Strut Tower Braces Question

[02hawk796]

I have a question for those who have installed Strut Tower Braces in their Firehawks, particulalry LS1s.
Have any of you had hood cracks around the nostrils (hood scoops) AFTER installing your braces?
If you have LT1 and also have hood cracking, please say so, but I'm mostly aware of discussions about LS1 Hawk hoods cracking the paint.
I notice the hood gets heavily torqued, even so much that the headlamp covers get bound against the hood, and I was wondering if that torquing is what creates the problem of the cracks. And if having Strut Tower Braces protects against this problem.

[ANGUS]

I have the BMR strut tower brace and do not have any issues with anything.

[Scott Chab]

In all the years I have had my Firehawk and been on f-body message boards (12+), I have never heard of anyone saying anything about hood cracks after installing a STB.

[sleepinghawk]

SLP brace here with no problems for 45,000 miles on od

[som2002]

Ron, I've had a BMR brace on mine from the beginning and have no problems what-so-ever.

[wu6fiend]

I've never heard anyone, ever, ask this question before! I can't see any way a strut brace would affect the hood, unless it is so poorly fitted to the car that the underside of the hood comes into contact with the brace itself. So, no, no issues with the brace on my Hawk (Edelbrock 3-pt) and its hood. Had the same brace on my 2000 Camaro SS, and no issues either.

If your headlight doors are coming into contact with your hood, there are other issues. Has the car ever been hit? Do you do a lot of drag racing, and don't have subframe connectors? Is the hood stock, or aftermarket? Are the headlight assemblies loose or displaced? All of this has nothing to do with a strut brace.

[02hawk796]

I've never heard anyone, ever, ask this question before! I can't see any way a strut brace would affect the hood, unless it is so poorly fitted to the car that the underside of the hood comes into contact with the brace itself. So, no, no issues with the brace on my Hawk (Edelbrock 3-pt) and its hood. Had the same brace on my 2000 Camaro SS, and no issues either.

If your headlight doors are coming into contact with your hood, there are other issues. Has the car ever been hit? Do you do a lot of drag racing, and don't have subframe connectors? Is the hood stock, or aftermarket? Are the headlight assemblies loose or displaced? All of this has nothing to do with a strut brace.

Either you misunderstood my post, or I was not clear enough.

I was wondering if having a strut tower brace PREVENTS the problem of Firehawk LS1 hoods cracking the paint near the nostrils.
So far, my concept, my posted question, and more importantly, the responses, seem to support this theory.
It may become a recommendation to those who have hood cracks to install a strut tower brace to prevent repeated cracking (after having the cracks repaired, or course).

The explanation is that the hood is latched in the center, and the stabilizing supports are in the front corners, near the headlamps. Normal situation is for the triangle of hinges and latch to hold the hood in place, and the stabilizing bumpers to help the hood corners from vibrating or bouncing.
Torquing of the frame, causing the corner bumpers to flex up against the corners of the hood while the hinges and latch are trying to hold it down, may be creating undue stress, thus causing the cracks.

I would still greatly like more input, both from those who have strut tower braces and NO hood cracking problems, and also if any have had hood cracking AFTER installation of strut tower braces.

Thanks all for your input, I could not get that info without your help.

[Scott Chab]

So are you asking if a STB will prevent cracking to justify buying one?

[02hawk796]

NO. As a troubleshooting solution. To provide information to fellow Hawk enthusiasts.

[Scott Chab]

NO. As a troubleshooting solution. To provide information to fellow Hawk enthusiasts.

I am thoroughly confused. I guess I'll end with this... a STB is a good thing.

[99' Cajun Firehawk 157]

My hawk is a 99', in 07' when I got her I added the STB, I do not, nor have I ever had any cracks of any kind on my hood.

[SLPhawk]

I have an 00 SS that currently has 71k miles and has had a SLP strut tower brace on it since 36k miles. No issues.

[redhawk]

My hawk is a 99', in 07' when I got her I added the STB, I do not, nor have I ever had any cracks of any kind on my hood.

Ditto! No problems here.

[steveb]

I have a BMR Strut tower brace on my 2000 Firehawk AND... My paint is cracking in front of my nostrils.

Hope this helps..
Steve