Monte Carlo Bar
4th Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,188
From: 1984
The export brace DOES create triangles all by itself. The triangles are rear apron, firewall, and brace. There is a triangle on each rear corner of the engine compartment. I am with the guys that say export brace first them monte carlo bar. The angled braces of the Export brace are going to do a whole lot more to stiffen up the front end than a single bar going straight across the engine bay all by itself. In the sketches below, which rectangle will be more resistant to racking out of square.
I am not saying the export brace will not improve the rigidity, only that it should not be considered first and is somewhat overrated because it attaches to sheet metal at the firewall. That is why Shelby added an angle iron at that point.
The lowly bar on the other hand moves the side of the triangle closer to the towers, eliminating possible flexing of the aprons from the towers to the radiator support.
Based on my rudimentary understanding of physics I think the brace alone is good, the straight bar alone is better, and installing both is the best.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,946
From: Colorado
I think everyone has the right idea on the export brace/monte carlo bar concept but I will have to point out that his alignment guy said he has bad upper A arms so any money spent on either the export brace or the monte carlo bar will be money wasted until he corrects the problems with the front end. The money will be better spent, at this point, on correcting any problems with the original parts.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,282
From: TX
While you are at it, go ahead and do the Shelby drop.
BTW, someone mentioned that Mustangs should have come with the export brace from the factory. I think I read somewhere that they did... in Europe. And that is why it is called an "export" brace.
BTW, someone mentioned that Mustangs should have come with the export brace from the factory. I think I read somewhere that they did... in Europe. And that is why it is called an "export" brace.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,417
From: Cork, Ireland
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 940
From: CT
Paragraph from the History of the Shelby GT350:
The second addition which proved to be the most beneficial in reducing flex while increasing the rigidity of the engine compartment came in the form of the export brace. This is where Cantwell first noticed the export brace being placed on cars being shipped outside of the United States. It was determined the export brace was essentially a no-cost quality and performance item which could easily be incorporated into the build schedule of the future Mustangs destined for Shelby American. The production people at the San Jose plant were very cooperative and from that point on the export braces were placed on all the Mustang chassis that were to be delivered to Shelby American.
The second addition which proved to be the most beneficial in reducing flex while increasing the rigidity of the engine compartment came in the form of the export brace. This is where Cantwell first noticed the export brace being placed on cars being shipped outside of the United States. It was determined the export brace was essentially a no-cost quality and performance item which could easily be incorporated into the build schedule of the future Mustangs destined for Shelby American. The production people at the San Jose plant were very cooperative and from that point on the export braces were placed on all the Mustang chassis that were to be delivered to Shelby American.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,282
From: TX
Why the hell didn't they put them on all American cars?!?!? So weird. Especially since they were "no cost".
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,282
From: TX
Have you ever had your Stang over to the Autobahn? Would be great fun. Although, from what I understand, stock aero Mustangs are squirrely at high speed.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,302
From: Northernish Eastish Central Texas
Check out my website for info on how to build your own adjustable export brace and Monte Carlo Bar for about 1/3rd the cost of the TCP units.
http://www.midnightdsigns.com/Mustan...arlo%20001.jpg
Back to the original thoughts: Suggest you get ahold of your local Mustang club and get some recommendations for area shops that know how to work on and align these 45 year old front ends. Anybody who tells you to install adjustable strut rods doesn't know these cars.
A reputable shop will be able to align your front end to with enough toe and caster to fix your bumpsteer. Assumingggggggggg that your shock towers aren't bent so bad that they can't bring it in. But they will be able to tell you that for sure.
http://www.midnightdsigns.com/Mustan...arlo%20001.jpg
Back to the original thoughts: Suggest you get ahold of your local Mustang club and get some recommendations for area shops that know how to work on and align these 45 year old front ends. Anybody who tells you to install adjustable strut rods doesn't know these cars.
A reputable shop will be able to align your front end to with enough toe and caster to fix your bumpsteer. Assumingggggggggg that your shock towers aren't bent so bad that they can't bring it in. But they will be able to tell you that for sure.