DC SPORTS strut brace...it fits..with mods (pics included)

**Samoan Tsunami** · 11-20-2007, 06:15 AM

well as per the unwritten rule on the internet....

it finally came in today. Tbyrne MS was the hookup. fast shipping.
also if you notice on the second picture, someone either here or another lx forum questioned the second indentation on the underside of the strut brace.
seems that is a updated/manufactured addition.

i hate waiting to install.:smile: ok now to the goodies.

can it be installed on the v6? yes.... will you had to modify.....yes. but only slightly, and i have pics of where. thankfully the engine doesnt have much movement when the engine is revved. actually had a friend rev the engine hard, while i was under the hood, looking and taking pics.

Installation:

first remove the bolts...naturally.

NOW heres where the problem lies.... the motor part of the TB actually touches....just slightly, but it touches...

on the rear side, it doesnt touch, but its within a few hairs of touching....so there will have to be a 2 part "modding" for a solid fit.

slightly different view...although most of the TB itself tucks into the clearance between the two bars...

the passenger side....perfectly clear....

now heres the helpers for the rear half of the TB. granted i used washers right now, knowing me, i'll be mocking up an aluminum plate thats the exact size of the plate ends on the strut brace to put underneath. 1/8 of an inch should do, these washers are a bit shy of 1/8th an inch thick. and they work. and no hood problems either.

everyone knows how to install washers underneath something so no need to show indy pics of that. after the washers, i tightened it all down....gain? clearance. the second half of the modding involved a relatively sizable. BFH. anyone whos done custom, fabrication of metal, knows this term. if you dont know this term....think ball pein hammer...although BFH sounds more manly. or something

basically i modded the underside close to 1/8 of an inch. not as recessed as the middle reliefs pressed into both bars, but enough. i may mod it a bit more down the road but for now, good fit. the bar isnt warped or anything, hence the reason i used a ball pein hammer. i made clearance, and the brace still sat level on the coffee table, so it wasnt twisted. learned a few tricks of the trade working and fabricating stuff for my last auto.

24.5 oz BP hammers....do work, son! :D

Fully installed

not a bad mod for handling. the main differences is consistency. its basically the same as the last 3 cars i've owned that i;ve installed them on. its not gonna make a HUGE difference, but you can feel the consistency between both strut towers, especially in turns. I've heard strut braces called "underhood bling", but thats only true if you arent gonna throw the car into a turn at speed. if all you do is drag race, then really, you probably wouldnt need larger swaybars either. for those that do autoX and or road races, or even pay to run on tracks like summit point, etc.. you will feel the subtle differences.
this is probably the most basic suspension mod in the suspension world. its like an intake to an engine.
swaybars will be next. i noticed i have a stock one up front...but the sticker tag didnt show a rear one. i'll check when i mic up the exhaust pipes soon. hopefully in more dry weather. i dont mind the cold, but wet leaves..... ehh tonite, i just sucked it up. had to get out and "Do Work!".
hope this helps anyone planning to do this on 3-5. the 2.7L will probably be similar.

also to note, i didnt jack the car up at all. the strut bar went on pretty much perfectly. the only thing i can think of is that the strut mount bolts on some cars may be slightly stiff. so for some people you may need to relieve the spring pressure just so you can manuever the strut bolts.

**TMag** · 11-20-2007, 06:31 AM

Nice job on the install.

**pigpen** · 11-20-2007, 02:23 PM

Good job!!

I don't think it will fit the 2.7 though, I will have to do some digging around and compare images before I buy one for my magnum.

**Samoan Tsunami** · 11-20-2007, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by pigpen

Good job!!

I don't think it will fit the 2.7 though, I will have to do some digging around and compare images before I buy one for my magnum.

thanx guys.

pigpen, double check with BMCperformance. i think it was kris that said a 2.7 guy modded it to fit. dont know what was done though...

**the_saint** · 11-21-2007, 12:20 AM

can you post pics of it with a prospective from the front

**JamminWagon** · 11-21-2007, 12:23 AM

Sure glad I saw this, I didnt realize that there was moddin to the mod. I would have been pizzed if I bought this and didnt fit outta the box.

**pigpen** · 11-21-2007, 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by Samoan Tsunami

thanx guys.

pigpen, double check with BMCperformance. i think it was kris that said a 2.7 guy modded it to fit. dont know what was done though...

