Building my own Strut Brace

[DoubleD]

Been doing a lot of reading on here and on other forums and I am looking to build my own strut brace for me R/T. From my research a welded steel design will give me the greatest benefit for the cost. I plan to make the mounting plates out of 3/16" steel plate and the connecting tube will be square rectangular tubing, 1" x 2" all welded. Here is what I quickly drew up at work today:



Does it help on your cars (1992 Daytona IROC R/T) to tie the brace to the firewall?
What other designs have you guys built for your cars?
Looking for what works and what does not work.
Will this help me while auto-crossing next summer?

[GLHNSLHT2]

It always helps to triangulate it to the fire wall as well. FYI while it'll help in Auto X'ing it might move you up a class. If you haven't yet, a rear brace does wonders for the tona's.

[DoubleD]

I've heard the firewall is weak on these cars and it doesn't pay to tie into it.
I have plenty of engine mods, i am going to get thrown in a class I have to chance in, just doing it for the fun. I've heard both ways on the rear brace, do you recommended it? I could build one once it warms up, got some designs in the work for a removable one.

[GLHNSLHT2]

The firewall has weak points. I haven't heard that tying into it doesn't pay though. Why does the firewall crack? Because the strut towers are pulling around on it as you take corners and hit bumps. If you make it one unit the firewall isn't going to flex as much. Right??? That's my thoughts on it anyway. Also might want to brace the front a-arm points to eachother.

As for the rear I do recommend it greatly. It helps exponentially more than the front one does. I have mine attached at the rear seat latches then triangulated into the rear seat bolts. It's removable but because it's right up against the rear seats it's never in the way unless I have to have something that requires the rear seats down. That being said I've never removed it. The car is night and day better at cornering, hitting bumps while cornering and the ride in general is worlds better, especially for any rear seat passengers. I can jack up a rear corner of the car, set a jack stand under that corner and open and close all the doors and hatch like the car was sitting flat on the ground. The rear seat latches are directly above the spring perches so all the force from the springs when you hit a bump is transmitted directly up to the brace.

[OG_SRT4]

The firewall has weak points. I haven't heard that tying into it doesn't pay though. Why does the firewall crack? Because the strut towers are pulling around on it as you take corners and hit bumps. If you make it one unit the firewall isn't going to flex as much. Right??? That's my thoughts on it anyway. Also might want to brace the front a-arm points to eachother.

As for the rear I do recommend it greatly. It helps exponentially more than the front one does. I have mine attached at the rear seat latches then triangulated into the rear seat bolts. It's removable but because it's right up against the rear seats it's never in the way unless I have to have something that requires the rear seats down. That being said I've never removed it. The car is night and day better at cornering, hitting bumps while cornering and the ride in general is worlds better, especially for any rear seat passengers. I can jack up a rear corner of the car, set a jack stand under that corner and open and close all the doors and hatch like the car was sitting flat on the ground. The rear seat latches are directly above the spring perches so all the force from the springs when you hit a bump is transmitted directly up to the brace.

Do you have a pic of that setup?

[johnl]

Yes, a pic please, pretty please?

[DoubleD]

I would also greatly appreciate some pictures of this, this brace will go high on my list of projects if this is the case.

Also modifying my strut brace to tie it into the firewall now.

Great ideas!

[GLHNSLHT2]

sorry I built it so long ago that a 1 megapixel camera was a fortune to own so I don't have any digital pics of it. I also left it in the t-top car I built it in when I sold it except for the 2 triangulating pieces and have not yet built another for the hardtop car I purchased to replace it as it's not running. It was built from square steel and plate stock so it's not too hard to reproduce.

[DoubleD]

What other details can you remember. I will start mocking something up and drawing prints.
What model and year car?
Did you have to cut up the interior panels?
Was it welded or bolted to the car, I assume the steel was welded to the plate stock?
How was it attached near the seat latches and the rear seat bolts?
I know this was a long time ago but any details you can remember will help, planning on fabbing this up for a Daytona hardtop.

You definitely sparked my interest here.

[DoubleD]

Finished fabrication and added a fresh coat of paint. Installed and ready to go.

[minigts]

Nice work, looks really clean. Did you build it in the 70s? Got any other pics you can scan in from your Polaroid camera?

[DoubleD]

Took that in the driveway with my iPhone 5s, I'll take another tomorrow in the sun, does look vintage thou.

[minigts]

Yeah just being sarcastic. I mean it though, looks really good and if it is as good as it looks, more pics are definitely desired!

[LaserDad]

I was planning to do a new thread, but decided to resurect this one, to show my rear strut brace, on my '87 Daytona track car.
Attachment 51589Attachment 51590Attachment 51591
The brace mounts into the top shock mounts, and allows the rear seat to be up.
I welded standoffs, on the inside, to make the mounting points flat and allow the interior plastic to be installed.
I have not driven it yet, but think it will be plenty strong, and easily removable.

[GLHNSLHT2]

sorry but the attachments don't work

[LaserDad]

- - - Updated - - -

Sorry, but I can't seem to post photos. I guess I'll have to learn how, then resubmit.

[GLHNSLHT2]

the attachments of photos are messed up right now. Not sure if the site owner is going to fix it. Your 2nd post at least allowed us to see the pics.

[turismolover22]

Those are his pics last three are repeats