Rear Shock Tower Brace - 2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club

torchredmach · 11-10-2006, 10:07 PM

Anybody have a rear shock tower brace? Is it worth it? I don't think I've ever even seen my rear shock towers, how much work is it to install a rear brace? If you change upper and lower rear control arms, add subframe connectors, and change suspension, etc, will any of that affect whether or not you can have/need a rear shock tower brace?

http://www.americanmuscle.com/steeda...wer-brace.html

3150Mach1 · 11-10-2006, 10:18 PM

I like this one:

http://blueovalindustries.bluekeyinc...ts.php?pid=629

DTMach1 · 11-10-2006, 10:50 PM

It is a must if you have rear coil overs...but it should tighten up the rear a little.

torchredmach · 11-10-2006, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTMach1

It is a must if you have rear coil overs...but it should tighten up the rear a little.

What are rear coil overs? I have stock suspension so do I need a rear shock brace?

DTMach1 · 11-11-2006, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by torchredmach

What are rear coil overs? I have stock suspension so do I need a rear shock brace?

You don't NEED one, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt. I would spend my money on struts, LCA's before a rear STB though.

Macho 1 · 11-12-2006, 02:36 PM

Are the blue oval ones bolt in or weld in?

Thanks

SPDASND · 11-12-2006, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macho 1

Are the blue oval ones bolt in or weld in?

Thanks

They are bolt-in and in my opinion their directions are junk. Nonetheless, its in my car and looks bada**. It also doubles as a holder for my toolbag and carcover just behind the seat :OOPS:

torchredmach · 11-12-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDASND

They are bolt-in and in my opinion their directions are junk. Nonetheless, its in my car and looks bada**. It also doubles as a holder for my toolbag and carcover just behind the seat :OOPS:

Do you have pics? Does it go through the trunk right behind the rear seats?

SPDASND · 11-12-2006, 04:49 PM

its dark from the crappy rain all day, but here you go. this is the only spot it fit really snug between the liner without warping/cracking. If I did it over again, I'd get a different brand.

3150Mach1 · 11-12-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDASND

its dark from the crappy rain all day, but here you go. this is the only spot it fit really snug between the liner without warping/cracking. If I did it over again, I'd get a different brand.

Thanks for posting. So what other brand would you choose????

Army_Mach03 · 11-12-2006, 07:48 PM

I have the Kenny Brown rear strut tower. To me it was the finishing touch on my suspension.

SPDASND · 11-12-2006, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03Mach150BP

Thanks for posting. So what other brand would you choose????

Kenny Brown

3150Mach1 · 11-12-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDASND

Kenny Brown

Where do you get them?

SPDASND · 11-12-2006, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03Mach150BP

Where do you get them?

his business shut down due to some personal issues I think. I thought I read that he was coming back, but be weary if you find someone selling them. His website states they are fakes.

Army_Mach03 · 11-13-2006, 10:05 AM

Kenny Brown went out of business but another guy took over the building and is still making suspension parts in his name. I was just in Indy and had this put in about two weeks ago. Still makes great products without the high price that Kenny Brown was charging. That's why he went out of business.

Army_Mach03 · 11-13-2006, 10:12 AM

If you call JR at Full Throttle Performance in Indy, he can hook you up with anything you need with Kenny Browns name on it.. Telephone # 1-866-325-FAST.

Phil · 11-13-2006, 11:55 AM

This is the rear adjustable shock tower brace I'll be installing this winter. It fully encompasses the the shock tower.

http://www.cheperformance.com/cartgenie/prod-175.htm

http://www.cheperformance.com/instru.../CHE7HFull.pdf

SPDASND · 11-13-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

This is the rear adjustable shock tower brace I'll be installing this winter. It fully encompasses the the shock tower.

now THAT is the best one I have seen!

machowner · 11-13-2006, 12:13 PM

What is a rear shock tower braces supposed to be doing? I thought that they keep the shock towers even with each other but I don't see how the one posted by Phil would do that with the joints that connect the bar to the tower plates. So what kind of flexing do shock tower braces stop?

machgsxr · 11-13-2006, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

This is the rear adjustable shock tower brace I'll be installing this winter. It fully encompasses the the shock tower.

http://www.cheperformance.com/cartgenie/prod-175.htm

http://www.cheperformance.com/instru.../CHE7HFull.pdf

How good would this be with a panhard bar?

