Strut tower brace
Originally Posted by 2000SilverBullet
Ordered it from the GM dealer.
It is the stock GXP bar and it adapts perfectly to our Bonne'*.
Read this thread from the beginning for the part numbers.
Cost me $200.Cdn.
It is the stock GXP bar and it adapts perfectly to our Bonne'*.
Read this thread from the beginning for the part numbers.
Cost me $200.Cdn.
GMDirect....100bucks... for all!! shipping and all!! i figured, buy the bar from them and goto the dealer to see how much the brackets were.....
*EDIT* im retard, just re-read it... u said 200cdn....
Yes we Canadians always get hosed on US goods.
Anything that is priced in US $$ costs us double in Cdn $$ by the time it gets shipped here and the customs guys add to it on top of the exchange rate.
Either way, it'* a good price for a very substantial piece of material.
Anything that is priced in US $$ costs us double in Cdn $$ by the time it gets shipped here and the customs guys add to it on top of the exchange rate.
Either way, it'* a good price for a very substantial piece of material.
My wife drove the Bonne today. The sun was out and the roads were dry, so while I was at work she drove it to the mall. It was the first time it was out since the brace was installed. I didn't want her to drive it until I had a chance to test it out but she couldn't wait.
Well, I guess my install was not perfect because she phoned me at work to tell me, in a very frightened voice that scared the crap out of me, that the Bonne was making weird noises and she thought she broke something.
When I got home I checked it out and the brace was hitting the alternator when in gear. It had a bit of clearance but apparantly not enough.
So I went to work and re-adjusted it
Needs to have about 3/8" clearance.
No noises now.
Took it out for a spirited drive and tested the cornering and it seems to have stiffened up the front end but without the limited slip diff the inside wheelspin is still too darn aggressive to play like a RWD. Needs more anti-sway or stiffer front springs/struts
God I love my Firebird.
Originally Posted by 2000SilverBullet
When I got home I checked it out and the brace was hitting the alternator when in gear. It had a bit of clearance but apparantly not enough.
So I went to work and re-adjusted it
Needs to have about 3/8" clearance.
No noises now.
So I went to work and re-adjusted it
Needs to have about 3/8" clearance.
No noises now.
Bend the end brackets a little more.
Keep them attached to the bar and use the bar for leverage. Place the bracket in a vise and pull a little. Trial and error iteration. You will have to bolt on and take off a few times but it doesn't take long.
3/8" clearance is enough....if you have solid motor mount like I have but if not, you may need more clearance.
Good luck.
Keep them attached to the bar and use the bar for leverage. Place the bracket in a vise and pull a little. Trial and error iteration. You will have to bolt on and take off a few times but it doesn't take long.
3/8" clearance is enough....if you have solid motor mount like I have but if not, you may need more clearance.
Good luck.



