Why no Strut Tower Braces?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Why no Strut Tower Braces?
I've been noticing a lot of competing car companies have been adding front and rear strut tower braces as standard suspension components. The 370Z is one example. Seems like a fairly easy and cheap way to decrease body flex. Anyone know why the Corvette engineers have not adopted this to their design?
Would be interested to know if there was a reason.
Would be interested to know if there was a reason.
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 261
Likes: 2
From: Boise Idaho
Macpherson Struts (and their towers) are an evil plan cooked up by wayward youth to allow for from-the-bottom installation of the power train, or just the engine, of a (usually, but not always) uni-body car.
Since Corvettes are constructed differently (engine mounted in actual rock-solid frame, body mounted on frame...see marriage ceremony), there is no need for struts, or the ugly bolt on strengthening bracket.
Not to worry! Our suspension rocks!
Little known fact for JeremyTopGearCantFindABed: Porsche even has a patent (#6029987) on a "strut suspension system supported by a transverse leaf spring system" very much the same as that used by the Corvette. Hummm
Since Corvettes are constructed differently (engine mounted in actual rock-solid frame, body mounted on frame...see marriage ceremony), there is no need for struts, or the ugly bolt on strengthening bracket.
Not to worry! Our suspension rocks!
Little known fact for JeremyTopGearCantFindABed: Porsche even has a patent (#6029987) on a "strut suspension system supported by a transverse leaf spring system" very much the same as that used by the Corvette. Hummm
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 14
From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
I've been noticing a lot of competing car companies have been adding front and rear strut tower braces as standard suspension components. The 370Z is one example. Seems like a fairly easy and cheap way to decrease body flex. Anyone know why the Corvette engineers have not adopted this to their design?
Would be interested to know if there was a reason.
Would be interested to know if there was a reason.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
I've been noticing a lot of competing car companies have been adding front and rear strut tower braces as standard suspension components. The 370Z is one example. Seems like a fairly easy and cheap way to decrease body flex. Anyone know why the Corvette engineers have not adopted this to their design?
Would be interested to know if there was a reason.
Would be interested to know if there was a reason.
Last edited by el es tu; Nov 29, 2012 at 08:59 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 21
From: Austin TX
^^ Also why F-body owners add subframe connectors. Much more important mod than a strut tower brace.
My '94 Z28 race car has subframe connectors and a roll cage. If you lift the car with a jack anywhere, the entire car raises and lowers perfectly in synch - 100% rigid.
If you jack up a stock F-body...
My '94 Z28 race car has subframe connectors and a roll cage. If you lift the car with a jack anywhere, the entire car raises and lowers perfectly in synch - 100% rigid.
If you jack up a stock F-body...
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 772
Likes: 4
From: Ottawa ON
While it's called a strut tower brace, cars with coil overs and double wishbone suspension can benefit from them. The Miata has them, even if it has full spring, shock and wish bone suspension.
They benefit unibody consturctions.
They benefit unibody consturctions.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Madisonville La
Strut tower braces are mostly seen on cars not designed for performance, ie Mustangs, Cameros designed to a mass market low MSRP to get the price shopper and V6 buyers. A much larger portion of total sales than the hipo models. Corvette were designed from the ground up asa performance cars and the structural rigidity was designed in from the begining.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 21
From: Austin TX
[QUOTE=EuroRod;1582444683
How many people purchase hi-powered sport cars without knowing squat about them, how to drive them, or the cars' capabilities?
I suspect it's a big number.[/QUOTE]
Ask this guy:
How many people purchase hi-powered sport cars without knowing squat about them, how to drive them, or the cars' capabilities?
I suspect it's a big number.[/QUOTE]
Ask this guy:
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 35
From: Jupiter Fl
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,633
Likes: 2
From: Evans Colorado
Even if you wanted to add a strut tower brace, there's not facility to add one on the corvette. It's a short long arm designed system. It doesn't have struts.
That's not to say that there aren't some ways of adding rigidity to the chassis itself.
Anyway, a lot of strut tower braces don't really do a whole lot to begin with. Especially in modern cars, even if they do have a strut and lower arm style suspension.
That's not to say that there aren't some ways of adding rigidity to the chassis itself.
Anyway, a lot of strut tower braces don't really do a whole lot to begin with. Especially in modern cars, even if they do have a strut and lower arm style suspension.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Ft. Worth Tx.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 2
From: Johns Creek Georgia
The talent of driving is not based on the technical knowledge of the workings of the machine.....
Why bash enthusiastic car owners?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
They must have been having fun - it takes a lot to flip a vette!
Last edited by el es tu; Nov 29, 2012 at 12:51 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Lake Worth Beach, Florida