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Installing a engine bay brace

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Old 03-26-2008, 03:25 PM
  #1  
kaiser18
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Default Installing a engine bay brace

I am looking into replacing my stocktower brace becuase its starting to bend and twist. I am thinking about buying this brace off of cjponyparts.com http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000016e~Z5Z5Z5ADKXH~ P89.95~~~~S2BY0U98ZZ66183161071a~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000 016e

I have two questions about installing the horizontal brace that goes from one shocktower to the other. My first question is what are the benefits of a curved bar over a strait one? and how does this horizontal brace bolt on? I see no holes anywhere on my panels for it to bolt onto.
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Old 03-26-2008, 03:39 PM
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racin66coupe
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Default RE: Installing a engine bay brace

for the monte carlo bar (horizontal brace) you have to drill holes i beleive. and i do not know any benefits or the curved bar other than air cleaner clearance
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Old 03-26-2008, 03:44 PM
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zmetalmilitia
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Default RE: Installing a engine bay brace

That is why it is curved, for air cleaner clearence and dist. clearance. If you put it in there and there are no holes, drill em. Not all have pre drilled holes. Good luck, it should stiffen up the bay well.
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Old 03-26-2008, 03:49 PM
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kaiser18
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Default RE: Installing a engine bay brace

Cool, thanks for the info guys
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Old 03-26-2008, 04:07 PM
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baddog671
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Default RE: Installing a engine bay brace

Like said, the curved monte carlo bar is for clearing space for a oval air cleaner. It also allows more room for the dizzy. If someone tells you the curved ones are weaker than the straights, don't listen to them. If you have enough torque on your front end to "kink" that tubular steel bar, you'll have other things to worry about first.

Also, I think the curved ones look better installed than the straights.

And as for the holes, you'll most likly have to drill some. On the top portion of the mount there are 2 holes (per side) that will definitly need drilled since there are no pre-existing holes. The 2 or 3 on the sides of the mount MIGHT line up with the bolt holes for the suspension gaurd, so you'll have to determine drilling there or not.

I had to drill the top holes, but I modified mine and only had 1 hole on the sides which lined up with the suspension gaurd hole.
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Old 03-26-2008, 05:40 PM
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ThanksDad
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Default RE: Installing a engine bay brace

I added both to my car. Two of the three holes for the Monte Carlo Brace lined up. I had to drill the third.
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Old 03-26-2008, 06:35 PM
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Adrenolin
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Default RE: Installing a engine bay brace

I ordered a curved chrome monte bar in Jan from NPD. The nice thing is it dropped directly in and didn't need the walls straightened at all. The bad thing is it looks like it had gone through WWII at least twice! I couldn't believe it really. Beat to crap with scratches and gouges all over and what looks to be areas where someone took a set of vise grips to. Called to complain but didn't have time to get a replacement shipped at that time. When placing another order last week I mentioned this and the sales guy included a replacement at no charge. After looking at everything I grabbed the new replacement monte bar for inspection. Well its somewhat better but its still scratched up quite a bit and very discolored all around the welds.

So I'm gonna start looking for a better Stainless Steel curved monte bar which should be higher quality. I've seen a few around here and there however Has anyone seens a Stainless Steel Brace as well? All I've seen have been chrome or black.
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Old 03-26-2008, 10:42 PM
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andrewmp6
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Default RE: Installing a engine bay brace

Adrenolin have you seen this http://www.streetortrack.com/Street-...-pr-23524.html
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