What's the real reason that I can't run a rear 97-03 stb on my 04? Is it because the bolt patterns differ on the rear strut mount?

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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2
MODS: Wizaired|Custom DHP Tune|180° Thermostat|DR F/R Brackets w/GMPP STB's|UMI Trailing Arms|Bilstein HDs w/SSC|Projector Retro|Black SPO Grilles and Spoiler|SS Inserts Rear Inlay|ZZP Volt. Booster & Alt Rewire

Gmpp one is solid/thicker aka better for handling..less body roll

Sent from my SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

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Talking about STBs. Not sway bars. I was wondering why 04-08 can't use a 97-03 rear STB.

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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2
MODS: Wizaired|Custom DHP Tune|180° Thermostat|DR F/R Brackets w/GMPP STB's|UMI Trailing Arms|Bilstein HDs w/SSC|Projector Retro|Black SPO Grilles and Spoiler|SS Inserts Rear Inlay|ZZP Volt. Booster & Alt Rewire

Wow totally misread this thread lol

Sent from my SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

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Jason - why do you need to use a 97-03 STB? I have a GMPP Rear STB and am using Don Rome's brackets and it works great! What have you been up to on your vehicle?

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2009 G8 GT -Sport and Premium Pkgs, Roto-Fab CAI, Cortex 93 Octane Tune, Billet Prototype Catch Can, BMR Front and Rear Sways, BMR RTAs, BMR Rear Cradle Bushings, BMR Steering Rack Bushing, GXP SW......and much more to come.

I have 97-03 STB's on the front and rears of my 05 GP. I used Don Rome's brackets and everything bolted up perfectly.

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Well I've got DR brackets with the gmpp bars, front and rear. But when I get my student loan refund, I was gonna do a rear suspension refresh. Which was gonna include maybe a new STB, one that utilizes all 3 bolts on the strut tower. Unless there's not much of a difference. I've just seen soooo many people say that unless it encases the strut tower and uses all 3 bolts, the tower can still flex.

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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2
MODS: Wizaired|Custom DHP Tune|180° Thermostat|DR F/R Brackets w/GMPP STB's|UMI Trailing Arms|Bilstein HDs w/SSC|Projector Retro|Black SPO Grilles and Spoiler|SS Inserts Rear Inlay|ZZP Volt. Booster & Alt Rewire

I've been in the process of installing my SSC's. I've got the front done, but I've been dealing with 110° heat with extra high humidity and sheared off bolts on my front strut mounts putting everything back together. Monday, I'm doing the rears since its gonna cool off finally.

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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2
MODS: Wizaired|Custom DHP Tune|180° Thermostat|DR F/R Brackets w/GMPP STB's|UMI Trailing Arms|Bilstein HDs w/SSC|Projector Retro|Black SPO Grilles and Spoiler|SS Inserts Rear Inlay|ZZP Volt. Booster & Alt Rewire

Using a bracket that mounts with 3 holes instead of 2 still leaves the same distance between the crucial 2 inside mounting studs, so there will be no added stiffness gained. The only way to make the brackets stiffer is to make them thicker, but there will be very little difference in handling since the current thickness I use is more than enough to eliminate deflection.

The GMPP bars were designed to be mounted to the strut tower by drilling 2 holes in it. Mounting them that way doesn't utilize ANY of the 3 strut mount studs, so the theory of mounting the brackets with 3 studs instead of 2 will be stiffer is a myth.

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Bright Red 2008 G8 GT

Mods: DRCUSTOMPARTS Center Gauge Bezel
Superchips ECM/TCM Tune- Volant CAI
Solo Axlebacks - HID's
Holden V8 Badges
My Website

DR is right, 2 holes is enough. This is a pontiac grand prix, the whole chassis flex's, so trying to make this 2 ton mammoth handle is like putting ice skates on an elephant. Take it from the guy who has EVERY suspension bolt-on there is, the tower flex (if there really is any after the GMPP STB) is the least of the concern.

If you really want to go one step further, have someone make you some custom Sub-Frame connectors and Fender braces, that will make a bigger difference than any STB will ever make.

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04 Supercharged American and 01 Turbo Swede

I make solid aluminum fender braces and I don't claim they stiffen the chassis, but maybe they do.

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Bright Red 2008 G8 GT

Mods: DRCUSTOMPARTS Center Gauge Bezel
Superchips ECM/TCM Tune- Volant CAI
Solo Axlebacks - HID's
Holden V8 Badges
My Website

^ That's the only thing I haven't bought yet from you Don. I'm thinking this week, since you guys have convinced me not to waste money on a different STB, I'll pick up a set of those from you. Do you by chance include new bolts with the braces?

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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2
MODS: Wizaired|Custom DHP Tune|180° Thermostat|DR F/R Brackets w/GMPP STB's|UMI Trailing Arms|Bilstein HDs w/SSC|Projector Retro|Black SPO Grilles and Spoiler|SS Inserts Rear Inlay|ZZP Volt. Booster & Alt Rewire

Jason I do include new bolts & washers with the fender braces, plus your choice of lettering style & color.

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Bright Red 2008 G8 GT

Mods: DRCUSTOMPARTS Center Gauge Bezel
Superchips ECM/TCM Tune- Volant CAI
Solo Axlebacks - HID's
Holden V8 Badges
My Website

Fender Braces are more like this in my mind...although I do have you fender braces Mr. Rome



I had them in my maxima, it really stiffened my front up, my turn in was amazingly sharp. Our Firewalls aren't that weak suprisingly...mainly cause of the way the cradle is attached to the sub frame and the other braces up top

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04 Supercharged American and 01 Turbo Swede

Yeah those fender braces look pretty strong indeed.

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Bright Red 2008 G8 GT

Mods: DRCUSTOMPARTS Center Gauge Bezel
Superchips ECM/TCM Tune- Volant CAI
Solo Axlebacks - HID's
Holden V8 Badges
My Website

i'd be interested in the fender braces

so that obviously is in line w/ an stb so it makes like a small suspension cage


and i plan to get the solid diagonal braces in black of coarse (one year)

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Fender braces, sub frame connectors and Lower tie bar...are all things I would love to see for the grand prix. It make the car into a different vehicle. But being on coilovers made this car into a different animal already.

If I had a welder, I would definitely be working on making some fender braces. I've been thinking about picking up a welder one of these days and start learning how to. My GF can weld so she can teach me.

It has been my dream honestly to get into performance parts for cars, if I had the money to start a business I would work on making more affordable coilovers for the Grand Prix, then Fender braces, STB, and Sub Frame connectors...then just branch out from there.

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04 Supercharged American and 01 Turbo Swede

It takes more than a crash course from your GF to learn how to weld. I had welding classes in high school but it took a few years of practice for me to get really good at it.

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Bright Red 2008 G8 GT

Mods: DRCUSTOMPARTS Center Gauge Bezel
Superchips ECM/TCM Tune- Volant CAI
Solo Axlebacks - HID's
Holden V8 Badges
My Website

I know, but with time I would hope to get good at it

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04 Supercharged American and 01 Turbo Swede

Welding isn't that difficult.. pick one up and start teaching yourself...

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