Strut Brace - Is it worth it?

[Project_Corty]

Hey guys

I have read a little bit about strut braces but I am wondering if it is really going to add a lot of extra value to my VT commodore. I'm planning on putting in whiteline adjustable swaybars at the front and rear of the car.

Any thoughts from people that put them in??

My car doesn't really do a lot of track work but I still want to get the sway bars done. I love handling!

[zorro]

by itself Id say not a big difference at all, really needs the rest of the suspension done. swaybars alone will be better difference, the brace you may or may not notice a difference. I threw one on a VU SS, and in honestly me or the owner didnt think there was much change.

while your at it throw in the castor bushes if you are doing the swaybars.

[DaveHAT]

On a VT ... even if it doesn't help handling greatly it should help to reduce/limit/stop the amount of cracking that can and does occur where the strut tops meet the body at the inner guard.

I know it did on mine and I only fitted a basic VYII brace.

[HSV Listy]

You can get the $40 Vy ones from holden that will do the job or all the way up to the BMR ones for 8x that price. Might add a few bucks value to the car as it looks a bit racey. Some people notice the difference with a strut brace some dont. Decent sway bars and decent suspension bushes will do allot more that a strut brace. I got front and rear strut brace, subframe bracing, roll cage etc the works so I can not really give feedback on one part of it.

THe VY one is the small one and the big one is the BMR one.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk77/HSVListy/BMRsubframeandstrutsupports003.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk77/HSVListy/Strutbraces005.jpg
This is the rear strut brace.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk77/HSVListy/Strutbraces001.jpg

[warp11]

where did u get that rear strut brace from?

[Spider]

On a VT ... even if it doesn't help handling greatly it should help to reduce/limit/stop the amount of cracking that can and does occur where the strut tops meet the body at the inner guard.

I know it did on mine and I only fitted a basic VYII brace.

Thats the reason i bought one.
And after reading these two threads...

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=81571&highlight=cracked+strut+tower

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=88323&highlight=cracked+strut+tower

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/mosoto/Calais/VXCalais004.jpg

[Mungrel]

By itself its probably more to reduce cracking of the strut towers.
From a performance perspective i think the money could be better spent elsewhere. For example, sway bars may be a little more difficult to fit - but you will notice a big difference. Unlike strut braces. If you do a search you'll find that some people notice a difference, some don't.

[steve_t]

Thats the reason i bought one.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/mosoto/Calais/VXCalais004.jpg

OUCH!! :(:(

[Louie_D]

Ive been told the standard brace is the better option over the after market braces. I dunno if it made much of a difference as i got all the suspension done together but i believe it did reduce tram lining

[RIDE:42]

i went the whiteline strut brace and well worth the $$ spent

[blacksv869]

i used to live in the mountains, lots of corners at highway speeds:yahoo:......personally found it "sharpened" the cornering and improved stability. for $40 bucks it didn't hurt :)

[Evman]

When the strut brace came to be standard on HSV's one of the chief engineers said it's more for visual effect than anything. I'm sure if you're pushing the car to it's limits it'll make a difference, but I doubt many people do that on a regular basis.

[HSV271]

On my VX R8 it made a difference to the overall turn in feel, so I reckon it was worth the $$ as well.

[chargedvx6]

It can't hurt to fit a strut brace. When I fitted the holden VY2 brace it tightened up the front slightly. Best to do all together IMO.

I would recommend upgrading sway bars over springs to improve handling.

[Nidz]

I got a wagon which is a bit heavier.. I definitely noticed it when I was on the twisty roads.. Makes handling a bit easier. Worth $50 to get one.

[VXSS346]

I've got a Whiteline one on mine, I'd say it definately made the front feel tighter (slightly) and seemed to reduce understeer a bit too.

Would probably help longevity of the body structure too (the main reason I got it) so I'd say its well worth it.

My 2c

Cheers :)

[HSV Listy]

where did u get that rear strut brace from?

VCM suite do them. Also goes under the car and connects to the frame or the diff brace. Not 100% sure exactly. I am yet to get a photo up on a hoist. I will soon.

[vyc4b]

I've got a Whiteline one on mine, I'd say it definately made the front feel tighter (slightly) and seemed to reduce understeer a bit too.

Would probably help longevity of the body structure too (the main reason I got it) so I'd say its well worth it.

My 2c

Cheers :)

Exactly the same reasons and results here......
Cheers.

[Excellent]

I'd say it's worth it on its own. It makes the suspension do more work by stiffening up the chassis. Most performance cars have them for obvious effect.

[smokey777]

if ya drive a VN put a strut on you will be amazed with the difference

[VCMSWT]

The premise of a strut brace is of course to reduce flex, which on the street and unless you are having a real go, stands for not all that much. However if you are after serious handling (high speed hills or race track for example), then a quality (meaning well designed, thick and very strong) aftermarket item will kill the HSV version every time.

Then if you really want to up the ante, fit a chassis kit - it completely changes the complexion of the car.

[TLX]

The premise of a strut brace is of course to reduce flex, which on the street and unless you are having a real go, stands for not all that much. However if you are after serious handling (high speed hills or race track for example), then a quality (meaning well designed, thick and very strong) aftermarket item will kill the HSV version every time.

Then if you really want to up the ante, fit a chassis kit - it completely changes the complexion of the car.


Greg,

any good options for the VE?

