Need input re BMR strut tower brace

[Snowbird]

Anything that would reduce body roll would make my G8 GT near perfect, so when an associate sent me a link to BMR's strut tower brace, I looked into it and ordered one. But now I'm not so sure.

For one, I assumed installation would be easy. Instead it involves removing the ABS harness and a black box, dealing with the MAF filter, disconnecting brake lines and generally working in extremely tight space. No way would I attempt this myself, and since I'm under warranty I really don't want an independent shop to do it either, unless they have a lot of experience with G8s. Precision Motorsports, the only shop that qualifies, would require a round trip of about 250 miles. So I'd have my very good Florida dealer install it (Palm Chevrolet in Punta Gorda). The service manager agreed to take it on but had never installed one before and could only estimate the time required at two to four hours.

A tech at VMS confirmed the installation challenge, adding that the Pedders version is even more difficult. Then he added that the BMR design doesn't tighten up the chassis much anyway. That's an even bigger concern: After spending $200 for the unit plus $190-$380 for installation, then having to remove and re-install it whenever I need to access the engine, I sure as heck want it to do its job of stiffening the front end!

So I'm on the verge of returning it. All I'd lose is a 15% stocking fee and my cost to ship it back.

Input and suggestions welcomed, especially from any and all who have installed one of these. I still might go ahead if someone here who has had the BMR unit installed for a while disagrees with the VMS tech and says instead that the BMR strut tower brace produces significant handling improvement.

[Darkside]

I honestly don't think it does much if anything at all. It does dress up the engine compartment a bit. As far as installation goes, its not that bad. I did it in less than an hour and was taking my time. You don't have to take any brake lines off.

Vector had to remove mine when installing my ported intake, and their tech was a bit annoyed by it

[jcar]

Snowbird,

A strut tower brace simply adds a link to and rigidity at the top of the front struts. The real need for it is determined by the designed rigidity of the front-end of the car. It helps keep your suspension geometry stable when you load the front suspension in hard turns. IMO, on the G8 a strut brace is more a cosmetic engine bay thing, if you are not racing or driving the car hard often.

If you are looking to reduce body roll, you may want to spend your money on more rigid roll/sway bars and/or better roll bar bushing that reduce some of the "mush" in the front and rear-end. Pedders's web site has some good education videos and quality products for the G8 suspension. The G8 handles well from the factory, but you can always do better than stock. It just depends on what you really want and how much money you want to spend to get it.

Speed is expensive, so how fast you want to go, $$$$.....????

[BigV8]

Originally Posted by jcar

Snowbird,

A strut tower brace simply adds a link to and rigidity at the top of the front struts. The real need for it is determined by the designed rigidity of the front-end of the car. It helps keep your suspension geometry stable when you load the front suspension in hard turns. IMO, on the G8 a strut brace is more a cosmetic engine bay thing, if you are not racing or driving the car hard often.

If you are looking to reduce body roll, you may want to spend your money on more rigid roll/sway bars and/or better roll bar bushing that reduce some of the "mush" in the front and rear-end. Pedders's web site has some good education videos and quality products for the G8 suspension. The G8 handles well from the factory, but you can always do better than stock. It just depends on what you really want and how much money you want to spend to get it.

Speed is expensive, so how fast you want to go, $$$$.....????

I agree with this. Get it lowered a bit and some bushing will work better.Also if you plan on adding a supercharger the brace is out.

[Snowbird]

Thanks to all! I looked into bushings but the strut brace offered a cosmetic benefit too, especially in red to match my wheels and seats. Based on what you guys have said, though -- especially Darkside's "I honestly don't think it does much if anything at all" -- I will explore bushings again.

My primary goal is to reduce the G8's "floatiness" without creating a rougher ride. I'd like it to be more nailed down for occasional fun at a road course track, without losing the ride quality which makes it a better daily driver than the blue beast below that cost three times as much.

Thicker stabilizer bars could help too, I guess. My only reservation aboiut them came after reading that the GT was faster in a slalom comparison to the GXP. The automotive journalist who wrote that said the extra weight of the thicker stabilizer bar in back may have contributed to a "pendulum" effect. So, for now, I'm leaning towards bushings over new stabilizer bars.

Still welcoming input though, so fire away!

[DRCUSTOMPARTS]

Bigger swaybars won't change the ride or improve the floatiness, they keep the car flatter in the corners and that's all. You will need new struts and springs to do that.

[Snowbird]

Originally Posted by DRCUSTOMPARTS

Bigger swaybars won't change the ride or improve the floatiness, they keep the car flatter in the corners and that's all. You will need new struts and springs to do that.

I'd consider new struts and springs only if they have a solid warranty, are from a known company, and if there's some way to test drive a G8 that is so equipped before I buy & have them installed. Otherwise they're too expensive, and I don't want to chance getting a stiffer ride. I'm in SW Florida now and will be heading to SE Michigan in late May, so suggestions are welcomed for places to stop where I might be able to check out such a car.

Some owners have suggested that simply changing certain bushings from OEM rubber to Pedders poly would help with the floatiness. Plus bushings are a lot cheaper than springs & struts. Now that I think about it, Precision Motorsports suggested that too, although they had no cars so modified when I was last there. So maybe I'll give them a call. What do you think of that approach? Has anyone here tried bushings alone, and if so, which ones & how would you characterize their effects on ride, handling, and floatiness?

[DRCUSTOMPARTS]

Bushings really won't eliminate the floatiness, they will tighten up the looseness of the car when turning or making lane changes, but the struts & springs keep the car from floating down the road. With any mods there are always tradeoffs, and to get a more controlled feel on the road you will have to sacrifice ride quality to a certain degree. Most of the feedback I read about Pedders struts and springs indicate they give the car better control without being overly harsh.

[BMWHunter]

Originally Posted by DRCUSTOMPARTS

Bushings really won't eliminate the floatiness, they will tighten up the looseness of the car when turning or making lane changes, but the struts & springs keep the car from floating down the road. With any mods there are always tradeoffs, and to get a more controlled feel on the road you will have to sacrifice ride quality to a certain degree. Most of the feedback I read about Pedders struts and springs indicate they give the car better control without being overly harsh.

Totally agree. Bushings will tighten and stabilize things...struts and springs will reduce the float...sway bars will reduce the roll when cornering. To get a compromise setup in terms of ride quality, it all depends on what you select and can afford for that matter. Some setups are harsh, some like Pedders are more compliant without losing their firmness.