Ordered it from GMPD, cost me 61 bucks shipped, gonna paint it, then install it. Can anyone offer any tips/things I should know before doing this? I'm very knowledgeable about my car, but have not done this before, I assume I just remove the two bolts at each end, line up the holes, and bolt it down? thanks.
I helped install one on a friends car a long time ago. You just pop it in on the strut towers like you said (some use 2 bolts some use 3, not sure about GM's product)
Id recommend bolting it to the firewall as well as it helps stiffen things up, we made a bracket in 2 places and welded it to the bar and bolted it to the firewall about 8 inches to the inside of each tower.
good luck!
do a search there are a few post about this. i just put mine on tonight for pics look in the p&m. you will have to make a bracket for the ecm mount to. i just cut mine and put it on the driver side
yellow22 wrote:do a search there are a few post about this. i just put mine on tonight for pics look in the p&m. you will have to make a bracket for the ecm mount to. i just cut mine and put it on the driver side
I have a 2000, my ECM is in the fender. I definitely intend to attach the bracket to the firewall. I'm still debating whether to put a couple more coats of gloss black on it, or get some rattle can UM Silver to "sorta" match my engine bay. Its the stock paint job under the hood, so its not exactly shiny and deep looking, so rattle can ought to suffice. What do ya'll think? Black or body color?
body color would look good just prep the bar right for paint so it doesnt flake off very fast
Yeah, was gonna scotchbrite it smooth, then some 000 or 0000 steel wool it, tack rag it, then spray it in the booth at work to keep dust off. I may even throw a thin tack coat of white on it, to make the silver pop a little better.
sounds like you got it down will look awsome
I just looked at the pics of yours, and compared your firewall to mine. Mine doesn't have that stock bolt, so should I just use a sheetmetal screw, or figure out a way to get a nut/bolt up in there?
How the hell is your pic in my post?
odd...
unless it was a freak thing when I loaded the page this time...
^No this happened to me in my post. I think it is a glitch in the JBO. I was pissed when I thought someone stole my sig, but now I saw this...
I just installed my Vibrant Front and Rear strut bars, it was pretty straight forward and easy, but i had to beat the crap outta my computer bracket cuz i have a 2005 sunfire and the computer is like in the way, i end up cut the bracket in half and re mounted 3 screws to hold it up. Is the GM one adjustable? If it is, you twist the middle of the bar to adjust it, just to let you know, cuz i was standing there for like 45 minutes trying to see how am i suppose to adjust it lol...
My CarDomain!!! ---
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2543660
I don't believe its adjustable, just looks like a bent tube with a bracket welded on each end. I won't have the computer problems either, nor any cruise control issues, I have no cruise, and my car is a 2k. PCM is in the passenger fender.
BTW, your 'fire looks good. Needs rims and a drop though, then that car will look killer. And yes, I need a drop too. Working on that though. (*grumbles* f-ing bills *grumbles*)
Hmm, I wonder if I ought to put in my car profile that I have a limited edition Earnhardt license plate.
Nah.
Thanks, will definitely do that. (anticipates need to purchase grade 5 bolt/nut, and a large flat washer and one star-type lock washer).
i thought you need to jack up the car before you install those bars? i read somewhere( i think cardomain) that this is the common mistake of installing strut bars.you need to lift the car then install those bars for equal tension. well i just read it and followed it.just correct me if i am wrong.
mine was a cheap one from ebay.can't find a vibrant that can be shipped in my place...
when I did mine, I just drilled the firewall, pulled up the wiper cowel and use a nut a bolt with a lock washer and nut on the inside of the fire wall and a washer and bolt on the outside. I can get pics later on it you would like.
2009 Ford Mustang V6
abduljakul wrote:i thought you need to jack up the car before you install those bars? i read somewhere( i think cardomain) that this is the common mistake of installing strut bars.you need to lift the car then install those bars for equal tension. well i just read it and followed it.just correct me if i am wrong.
mine was a cheap one from ebay.can't find a vibrant that can be shipped in my place...
I haven't heard that. I will however be installing it with the car as level as I can park it though just to be sure things are even when I tighten the fasteners.
The01Cav, a pic would be cool, if anything just for reference. Another thing I plan to do is get a rubber or felt washer to put there between the tab the bolt goes through and the firewall to keep it from messing up the paint.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Thursday, July 12, 2007 9:36 AM
Yeah, I've been told to ensure the car is sitting perfectly level with all the tires properly inflated / inflated to how you will drive the car.
I was happy when I heard my car ran 10s. Then I found out that was 0-60.
Definitely nice. BTW, how much difference/what sort of difference did you notice after installing that? I am not lowered YET, and my car came with the FE0 suspension (no anti-sway bar).
I fully intend to do that, once GMPD gets off their collective asses and ships the thing to me.
Another thing I'm gonna have to do is relocate my alarm siren that I just had installed. They didn't ask me where I wanted it mounted, and like a dummy I completely forgot to specify NOT on the firewall. Oh well, easy fix, maybe it'll work where its at, I notice yours is about where mines at.
It stiffened up the front end alot, my car originally had the FE-0 suspension package.
2009 Ford Mustang V6
Noticeably different?
I have one comming in, i may get a rear and then do sway bars, only if i would notice the difference.
GMPD finally shipped it Monday evening, expecting delivery Thursday, problem is, I have a computer class at work (not that I need it, but looks good on the resume) and I won't be home to accept delivery. BOO! So I will hopefully see it friday.
Wow I was hoping to get mine within a week, awesome. Should've just sucked up the extra $10 from the dealer..........I am not destined to own a GM strut brace, first I got ripped off $40 through a forum member, and now I'll be waiting weeks for it.
Awesome.
