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Do they make strut bars for our car?

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Old Feb 8, 2008 | 10:41 AM
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Default Do they make strut bars for our car?

I've heard that they do not make strut bars for our car. Wouldn't increase its handling capabilities. I've heard that it is because our cars are unibody or y-body or something like that. Not so sure. Can somebody elaborate for me?
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Old Feb 8, 2008 | 11:02 AM
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Our cars have frames... Not unibodies. Nor do they even have struts.

Strut tower braces are for cars that use the inner fenders to mount the top of the struts. Those upper mounts are very high, and braces are meant to strengthen these high mounts. The Corvette's suspension has no relationship with the body, that is why we have cool pictures of rolling frames!
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Old Feb 8, 2008 | 01:27 PM
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I agree..the front frame rails are locked in place by a super rigid aluminum subframe (also holds the engine). In theory, the frame-rails can twist slightly, especially if you are running coil-overs, but it is a very strong setup.
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Old Feb 8, 2008 | 02:37 PM
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So would they serve a benefit in handling?
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Old Feb 8, 2008 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by vincentjames501
So would they serve a benefit in handling?
No.

If you have no struts, exactly what did you intend to mount the bar to?

On most FWD cars, the upper strut mount is part of the body, which can and does flex. A strut bar is designed to minimize that flex, by tying the upper mounts together with a rigid bar.

On a C5, the body is in no way connected to the suspension. The fenders on C5s are merely there to cover the tire, thus, there is nothing structural to even bolt a bar to, much less make any difference in handling.


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Old Feb 8, 2008 | 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by vincentjames501
I've heard that they do not make strut bars for our car. Wouldn't increase its handling capabilities. I've heard that it is because our cars are unibody or y-body or something like that. Not so sure. Can somebody elaborate for me?
^If you are interested in adding a little rigidity to your frame you could install a thicker tunnel plate like what Elite Engineering sells.
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Old Feb 8, 2008 | 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Independent1
^If you are interested in adding a little rigidity to your frame you could install a thicker tunnel plate like what Elite Engineering sells.
with the hydro formed steel frames we have, the frames are already pretty rigid. If you would like more. try upgrading your sway bars.
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Old Feb 8, 2008 | 08:15 PM
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what does a sway-bar have to do with how rigid the frame is????



The only way you're going to make the frame any more rigid is with a full roll-cage. Not those little 4-point deals, I'm talking a 10-point nascar style cage
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Old Feb 8, 2008 | 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Lancer033
what does a sway-bar have to do with how rigid the frame is????
Nothing, but the OP seems to be concerned about improved handling.

Larger swaybars will typically improve handling.

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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 06:03 PM
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You can't put strut braces on a car that does not have struts.

Even then, I think most strut braces are just bling. Most of them do not have the diagonal bracing that is required to really stiffen the body around the struts.

Peter
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