New forward struts or supports???

[Serpa69]

I thought about it and decided to make some removable forward struts or supports. I really do not know what to call them; they just seemed like a good Idea to put on my car. These are bolt in but I have not drilled out the lower support. I constructed these so I would not have to cut the wheel wells they are plenty beefy and I am sure they will work well. I have taken them in and out several times and yes the hood hinges do not touch. I can thank DSE for making their brake booster small enough to where the bar goes in no problem.

[XcYZ]

That's pretty cool. Did you bend them yourself?

[Serpa69]

Yes, I did. I just used one of those bottle jack type I picked up from northern tool. You can get people to bend them for you pretty cheap.

[Serpa69]

Here are some finished pics. I dont know if they are going to do anything for the car, but I had fun making them and I think they look cool.

[MarkM66]

People would buy those.

[ZMAN1969]

I have seen a magazine article somewhere on building those for firstgens and I am interested - seems like it would help stop some subframe flex. IIRC Herb Adams made some that attched to the cowl and went to the upper a-frame bolt - they were smaller tube - but they were effective enough to tear loose from the cowl! so it seems like it would help. have you driven your car with and without them? what did you think? I have a 87 Trans am that I always assumed the chassis was a good bit stiffer but added a upper STB and a wonder bar and SFC and it was a whole different car! and you all know how rigid a first gen car is...Like a Slinky! :lol:

[pro-tour79]

we manufacture the G-braces and have sold hundreds over the years, I have had them on my pesonel car for 11 years and over 70,000 miles, I have NEVER heard of any tearing loose from their mount, at the cowl or otherwise, now the H.A. sway bar was known to rip the bolts out of the frame.

I do need to add that this is for a second gen, the first gen only has a single layer of sheet metal to bolt to so you cannot just bolt to it without running into problems

[ZMAN1969]

I had looked at yours- for a first gen -now I understand why you dont offer them - that was the issue IIRC with the early set that I'm pretty sure Herb Adams? installed some that it tore up the upper mounting point. I wonder what these would do to the upper fender mount of the cowl if long term use would hurt the car?

[pro-tour79]

I keep going back looking at the first gens and that whol cowl/ firewall just looks weak

[Serpa69]

The part that this is attached to has a intersection of the lower cowl it is also where the fender mount is it is plenty strong. I could pick up the car with these bars. If the frame moved enough to tear the fire wall out then I would say that you have bigger problems