What is the point of Fender Braces

[rfalker1]

was looking at getting a pair of fender braces from hotchkis, but wanted to know peoples opinion before i buy them

[rfalker1]

nevermnd, i bought them

[JRouche]

Ok, so now that you bought them tell us. Whats your opinion? Any help? Did they increase the performance or are they show pieces.

Yeah, I know. You just bought them, haven't installed them yet. But when you do please give your opinions after driving with them for the other folks benny. Might make a nice product review, good or not, still great info. JR

[rfalker1]

Sure, sure, but I am not sure it will be quite accurate, because I am doing a total suspension overhaul from frame connectors to drop spring, shocks control arms and sway bars and even tie rod sleeves. But I think they will be more for show, and because my engine bay is being completely cleaned then I want finish the deal with those.

[Steve Chryssos]

Fender braces are not designed to help handling. Their purpose is to keep your sheetmetal in alignment. Without them, the nose of your car can move around causing door to fender gaps to change and other issues. Picture the nose of your car as a three dimensional cube, then grab the top and bottom of the cube and twist in opposite directions.

[garickman]

Fender braces are not designed to help handling. Their purpose is to keep your sheetmetal in alignment. Without them, the nose of your car can move around causing door to fender gaps to change and other issues. Picture the nose of your car as a three dimensional cube, then grab the top and bottom of the cube and twist in opposite directions.

Just out of curiosity, why does it seem like only f-body cars have fender braces? Why don't larger cars have them like A bodies?

[critter]

I'm guessing it's a full frame VS subframe deal.

[ZuperZport]

I just got the awesome Twist Machine Fender Braces (Core Support Bars) installed in my Camaro.

These things are a work of art!

Not only super sharp looking but will also keep the sheetmetal in place under stress.

You guys got to get a set of these from Twist Machine.

www.twistmachine.com

Superior Quality. Tremendous Value. Class all the way!

[jpdeuce]

Why do Camaros have them and Novas that have the same set up do not?

[LowBuckX]

Why do Camaros have them and Novas that have the same set up do not?

dunno butI put them on my 72 and they made a big dif in hood?fender shake while driving. I have no Inner wheel wells

[MonzaRacer]

The actual use was to shore up the sheet metal rigidity of the Fcar when beat on. As it they got in way some racers removed them and found other things acting up. Turns out the engineers arent so stupid. by triangulating the sheet metal and stiffening up the radsupport bushings actually tie the dog house and subframe to the body structure.
Also conducive to handling are rear compartment braces that tie into the firewall.
This was a surprise to me, but my friend had a car that had been road raced with that type as well as fender braces. he had them in trunk, After we reinstalled doghouse, the car felt kind of floppy, installed the fender braces, big difference (it already has poly bushings for rad support) we installed the rear fender/firewall tie back in and whoa, BIG difference.
Its all structure and all triangulating to the car,,,and heck if they look good go for it!

[Hotchkis]

was looking at getting a pair of fender braces from hotchkis, but wanted to know peoples opinion before i buy them

Hi Rfalker1,

Thanks for buying the Hotchkis Fender Braces.

Once you've installed them, you’ll probably feel a difference, but the reasoning behind their development is to tie the front sheetmetal together by triangulating the front fenders to the radiator support. This adds much needed rigidity to the car, without a lot of added weight.

[Twentyover]

.....Also conducive to handling are rear compartment braces that tie into the firewall.
This was a surprise to me, but my friend had a car that had been road raced with that type as well as fender braces. he had them in trunk, After we reinstalled doghouse, the car felt kind of floppy, installed the fender braces, big difference (it already has poly bushings for rad support) we installed the rear fender/firewall tie back in and whoa, BIG difference.
Its all structure and all triangulating to the car,,,and heck if they look good go for it!

Having some trouble visualizing what you're describing.How do the rear compartment braces tie into the firewall? Through the pass compartment? You can see my confusoion.

[zbugger]

Having some trouble visualizing what you're describing.How do the rear compartment braces tie into the firewall? Through the pass compartment? You can see my confusoion.

The rear firewall. That panel behind the back seat. Something like this works well on 2nd gens too.

[The Stickman]

Just out of curiosity, why does it seem like only f-body cars have fender braces? Why don't larger cars have them like A bodies?

My B-body wagon has them.

[Randy67]

Why do Camaros have them and Novas that have the same set up do not?

They help on A-bodies as well. My 73 Monte Carlo had them, looked just like the 2nd gen F-body ones.

[DarkoNova]

So basically, every car other than Novas had them. Thanks, GM!

[MarkM66]

So basically, every car other than Novas had them. Thanks, GM!

Well no. All early A bodies (the ones anyone cares about :wink: ) didn't have them.

Like you said, all Nova's. etc.

I had a '68 Camaro that didn't have them, I then installed them and never could tell a difference. But it was just a driver.

[rfalker1]

Wow thanks for all the input, I had been away recently and couldn't respond but i feel as if I have just went to school, and learned all about triangles progressing further with my mechanical engineering degree. Lol But seriously thank you, it does make a lot sense that they would help eliminate front end sheet medal vibration, which would allow for a smoother ride. I shall post plenty of pictures whenever I get them installed!!!!! after I drop this 383 in of course