Would one even be necessary?

Any input would be great.

Thanks,
Archie

Phil · 11-13-2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by machowner

What is a rear shock tower braces supposed to be doing? I thought that they keep the shock towers even with each other but I don't see how the one posted by Phil would do that with the joints that connect the bar to the tower plates. So what kind of flexing do shock tower braces stop?

Shock tower brace is to prevent longitudinal (fore/aft) and lateral (left/right/inwards/outwards) movement.

With the triangular mounting bracket pattern you have 2 bolts on shock tower & 2 bolts on trunk floor rear subframe. This alone produces a stiffening brace between the shock tower & chassis preventing longitudinal/lateral movement. It acts like a reinforcement plate. Especially when it's welded in, which is what I plan on doing. Now you add the cross bar that can be preloaded. I know CHE was making a sold, non-adjustable brace.

machowner · 11-13-2006, 04:59 PM

Thanks Phil. I was looking for the non-adjustable one that is shown on the first step of the instructions but couldn't find it.

Phil · 11-13-2006, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by machowner

Thanks Phil. I was looking for the non-adjustable one that is shown on the first step of the instructions but couldn't find it.

I'm not sure why they don't list it anymore? Probably have to e-mail them to see if they still have them, which I'm sure they do! I remember the price was like $99 for that one.

Aerowrench · 11-13-2006, 05:21 PM

In a Drag race situation the LCA are in compression, UCA in tension with the rear spring mounts supporting the entire car @ 100% weight transfer (front wheels in the air) If you have rear coilovers - definitely you need a brace as the weight is now supported by the shock towers.
Not so sure with factory rear suspension.
The braces were designed more for Road Race cars (torsional flex)
Wouldn't hurt anything though.

C-dub · 11-14-2006, 05:31 PM

i'm running with the kenny brown and like it alot.

dub

11-10-2006, 10:07 PM	#1
torchredmach Stock Gatorbacks > Slicks Join Date: May 2006 Location: MN Posts: 1,441	Rear Shock Tower Brace Anybody have a rear shock tower brace? Is it worth it? I don't think I've ever even seen my rear shock towers, how much work is it to install a rear brace? If you change upper and lower rear control arms, add subframe connectors, and change suspension, etc, will any of that affect whether or not you can have/need a rear shock tower brace? http://www.americanmuscle.com/steeda...wer-brace.html __________________ 2004 Torch Red Mach 1 w/ Al Papitto 32-Valve 5.4L Jon Lund Tuned for E85 First '13 GT500 running on ethanol and stock fuel system. World's Fastest Standing Mile Stock Supercharger GT500 - 197.2mph Texas Mile 3/22/2014 www.facebook.com/jordanweirracing

11-10-2006, 10:18 PM	#2
3150Mach1 Love my Mach Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 13,678	Re: Rear Shock Tower Brace I like this one: http://blueovalindustries.bluekeyinc...ts.php?pid=629 __________________ 2003 slowmatic 11.105@117mph w/125 shot of Nitrous best to date Kooks LTsw/OR X, elect cutouts, JLT RAI w/C&L 85 MAH,1" Spacer,PP Lower intake,Accufab TB,160 T-stat,EF Cooling Mod,NX Kit,Mez Electric Water pump,SLP Linelock,FRPP 4.10s-Alum Dif Cover-Alum Driveshaft & SL, Steeda Bumpsteer,MM Alum rack bushings,Deep Alum Tranny pan,Predator,Steeda AUCAs,MM ALCAs, Dspecs,MM CC plates & FLSFCs,MRT Guage cluster,AEM WB,MRT hood struts,Seq TLs, carbon fiber hood/trunk/Cobra wing,220 amp alt

11-10-2006, 10:50 PM	#3
DTMach1 semi-pro moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 4,955	Re: Rear Shock Tower Brace It is a must if you have rear coil overs...but it should tighten up the rear a little. __________________ 2004 Mach 1 IUP/5spd/DSG Engine, etc done...sits in the garage

