Who makes the best strut tower brace for a street/road race application?
I've hear Maier makes a good one. Will I need to porta-power the towers
apart to install?

I know this is the "Racing Forum" and you're question pertains to a racing application, but you may want to try asking your question over on M&M's "79 -93 Fox Mustang" Forum. Someone there may likely be able to give you some suggestions.....

I would if I could, but I can't, so I won't.

www.maximummotorsports.com

Steeda also makes a nice unit, but I don't know if it bolts to the pinch weld or not.

www.steeda.com

I did most of the same mods to my 1985 McLaren convertible. I added the Mustang convertible bracing, including "X" member, rocker reinforcements, and torque boxes.

I used a strut tower brace by JBA (J. Bittle in California). I did not find it necessary to spread the towers to install it (though my McLaren was only on the track a few times).

I modified the strut-tower brace slightly by adding a back-up brace inside the cowl with a couple extra bolts to spread the load input over a wider area of the cowl (it was accessible by taking off the upper cowl grille).

regards,

quote:

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Originally posted by cobrajeff:
I did most of the same mods to my 1985 McLaren convertible. I added the Mustang convertible bracing, including "X" member, rocker reinforcements, and torque boxes.
Jeff Burgy

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Jeff,
Wasn't your McLaren equipped with the Mustang convertible bracing as OE?

I made it as far as Indiana on I-64 before they shut down the interstate. Asked about going north to I-70 but they thought that was closed as well. Turned around and went back to St. Louis. I'll try for Cincy again tomorrow.

Good luck on your drive

The McLaren Capri convertibles were not equipped with the Mustang Convertible bracing from the factory.

roll bar

X-brace

The McLaren Capris started out as hatchbacks - the only body-style the Capri was offered in. American Sunroof would weld fender caps on the rear quarters, and install a notchback Mustang decklid, along with the convertible top mechanism and hard tonneau cover.

ASC had their own chassis stiffening scheme, which consisted of a major reinforcement of the tunnel area, welded securely to a rear bulkhead panel at the "B' pillar that formed the area where the two small storage compartments are. The tunnel reinforcement defines the outline of the unique console found in the McLaren convertibles.

When ASC switched from Capris to Mustangs in 1987, they still were getting notchback Mustang coupes rather than Mustang convertibles for a starting point. That way the McLaren Mustangs retained the distinctive 2-seat configuration and three-window convertible top.

regards,

Jeff

I understand your description on adding a brace behind the cowl mounting location of the strut tower brace,,,, but can you provide a bit more info on what you had to do inside the engine bay to install the strut tower brace?

From your pic, it appears that you were able to use the OE dual-snorkle air cleaner and it's associated ductwork - which is what I've been wanting to do with my '85 GT Convert. Most aftermarket strut tower braces I've seen for the early Fox body cars require that you loose the dual-snorkle cleaner & ductwork,,, and thus, would make me use an open element type air cleaner instead. Do you know off-hand who sells the JBA strut tower brace?

Thanks!
Ryan

I followed your description on adding a brace behind the cowl mounting location of the strut tower brace to spread the load,,,, but can you provide a bit more info on what you had to do (if anything) inside the engine bay to install the strut tower brace?

From your pic, it appears that you were able to use the OE dual-snorkle air cleaner and it's associated ductwork - which is what I've been wanting to do with my '85 GT Convert. Most aftermarket strut tower braces I've seen for the early Fox body cars require that you must loose the dual-snorkle cleaner & ductwork. I don't want to switch to an open element type air cleaner. Do you know off-hand who sells the JBA strut tower brace?

Thanks!
Ryan

Installing the JBA Strut Tower Brace was pretty simple. Had to drill a hole in the dash/cowl area (I drilled three), and one in each shock tower. The brace just bolts in to these locations. The front cross piece bolts to the tower brace, and is removable for engine service. It cleared everything pretty well - I did wrap the outer ends of the cross piece to avoid scratching the air cleaner snorkels.

Looking at JBA's website, it appears they no longer carry this item. Looks like they are concentrating more on exhaust products.

http://www.jbaracing.com/

You could give them a call at: (858)495-3395 (they are located in San Diego, CA)

regards,

Jeff

Ryan