A front swaybar brace, a good/useful idea?

[pagrunt]

Just saw this in my email from Ground Up.

1978-1983 Malibu Front Frame Sway Bar Brace, Black, Bolt on

1978-1983 Malibu Front Frame Sway Bar Brace, Black, Bolt on

www.ss396.com

With both the crossmember to frame & G.P. braces would this beneficial or just a race car add on?

 

[565bbchevy]

I feel like the GP bar is basically doing the same thing.

 

[UC645]

I feel like the GP bar is basically doing the same thing.

With the GP bar being round, it’s probably stiffer than the flat plate that this piece is made out of.

Looks kinda cheap to be honest

 

[64nailhead]

I agree with 565bbchevy - I don’t see how that is more advantageous than the factory jounce bars.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Probably not a good idea to induce more stress into the mounting bolts for the sway bar mounts. Probably why factory braces bolt into other locations. This brace would probably work better if modified into a Jeff bar for either the front or rear bumper shock mounts.

 

[random_farmhick]

Ok, so I know that there are several against the brace, but i'll be one, let's say "kinda" for it. It's better than nothing. It'll do a good job, almost better than the grand prix bar at keeping the frame rails from spreading, and I only say that because the grand prix bars have the bend in the middle of them. Now this bar will do absolutely nothing to keep the frame rails from wanting to collapse together though, which is where the grand prix bar will help with even though it has the bends, only because it is a more substantial piece. I know I've read where some people have issues with space running the grand prix bar, and this along with the factory jounce bars would be a good compromise. I didn't look, how much is a grand prix bar going for these days? depending on price it might be worth just buying this, but if the grand prix bar is cheaper go with it instead.

 

[Streetbu]

I use the UMI triangulated front frame brace and I noticed a big difference. Easy bolt on too.

 

[pagrunt]

I see I'm not the only one who don't see it as a positive add on. If it was a square or round bar I think it would make it a possible choice but being flat was what made me post this. Unless the flat design is ment for a ridged but flexible brace it might be a nice option. Being that I'm still tire kicking for the Jr. Mechanic I want to see what else there is out there to add to his future project that be an easy add on with a benifit. I do have a full set of OE front frame braces which I'll be helping him add.

 

[Ugly1]

The F41 braces are pretty much the best and cheap way to improve the stiffness. GNX would be the next step up and box or add boxed areas to the C-channel areas. Depending on what you want to do with the car. Straight line, “Rally” ? Add front and rear frame braces of box tubing from across the bumper brackets. Poly body mounting vs. rubber mounts. All add to stiffness of the frame and some to the body flex. Many can be salvage yard picked and save money vs. parts magazine. Monte SS front and rear swaybars. Olds and Pontiac front frame and body braces. Money saved can go towards the new parts. Box in the OEM control arms instead of buying after market.

 

[565bbchevy]

I made both of my jounce bars and GP bar out of rigid conduit, which is nearly twice as thick as the factory bars and I also made a crimper to put a nice crimp on the ends which I also used when I made fender to core support braces.
I feel like this set up made a vast improvement even over just having the stock set up.