11-12-2006, 02:36 PM	#6
Macho 1 Moose Magnet Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 357	Re: Rear Shock Tower Brace Are the blue oval ones bolt in or weld in? Thanks __________________ 04 Azure Blue Mach 1 K&N CAI, Steeda 2pt strut brace, Sport Springs, U&L Rear CA, & Tri-ax Shifter, SS Brakelines, X2 Balljoints and Adj Tie rods. Fiore Quadrant & MM CC Plates, HD Bilsteins, Roy's 1/2" spacer, XCal2, 17"x9" wheels, Bassani catted X, Magnaflow Catback RWHP: 285 @5100, FWTQ: 351@4300, FWHP 335@6100

11-12-2006, 04:49 PM	#9
SPDASND Centrifuged Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ranson, WV Posts: 1,019	Re: Rear Shock Tower Brace its dark from the crappy rain all day, but here you go. this is the only spot it fit really snug between the liner without warping/cracking. If I did it over again, I'd get a different brand. __________________ '04 - Black - 6spd. F1A @ 17psi, 8-rib, built motor, built IRS, T56, 4.10s, open-track goodies

11-12-2006, 07:48 PM	#11
Army_Mach03 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Columbia, South Carolina Posts: 205	Re: Rear Shock Tower Brace I have the Kenny Brown rear strut tower. To me it was the finishing touch on my suspension. Attached Thumbnails

11-13-2006, 10:05 AM	#15
Army_Mach03 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Columbia, South Carolina Posts: 205	Re: Rear Shock Tower Brace Kenny Brown went out of business but another guy took over the building and is still making suspension parts in his name. I was just in Indy and had this put in about two weeks ago. Still makes great products without the high price that Kenny Brown was charging. That's why he went out of business.

11-13-2006, 10:12 AM	#16
Army_Mach03 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Columbia, South Carolina Posts: 205	Re: Rear Shock Tower Brace If you call JR at Full Throttle Performance in Indy, he can hook you up with anything you need with Kenny Browns name on it.. Telephone # 1-866-325-FAST.

11-13-2006, 11:55 AM	#17
Phil Nitrous Junkie Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,299	Re: Rear Shock Tower Brace This is the rear adjustable shock tower brace I'll be installing this winter. It fully encompasses the the shock tower. http://www.cheperformance.com/cartgenie/prod-175.htm http://www.cheperformance.com/instru.../CHE7HFull.pdf __________________ Phil PRB Machining, LLC http://www.prbmachining-absdeleteman...com/index.html Performance mods by Jeff Chambers, the owner/tuner of CRT Performance in Norwalk, Ohio http://www.crt-performance.com/

11-13-2006, 12:13 PM	#19
machowner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TN Posts: 1,455	Re: Rear Shock Tower Brace What is a rear shock tower braces supposed to be doing? I thought that they keep the shock towers even with each other but I don't see how the one posted by Phil would do that with the joints that connect the bar to the tower plates. So what kind of flexing do shock tower braces stop? __________________ 2004 Azure Blue, 5sp. Build Date: 1/24/2004 Other: 2000 Lincoln LS V8, White Pearlescent Tri-Coat 1995 F-150 4x4, 5.0, duals, custom interior

11-13-2006, 04:59 PM	#22
machowner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TN Posts: 1,455	Re: Rear Shock Tower Brace Thanks Phil. I was looking for the non-adjustable one that is shown on the first step of the instructions but couldn't find it. __________________ 2004 Azure Blue, 5sp. Build Date: 1/24/2004 Other: 2000 Lincoln LS V8, White Pearlescent Tri-Coat 1995 F-150 4x4, 5.0, duals, custom interior

11-13-2006, 05:21 PM	#24
Aerowrench Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Owasso, OK Posts: 297	Re: Rear Shock Tower Brace In a Drag race situation the LCA are in compression, UCA in tension with the rear spring mounts supporting the entire car @ 100% weight transfer (front wheels in the air) If you have rear coilovers - definitely you need a brace as the weight is now supported by the shock towers. Not so sure with factory rear suspension. The braces were designed more for Road Race cars (torsional flex) Wouldn't hurt anything though. __________________ `03 Torch Red Mach

11-14-2006, 05:31 PM	#25
C-dub Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fort Bragg. NC Posts: 1,558	Re: Rear Shock Tower Brace i'm running with the kenny brown and like it alot. dub __________________ what is it about modding my mach that makes me want to "Jimmy Dean" it into a tanker truck filled with gasoline at 150 mph???

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