I just finished installing an Edlebrock 3-point strut tower brace on my convertible. I picked up a very gently used one on eBay for less than $90. It took me about 6 hoursand I had to make a trip to the local NAPA auto parts for a gear puller to pop the windshield wipers off. The install is very straight forward. Some of the bolts were a very tight fit. The scary part was drilling two holes in my firewall and two more in the pinch weld at the base of the windshield. Got everything together and it looks nice. From my initial driving impressions over pretty rough local country two lanes it seems to have tightened up the front end. Doesn't seem to flop as much. And I know this vert was already much stiffer than the previous generation like the one I rented on Maui.





One word of advice for anyone planning this install. I pulled the piece that bolts through the firewall right up under the foldat the top ofthe firewall. The plastic trim over the wiper motors now doesn't fit flush. For one thing it sits on thebracket that bolts between the firewall and the pinch weld. I would recommend pushing that piece down 3/8" to 1/2" before drilling the holes, not flush with the fold. I still like the way it turned out but if I could do it over I would. Damn perfectionism. [:@]

Martin

 

6-hour install time for a strut brace!!

damn, mine took 10 mins!

but no drilling of course...

 

Yeah, that's definitely a long time for something that really isn't giving you any benefit. I put one on the '05 when I first bought it. There were so many available that I figured it had to be worth something. I refuse to waste the money on the '07, now that I know better.

But as long as you like it, that's what matters.

 

That looks like a biatch to remove for engine work.
But it might help a vert. somewhat with the chuckle situation
Not likin the bolts that attach the bar to the strut tower mounting plates.
Seems like thats the weak point of a brace that is suppost to stiffen things up.

 

I think it looks good.

 

Looks good. I only paid $100 for a used ford racing brace. I wouldn't have paid full price for one, thats for sure. Its does help some, but is more for looks, IMO.