Thread: My GTP!!!!

yeah thoes diagonals are Key, he did replace it with a rear one, but that wont complely stop torsion

Originally Posted by Mad Monkey

yeah thoes diagonals are Key, he did replace it with a rear one, but that wont complely stop torsion

The strut tower brace serves a completely different function. It keeps the unibody from flexing by bracing the strut towers (usually the source of flex) to themselves.

The diagonal braces add strength to the radiator support. Any time you accelerate an equal force is being applied to the radiator support in the form of a pull through the upper motor mounts. The radiator support is not designed nor strong enough to deal with this on its own. The diagonal braces transfer that stress to the strut towers (some of the strongest points of the car) so that it can be dispersed into the rest of the unibody. Note how there are two bolts holding them to the radiator support and only one to the strut towers. This is so that as force is applied the geometry of the braces at the radiator end stays the same and the bolt at the strut tower end simply needs to act as an anchor.

The strut tower brace is in no way a replacement for the diagonal braces. I wish I still had the pics of an Impala that had run for a few days without them. You could easily see the warping of the radiator support.

Nice, glad i learned something new.. i knew it wasnt right to remve em at least LOL