Author Topic: DDM's Shock Tower Brace (Read 5692 times)

Lucy'sDaddy · « **on:** January 17, 2009, 09:11:30 AM »

In case you missed it in the Pro-beam thread on the big forum, DDM is working on a shock tower brace for the Kappa cars. My question to DDM is will these clear the engines in BOTH the base and GXP's? When will it be available? How much?

snaponbob · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2009, 10:40:50 AM »

I am waiting for Dave's final pricing on these. As soon as he has that they will come available. They'll clear both engines.

Lucy'sDaddy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2009, 07:55:05 AM »

The power steering pump reservoir must be moved to over the battery on the GXP. Probably the Redline, also. They make a bracket to do that, and I'm assuming hoses, also.

snaponbob · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2009, 10:18:27 AM »

Well, that was on my "to do" list, but obviously that liitlle item will be getting moved up!!!!!

spicy3480 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2009, 11:18:42 AM »

Dave installed the shock tower brace on my car an relocated the power steering reservoir over the battery using their own bracket and new hoses. It is not only to fit the bar, but to get the power steering reservoir away from the heat of the turbo in the GXP. The brace is really great, functional, and looks awesome. When I added this and the backbone, it was a totally different car around high speed cornering...you can be much more confident around twisties and power is distributed equally...there is no side to side bias when really giving it the heavy foot.

Gunnys GXP · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2009, 12:30:37 PM »

So is the reservoir bracket included with the brace purchase or a seperate buy?

snaponbob · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2009, 01:22:59 PM »

Here is a link showing the brace and relocated P/S reservoir. http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f34/northeast-mod-meet-review-pictures-thank-yous-53344/#post797762

spicy3480 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2009, 02:40:00 PM »

Quote from: Gunnys GXP on January 18, 2009, 12:30:37 PM

So is the reservoir bracket included with the brace purchase or a seperate buy?

It's $75 for the power steering relocation kit. It's separate from the brace.

spicy3480 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2009, 02:42:00 PM »

Here are some pictures for you:

Power Steering Re-Location

Shock Tower Brace

Sly Bob · « **Reply #9 on:** January 18, 2009, 05:41:48 PM »

Is the DDMWorks Pro-Beam or a Strut tower brace a better option. I suspect that you should have both but if you could buy only one...

Frank I · « **Reply #10 on:** January 18, 2009, 05:51:22 PM »

Quote from: spiky3480 on January 18, 2009, 02:42:00 PM

Here are some pictures for you:

Spiky:

How much clearance is there from the top of your engine to the bottom of the brace? Also, how much clearance is there from the top of the brace to the hood?

It looks like a tight fit from the top of the engine to the brace and I'm in the process of fabricating a Stainless Coil Cover that will also cover the electrical harness which will be a bit higher then your DDM Coil Cover. Thanks for the reply and have a great day.

Frank I

spicy3480 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 18, 2009, 05:54:33 PM »

Frank,
There is not much clearance between the brace and the engine...I think maybe half an inch...just enough to not rub. Regarding the hood, I have no clue but I would say that there isn't much room there either. If it were a choice between a coil cover and a brace, I would go with the brace and just get a DDM coil cover. They are inexpensive and at least you know they will work together.

spicy3480 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2009, 05:56:00 PM »

Quote from: Sly Bob on January 18, 2009, 05:41:48 PM

Is the DDMWorks Pro-Beam or a Strut tower brace a better option. I suspect that you should have both but if you could buy only one...

It's hard to say...I would do a Backbone before both of the others. My first thought would be ProBeam before tower brace since we are rear wheel drive and that's where the power is getting put down.

Critterman · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2009, 07:21:56 PM »

I would go in this order
probeam
backbrace
shock tower

Gunnys GXP · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2009, 07:42:46 PM »

Looking at the pics above, I assume that the top engine heat shield has to be removed or will it still fit in there?

DeepBlueGXP · « **Reply #15 on:** January 18, 2009, 10:24:11 PM »

Correct, it won't fit with the engine cover or cloth shield.

duckSol · « **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2009, 10:59:50 PM »

I agree with critter and ditch the blankie

1KULSOL · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2009, 09:57:33 AM »

Quote from: Critterman on January 18, 2009, 07:21:56 PM

I would go in this order
probeam
backbrace
shock tower

perzackly the way to go ...

spicy3480 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2009, 01:46:42 PM »

The engine cover and cloth wrap must come off or it will not fit. I have not had any issues with hood clearance...it is not even rubbing at all.

Frank I · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2009, 02:39:22 PM »

Quote from: spiky3480 on January 18, 2009, 05:54:33 PM

Frank,
There is not much clearance between the brace and the engine...I think maybe half an inch...just enough to not rub. Regarding the hood, I have no clue but I would say that there isn't much room there either. If it were a choice between a coil cover and a brace, I would go with the brace and just get a DDM coil cover. They are inexpensive and at least you know they will work together.

Spiky:

Thanks for the reply.
I understand your response but I want to make a coil cover that will also cover the electrical harness which looks like crap sicking out there in the open. My idea is to fab a piece of stainless to cover the coils and the electrical harness by using standoffs high enough to cover the harness. It appears the cover will have to be about 1/4" to 3/8" higher then the DDM Coil Cover to accomplish my goal. I know that amount of height increase is possible if I do not want to place a shock tower brace on in the future, but knowing me, I think the shock brace may be in my future plans.

By the way, you guys up in the NY area have a great group of Solstice mod nuts, I'm jealous!!!

Frank I

That sounds like a great idea. The shock tower brace is well-worth it though. I would do that over a coil cover any day of the week.

We are nuts here in NY...I have even started to convert the "I'm never doing anything to my car" crowd into the modding world. It starts as simple as a stubby antenna LOL. That's where it started for me.

jrsno1fan · « **Reply #20 on:** January 19, 2009, 05:02:25 PM »

Quote from: Frank I on January 19, 2009, 02:39:22 PM

By the way, you guys up in the NY area have a great group of Solstice mod nuts, I'm jealous!!!

Frank I

Gee Frank thanks for totally throwing your Georgia crew under the bus!! LOL

Critterman · « **Reply #21 on:** January 19, 2009, 05:17:20 PM »

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Author Topic: DDM's Shock Tower Brace (Read 5692 times)

jrsno1fan