I know it is not a " race " application, but I have a question and this seemed like the most appropriate forum to post in. I have a '71 455 GS convertible with 475HP-525 lb/ft, 3.08 10 bolt rear end, TH400, and aftermarket adjustable upper and lower control arms. The car is a street application for cruising and hammering it from a stop. An all around funmobile set up for a very heavy right foot on the accelerator pedal. My question is whether the braces described in the following link are necessary, recommended, or even suggested for my application ? The link is: http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/suspension/trailing_arms.shtml The parts are called " Tubular Braces " and the Edelbrock part # is #5211. A guy told me I could tear up the rear end with over 500 lb/ft of torque and it was a good idea to stiffen up the axle mounting and rear end location with these braces. Just strengthen everything, better safe than sorry. Any opinions ?
Don't worry about it. I think that would be just wasted money. I'm running close to 600 ft/lb and don't have any problems. But it might be differnt on a convertibe? o No:
Those braces tie the upper and lower control arm mounts together. GM started using them on the early GTO 4 speed cars. Cars were flexing and cracking the rear crossmember! Yes, it would be a good idea, especially for a stick car. Repos are avail for about $100.
Was a thread about this not many days ago or maybe the thread wandered off about this but was one fella who wished he had listened and got some as them parts could of saved him thousands in damages when diaster struck.
Hi Guys, Hotchkis' brackets are MUCH better than Edelbrock's! And FAR superior to the stamped factory brackets. The Edelbrock's are tube but with stamped flats welded on. The Hotchkis are ALL tube construction. :Smarty: Here's a link for both A & G Bodies... http://store.summitracing.com/egnse...94908256+4294925130+4294839061+115+4294822513
A friend of mine destroyed a 67 Tempest, 421, 4speed, because he had no braces. You can't even maintain pinion angle if you have enough torque pulling on that flimsey crossmember. My 67 GS had none, but after I saw my friends car go to the junk yard, I bought some. The same torque that pushes your mighty muscle car to blazing speeds, is pulling on that thin peice of **** crossmember with the SAME EXACT FORCE! As for the braces...DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT 'EM.
When we built my stock suspension car we built them in bent tubes and welded them in place. I have seen more than one car crack there upper cross member from flex
Edelbrock makes a new brace which looks much better IMO. http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/suspension/frame_supports.shtml I have cracked a cross member in the past and that car maybe had 300HP. On my current build I will be installing some braces for sure.
Are those braces still needed if you install this: http://www.hrpartsandstuff.com/ # 1471 - Super Swaybar / Anti-Roll system for '68-'72 GM A-Body with GM 10 or 12 bolt housing (3" axle tubes): + Lower rear Control Arms '64-'72 GM A-Body I have the TA No Hop Bars installed allready, I believe they are called here: HR Upper NON-adjustable rear Control Arms '68-'72 A-Body.