TB is the issue on the 2.7, but I might have to take a look at this for a future mod.

**PT Dub** · 11-21-2007, 01:00 AM

Nice Job S.T.
Thanks for sharing your install, pictures, terms, and past experiences.
I have to admit that I was in the camp that these were more of an esthetic mod than a performance one but it sounds that you have had enough response to uses them in your previous rides!

Thanks again, green beans for you!

**BUTWEET** · 11-21-2007, 01:08 AM

Great install and a fabulous write-up! Thanks for sharing this with us.

Ditto on beans!

**Magnum375 Jr** · 11-21-2007, 02:57 AM

I may do this mod, seeing this, when you were describing the problem i was thinking to myself, why dont we use washers, and then wammo, you did, awsome write up and pics.

**Samoan Tsunami** · 11-21-2007, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by the_saint

can you post pics of it with a prospective from the front

explain? the front as in just a standing front overhead?

Originally Posted by JamminWagon

Sure glad I saw this, I didnt realize that there was moddin to the mod. I would have been pizzed if I bought this and didnt fit outta the box.

sadly, in the world of the aftermarket, performance parts this is 90% of the problems/fun. was an easy fix though. definately not new to this area of moddin and cars.

Originally Posted by pigpen

TB is the issue on the 2.7, but I might have to take a look at this for a future mod.

def look into it. if anyone lives close and we ever meet up, if you have a 2.7, i dont mind removing mine to do a mock up test fit on your car for a sec.

Originally Posted by PT Dub

Nice Job S.T.
Thanks for sharing your install, pictures, terms, and past experiences.
I have to admit that I was in the camp that these were more of an esthetic mod than a performance one but it sounds that you have had enough response to uses them in your previous rides!

Thanks again, green beans for you!

thanx, brah! yeah this is def the basics of suspension. at least the way the SCCA guys i learned from have taught me. brace before you race. everything else will get to work at its fullest potential if you do. i was always told to add swaybars first, growing up. but when a local told me to remove the OVERLY LARGE bar i had on the rear of my j-body, and run only with the strut brace, then install the swaybar, i realized the swaybar was a bit large, since a good bit of the slop was taken out of the strut towers.

learned that day that no car from the factory is void of twists and slop. thats why serious race cars usually roll cage the factory frames...

Originally Posted by BUTWEET

Great install and a fabulous write-up! Thanks for sharing this with us.

Ditto on beans!

thanx, as well brah! hopefully some more to come soon.

Originally Posted by Magnum375 Jr.

I may do this mod, seeing this, when you were describing the problem i was thinking to myself, why dont we use washers, and then wammo, you did, awsome write up and pics.

as long as they arent plastic or rubber, it'll work. i know in the near future, i'll buy two small plates and make a template from the bases of the strut brace. so instead of using two washers per post, i'll have an entire place underneath thats the same height as the washers.

but that'll be a week or two.

**the_saint** · 11-21-2007, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by Samoan Tsunami

explain? the front as in just a standing front overhead?

sadly, in the world of the aftermarket, performance parts this is 90% of the problems/fun. was an easy fix though. definately not new to this area of moddin and cars.

def look into it. if anyone lives close and we ever meet up, if you have a 2.7, i dont mind removing mine to do a mock up test fit on your car for a sec.

thanx, brah! yeah this is def the basics of suspension. at least the way the SCCA guys i learned from have taught me. brace before you race. everything else will get to work at its fullest potential if you do. i was always told to add swaybars first, growing up. but when a local told me to remove the OVERLY LARGE bar i had on the rear of my j-body, and run only with the strut brace, then install the swaybar, i realized the swaybar was a bit large, since a good bit of the slop was taken out of the strut towers.

learned that day that no car from the factory is void of twists and slop. thats why serious race cars usually roll cage the factory frames...

thanx, as well brah! hopefully some more to come soon.

as long as they arent plastic or rubber, it'll work. i know in the near future, i'll buy two small plates and make a template from the bases of the strut brace. so instead of using two washers per post, i'll have an entire place underneath thats the same height as the washers.

but that'll be a week or two.

yes please...

**Samoan Tsunami** · 11-21-2007, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by the_saint

yes please...

**dodgerla** · 11-21-2007, 09:07 PM

Great write up and moding to make it fit Ive been thinking about doing this mod myself. After hearing the issues everyone has had with the bar makes me wonder why the builder doesnt correct these mistakes?