[iamhappy46]

Strut braces are more noticeable when your getting massive weight transfer onto one side of the car... such as when on the race track. However, through it through a tight winding mountain road a few times with the strut brace off and then do it again with the strut brace on and you will feel the difference for sure ;)

[kpop]

i got mine for $50 from holden

can feel a slight difference in cornering, but its not a lot of money, and it does make the engine bay look better

vcm suite have a super hardcore one for around $300 thats light as a feather but uber strong at the same time

[2 cylinders shy]

Greg,

any good options for the VE?

These are the new BMR products (like VCM sell) for the G8

Subframe Brace
http://www.bmrfabrication.com/G8/SFC013Rsmall.jpg

Strut Brace
http://www.bmrfabrication.com/G8/STB012Rsmall.jpg

[TLX]

Thanks for that mate:goodjob:

[Project_Corty]

Wow people like to comment on strut bracing.

Thanks guys for the input. I will get sway bars first and then a strut brace later or if I can afford it all 3 items from Whiteline.

The other biggest improvement you can make is upgrading all the bushes in your car. It is just like putting in hard springs except without the low to the ground dilemma which makes going over potholes and speed humps a real bia*ch.

Heaps of guys just do lowered springs but if the rest of the chassis aint tight (due to worn bushes for example) the car will still travel underneath.

I think sway bars are definitely the best value for money and I'll do the strut for insurance against splitting fenders.

Thanks guys for the input!

[iamhappy46]

I have ALL the suspension bushes replaced in my car, makes it really firm for those lovely twisty roads but potholes and speedhumps are just that little bit more stiff due to the rubber flex being removed. I tend to avoid potholes and speedhumps are not an issue where I live so it is something I can put up with for the superb handling the car has once pushed :)

[HSV Listy]

I have ALL the suspension bushes replaced in my car, makes it really firm for those lovely twisty roads but potholes and speedhumps are just that little bit more stiff due to the rubber flex being removed. I tend to avoid potholes and speedhumps are not an issue where I live so it is something I can put up with for the superb handling the car has once pushed :)

Also the road noise is a bit more and you tend to feel the tiny bumps that you never felt. Takes about 2 days of driving around and you will not even notice them anymore. The rear bushes upgrades are what I noticed most. Worth it if you are doing some enthusiastic driving every now and then

[VZ_V8]

I had the standard holden one on but decided the whiteline was stronger and looked better. Personally I would rather spend $150 on a whiteline strut brace than on a chev grille/badging like some on here do.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o64/tim6489/VZ%20for%20LS1/th_IMG_20821000x667.jpg (http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o64/tim6489/VZ%20for%20LS1/?action=view&current=IMG_20821000x667.jpg)

Any Perth members want my standard one? Was on the car for 10,000kms...
$Free if you pick it up.

[phunky_monkey]

On my VX R8 it made a difference to the overall turn in feel, so I reckon it was worth the $$ as well.


Did the same for my VX, well worth it in my opinion.

[klink]

Strut braces are more noticeable when your getting massive weight transfer onto one side of the car... such as when on the race track. However, through it through a tight winding mountain road a few times with the strut brace off and then do it again with the strut brace on and you will feel the difference for sure ;)


Just curious did you prefer it on or off?

do you have bigger sawybars aswell?

i have signature swaybars and a whiteline strut brace, i personally dont like it.

Without it on the car will step and hold a stable 7-30 angle put it on and it wants to put you at 9 oclock very bloody quickly.

2 people who drive my car regularly can tell if its on or off without popping the bonnet and both prefer it without.

almost feels like the front is now too stiff.

but if you can see if someone can take you for a drive in there car with it on and without, so you know.

[iamhappy46]

I prefer it on, I like throwing the car into a corner and powering out. I dont like the feeling of flopping around like a fish out of water... as the car often did a nice windy wet road, I was impressed with the stability of the VYII strut brace :)

[Peddstaff2]

Ahhh - strut braces...or as we call them "tower bars". In terms of making and impact to overall vehicle handling and performance etc I agree with most on this thread that springs (1st), shocks (2nd) and bushes (3rd) would make the biggest difference however the effect of strut braces/tower bars is very much misunderstood and underestimated. We call strut braces "the fifth spring" because if you picture a car veiwed from the front of the car it is like a box design....without a strut brace you have the top of the box missing. A quality strut brace acts to increase chassis rigidity and its main benefit is that it maintains dynamic alignment angles. Without a strut brace the load when cornering etc on the top strut mounts is extreme. I noticed a lot of posts mentioning a "cracking" sound.....might pay to check the condition of your upper strut mounts....one of the most common selling items we have for late model commodore is our 5851 upper strut mount (with 5030 strut bearing) because we have a lot of knocking, binding, notchy complaints with the original as well as some that even collapsed....especially if the car has either a) done some km's, b) been driven hard! Our 5851 is stronger and more durable and will make a notcieable difference to not only handling performance but also assist in shock absorption.

Anyway back to the strut braces....we sell a Pedders Tower Bar/Strut Brace and also Whiteline which (of course) are great.

We did a technical paper on both strut mounts and strut braces some years ago now for our trade customers throughout Australia so when I get in the office today I will see if I can drag them up and post the info to this thread.

Cheers guys!

SCOTT PEDDER

Hi again guys....I dusted off our technical papers on strut brace/tower bar and also bearing plates/top mounts and have included them in a new technical section on our dedicated Ls1 Forum Website section. I apologise in advance for some of the artwork etc....the Strut Bearing Plate Technical Paper was produced in the early 90's! We will continue to develop the technical section as we have hundreds (probably thousands!) of similar technical papers and pieces of information which I now know you guys would like to see.

Here is the link to access this tech section http://www.pedders.com.au/products/94/183

Some good bedtime reading!......

Cheers

SCOTT PEDDER