SLP Strut Tower Braces

[mikes00GAGT]

Has anyone installed SLP's Strut Tower Braces? If so, did you have any difficulties installing them? It's between SLP and Next Level's STB's, how likes which company better and why?

Thanks!

[tshboy]

rear SLP STB here. just installed a few days ago. way easier than TNL. i returned that poj (IMO) and got this one instead.

i also have a Ramairtech front STB. that combo i am really loving. both braces are solid welded steel. once tightened down the bar is very rigid with no play in it. the rear one is nice. has two large washers and a couple nuts for the outer two studs (which tnl brace has no way of attaching to).

plus you gotta love the $99 price tag compared with $120 for TNL braces.

[Jason E]

Question about the rear one...does it cut into luggage space much?? I wanna do one on mine, but seeing as how I already have one impractical car, I don't need a second by wrecking my luggage space in the GA. How and where does this go across??

BTW, to anyone who may care...whether it is for a GA, GP, F body or Corvette, SLP has the best damn stuff anywhere, for the money. SLP parts are the only ones that won't void your warranty too. Anything I do to my cars will always be with SLP stuff...it just plain works, without a hassle. I've talked with SLP engineers before, and they really sweat the details. In SLPs case, you get more than you pay for...

[tshboy]

Originally posted by Jason E
Question about the rear one...does it cut into luggage space much?? I wanna do one on mine, but seeing as how I already have one impractical car, I don't need a second by wrecking my luggage space in the GA. How and where does this go across??

BTW, to anyone who may care...whether it is for a GA, GP, F body or Corvette, SLP has the best damn stuff anywhere, for the money. SLP parts are the only ones that won't void your warranty too. Anything I do to my cars will always be with SLP stuff...it just plain works, without a hassle. I've talked with SLP engineers before, and they really sweat the details. In SLPs case, you get more than you pay for...

well, the bar is about an inch in diameter and goes right across level with the strut towers. i havent had it long enough to tell you about the luggage part. i will take a picture tomorrow so you can see what the tower looks like and how close the bar is to the back seat.

[AaronGTR]

I don't know why you think the TNL rear brace is junk. I haven't had any problems with mine. I will tell you this. Since the TNL and SLP bars are similar in price, design, and finish, how do you distinguish them? Quality of material. SLP bars are made of mild steel. TNL bars are made of chromoly, which is stronger, stiffer, and lighter than mild steel. For STB's stiffness is everything. For the same price I would chose the chromoly.;)

[drburns]

I've had the SLP stb for about 8 months. They're super easy to install and the finish is very nice. They actually look like factory upgrades. As for luggage space, it does limit it somewhat. When you need to put something large in the trunk with the seats down, it's tough to pass under the bar. But it's really not that big of an issue.

[drburns]

Here some pics of the rear bar

[drburns]

the other pic...

[lrymal]

Originally posted by AaronGTR
I don't know why you think the TNL rear brace is junk. ...

The mount on the rear brace flexes due to its design in how it hooks up to the tower head. It is more cosmetic than function.

[tshboy]

Originally posted by AaronGTR
I don't know why you think the TNL rear brace is junk. I haven't had any problems with mine. I will tell you this. Since the TNL and SLP bars are similar in price, design, and finish, how do you distinguish them? Quality of material. SLP bars are made of mild steel. TNL bars are made of chromoly, which is stronger, stiffer, and lighter than mild steel. For STB's stiffness is everything. For the same price I would chose the chromoly.;)

well, that's just my personal opinion having installed both and not being able to get one to work properly. if you can get it to work (stay in tension) then more power to you. but the first drive i took it out i had it come loose on me.

i did a little picture to try and show the difference. kinda hard to see.

[tshboy]

let's try this again...

[Jason E]

drburns,

Thanks for loading up the pics...VERY helpful in seeing what I'd be dealing with. After looking at that, I will probably spend the extra $85 (dealer cost...gotta love it :D) for the rear brace when I do the front. Only problem is I do put my bike in the trunk every now and then...anyone ever try putting in a normal sized bike with one of these???

So, I know all about STBs, how they work and what they do...I am ordering a STB and subframe connects on my Z28 Tuesday from SLP. On the GAs, how well do they work?? Is there a notable difference between doing just the front versus front and rear?? How much better does the handling become with the front alone??

Oh yeah, one last thing...how the hell does the STB loop around the metal support blocking the side of the RR strut tower screw?? I'm looking at it on my car, and all I can see is how a straight bar would be blocked by the metal support going around the trunk opening...thanks for any help anyone can give.

[RedGrandTour]

I was looking foward to having the rear STB. After looking at the photos,I realized my sub wouldn't clear the bar. I don't want my sub pushed that close to the front.:nono:

[AaronGTR]

If the SLP bar doesn't have adjustable end links how are you supposed to set the tension properly? If your cars frame is off just a little bit it won't fit perfectly or it won't do as good a job. Most good STB's I see for other cars have adjustable end links. I've never had a problem with mine moving. If it does, there's an easy way to fix it. Put a couple of nuts and washers on the other 2 bolts on the strut tower and run them down against the end plates. Problem solved.:)

[AaronGTR]

Originally posted by Jason E

On the GAs, how well do they work?? Is there a notable difference between doing just the front versus front and rear?? How much better does the handling become with the front alone??

I put both mine on at the same time, so no idea of difference between them. I can say they made an immediatly noticable difference. Not in cornering speed or lean of course, but much improved steering feel and response, and better tracking in corners. Worth the $$$.

Oh yeah, one last thing...how the hell does the STB loop around the metal support blocking the side of the RR strut tower screw?? I'm looking at it on my car, and all I can see is how a straight bar would be blocked by the metal support going around the trunk opening...thanks for any help anyone can give. [/B]

The bar is offset where it attaches to the brackets toward the rear off the car so it clears that. Also, the rear bar doesn't take up much room since it's near the rear seat and the top of the trunk. Hope that helps.:)

[tshboy]

well i had the front STB on for 2 yrs and after this past week and putting the rear stb and rear sway bar on the difference is HUGE. much more responsive. i wish i had a slalom course now :)