD to fit under it and it had to fit under the tonoue cover. It was successful!

[Reaper1]

My friend who is hleping make these is also installing one in his '91 CS Daytona. His is the second one made and it fits a little different than mine. I'll post more details about it later. These are the latest pictures of it, the install will be completed tomorrow...