I want to design and build new export braces. However, I need to know what their function is first. I need something that doesn't get in the way as much as the current ones I have right now. Thinking about using heim joints but don't know if that will work. It would be nice having something that can be taken on and off easily.
Mo, The purpose of these simply is that they help eliminate shock tower flex, which will change your steering angles a bit. If they don't move, then the suspension stays put and goes through its design angles better. Heim joints? ... suggests movement to me. Have you seen these? First rate! .... I'll bet these don't move.... not going to be convenient to remove and replace fast.... http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=81079 Personally, since mine build goal is for a look that suggests factory options for the car (real or not ... a good "what if ..."), I am going to likely build a one piece unit out of a repopped Mustang brace, like Dennis Martin's tech article, and combine that with a Monte Carlo bar out front.
MC bar with Heim joints is more eye candy. A MC bar shouldn't have moving parts because it can move and can't do its job. The MC bar with a curve to clear the distributor will flex in the curve and will act more like a stiff spring between point A and point B. Even if you tie the MC bar to the shock tower supports with Heim joints things still move under harsh conditions. In a perfect world the perfect MC bar should straight, not curved, and attached to both shock towers.
Got it, that's very helpful information. So the heim is out of the question. I do road racing with the car so decreasing unnecessary suspension travel would be important.
Question: I am wondering if adding any bar, minus the Heims be better than -- No bar or bracing between tower for the intended purpose?
I've done a little canyon carving and autocrossing with some early Mustangs and on my first car I used a "real deal" export brace (they were a little more heavy duty and the 4 top bolts were placed differently) with a stiffener on the bottom and top where it mounts to the firewall. I also used a MC bar..........and had quite a lot of success as it tightened up the front end and I was able to keep a good front end lineup longer. Then I changed to MPG's setup; http://www.mpgheads.com/export_brace.php and their MCB http://www.mpgheads.com/monte_carlo_brace.php It made access a lot easier and my autocross times actually increased a couple of tenths. I also have one of their export braces on my Maverick drag car;
Now I'm going to talk about more race than street here, so don't come unglued.................in race conditions a ridgid export/MCB are just not adviseable..................because they don't give...............and I'm talking about extreme conditions..........................and if something doesn't give it will break or find the weakest point where all of the torsional/lateral force is applied........................... The Heim joints don't move but do take up some of the flex, kind of like a PanHard Bar..............or my Global West Lower Control Arms or the Strut Rod which sees the same type of torsional/lateral thrust. Having things ridgid transfers all the energy to the weakest point...........usually the frame or unibody depending on where you pick to be a mounting place. I've tried both on early Mustangs that were canyon carvers and autocross. I even use one on my Maverick drag car. Take a look at any full on race car and I bet you will not see any solid type of strengthening bar.................they all have Heim Joints, and for a very good reason.
Hi Everett, how things? I have the export brace made from heim joints and stainless tubing, and it is pretty stiff. The car doesn't have the cowl shake it had before I replaced the stock braces. It handles much better, and corners a lot better. I have a MC bar from Topporanger, but have to get my a/c bracket redone before it will fit. It is a curved bar around the distributer, but for a street car, it should be more than adequate. I'll let you know when I get the bracket fixed and the m/c bar on. Later,
I would think that the adjustabilty of a bar with threaded ends and heim joints would be a good thing. You would be able to adjust it for different conditions.
