Strut Tower Brace on a stock 2010 GT: Worth it?
09-19-2009, 11:56 PM
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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Strut Tower Brace on a stock 2010 GT: Worth it?
Folks:
Please pardon my ignorance/lack of knowledge in this area, as modding is a newer concept I'm interested in getting into, and this seems like a simple start.
I've perused the forum and come up with some info going both ways on this issue. So I'll ask for a fresh opinion.
I have a nice new stock (non-modded) 2010 Mustang GT. No enhanced suspension package or anything.
Is adding a Strut Tower Brace going to make a noticable difference?
The braces I'm considering are:
http://www.americanmuscle.com/strut-brace-0509.html
This one attaches with 2 bolts on each side and costs $114.
OR
http://www.americanmuscle.com/agent4...rut-brace.html
This one attaches with 4 bolts on each side and costs $269.
Is there a benefit to purchasing a Strut Brace that uses 4 bolts on each side versus 2 bolts on each side?
I'm considering these 2 braces in particular because it seems you can install them without removing the plastic engine cover shroud -- at least according to the pictures and/or description. Though one brace says you can't keep the cover on, there's a customer image showing you can, and I'd like to keep it on, personally.
Thanks all!
Please pardon my ignorance/lack of knowledge in this area, as modding is a newer concept I'm interested in getting into, and this seems like a simple start.
I've perused the forum and come up with some info going both ways on this issue. So I'll ask for a fresh opinion.
I have a nice new stock (non-modded) 2010 Mustang GT. No enhanced suspension package or anything.
Is adding a Strut Tower Brace going to make a noticable difference?
The braces I'm considering are:
http://www.americanmuscle.com/strut-brace-0509.html
This one attaches with 2 bolts on each side and costs $114.
OR
http://www.americanmuscle.com/agent4...rut-brace.html
This one attaches with 4 bolts on each side and costs $269.
Is there a benefit to purchasing a Strut Brace that uses 4 bolts on each side versus 2 bolts on each side?
I'm considering these 2 braces in particular because it seems you can install them without removing the plastic engine cover shroud -- at least according to the pictures and/or description. Though one brace says you can't keep the cover on, there's a customer image showing you can, and I'd like to keep it on, personally.
Thanks all!
Last edited by 7up; 09-20-2009 at 12:00 AM.
09-20-2009, 12:10 AM
#3
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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Yes, I believe you are correct.
However, the Ford OEM version (seems to) require removal of the shroud.
Interesting in that I was just building a GT on the ford website, and the engine is shown with a brace installed! Did it come standard with the GT and the dealer removed it!? Or is that just a stock photo? Or an entirely different engine (i.e., GT 500)?
However, the Ford OEM version (seems to) require removal of the shroud.
Interesting in that I was just building a GT on the ford website, and the engine is shown with a brace installed! Did it come standard with the GT and the dealer removed it!? Or is that just a stock photo? Or an entirely different engine (i.e., GT 500)?
09-20-2009, 12:24 AM
#5
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: IN
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I believe it comes standard with the 3.73 and track pack packages. Very nice looking! Find you a dealer that will sell you one at cost.
I don't know if it does much, back in the day it really helped the old cars out, the new ones are a very ridged design, not a lot of flex, thats a good thing, the brace can only help and sure looks good though!
I don't know if it does much, back in the day it really helped the old cars out, the new ones are a very ridged design, not a lot of flex, thats a good thing, the brace can only help and sure looks good though!
09-20-2009, 12:35 AM
#6
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wilkinda and SMiller:
Is this the brace you folks are referring to?
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=8269
If you look down under tech notes, it says "Fits 2005-2010 Mustang GT without plastic engine cover" and "Does not fit V6, supercharged GT, or 2007-2010 GT with intake shroud".
Am I getting my parts/terms mixed up?
Is this the brace you folks are referring to?
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=8269
If you look down under tech notes, it says "Fits 2005-2010 Mustang GT without plastic engine cover" and "Does not fit V6, supercharged GT, or 2007-2010 GT with intake shroud".
Am I getting my parts/terms mixed up?
Last edited by 7up; 09-20-2009 at 12:37 AM.
09-20-2009, 01:07 AM
#8
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09-20-2009, 01:12 AM
#9
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This is a relevant thread on it:
http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-foru...wer-brace.html
(See a picture of it towards the end of the thread.)
Is that the one you're referring to with part number AR3Z16A200A ?
That one does look sweet -- much better than the FordRacingParts.com one ( http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=8269 ) I referred to earlier in this thread.
Last edited by 7up; 09-20-2009 at 01:17 AM.
09-20-2009, 02:02 AM
#10
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 297
Pretty sure the brace was added if you had 19" wheels. As far as it being functional, IMO it would depend on how you drive the car.
If it was my track car I would consider it but for a daily driver it would be more eye candy then useful. Most cars you really need to push them really hard to get enough flex to warrant a strut tower bar. And that kinda of driving should is mostly done on the track.
If it was my track car I would consider it but for a daily driver it would be more eye candy then useful. Most cars you really need to push them really hard to get enough flex to warrant a strut tower bar. And that kinda of driving should is mostly done on the track.