5 gen whipple with strut tower brace

[dblcbra]

I'm not done yet, but from my test fit you can use the strut tower brace with the 5 gen whipple. I lowered the engine using the BMR upper motor mounts so that I could retain the lower portion for NVH purposes. These mounts are made for a GT though so you will need a spacer to properly mount your starter. After taking off the insulation pad under the hood, I'm left with 11mm of play room from what I've come to. More to come.

Out of curiosity, has anyone used a reflective insulation before? I was thinking about putting that under the hood to help off set some of the direct heat off possible.

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[Inthehighdesert]

Do you think it’ll still clear when the engine torque’s? I’d like to do a Whipple but don’t want to lose the brace.

 

[dblcbra]

Do you think it’ll still clear when the engine torque’s? I’d like to do a Whipple but don’t want to lose the brace.

I think it will be ok. It doesn't look like there's a ton of movement from what I've seen watching dyno videos of whipple 350s on YouTube. I'll be playing with it over and over till I get it down

 

[lightrules]

that looks real tight. i'd have to think under load/WOT it's gonna bump bump bump.

keep us posted.

 

[dblcbra]

that looks real tight. i'd have to think under load/WOT it's gonna bump bump bump.

keep us posted.

The strut tower brace is just laying on the whipple right now. I was measuring the distance between it and the hood to see what I have to play with.

 

[NoXiDe]

Just a thought here, couldn't Whipple redesign their cover to include a dip for the gt350 strut brace? I mean it can't cost more than $100 of manufacturing time to develop.

 

[dblcbra]

Just a thought here, couldn't Whipple redesign their cover to include a dip for the gt350 strut brace? I mean it can't cost more than $100 of manufacturing time to develop.

The cover has the Intercooler built in so that would have to be reduced or relocated. I'm not sure how else they would make it smaller

 

[NoXiDe]

Good point but hopefully we get there cause it's just a matter of time.

 

[nastang87xx]

Me personally, I don't think that's enough room. You'd be amazed at how much things moved around in there.

 

[NoXiDe]

Doesn't the engine tilt a few degrees when it's given acceleration?

 

[RubberFeet]

dblcbra Let us know how you end up. Is the 350 brace different contour than 5.0?
I called whipple and it took awhile, but got 8 3/8" as the dimension from the intake flat to the top of the gen 5. I am running an aftermarket hood and have at least 1" more clearance. For me, this is a deal breaker. Driving cars with out the brace is scary stuffing into corners. Motor mounts are certainly a consideration, however....I have had to lower the trans mounting on the Tremec to cancel DS vibration. Have to figure in the geometry. Would very much like to find someone who has figured out this thing.

 

[dblcbra]

dblcbra Let us know how you end up. Is the 350 brace different contour than 5.0?
I called whipple and it took awhile, but got 8 3/8" as the dimension from the intake flat to the top of the gen 5. I am running an aftermarket hood and have at least 1" more clearance. For me, this is a deal breaker. Driving cars with out the brace is scary stuffing into corners. Motor mounts are certainly a consideration, however....I have had to lower the trans mounting on the Tremec to cancel DS vibration. Have to figure in the geometry. Would very much like to find someone who has figured out this thing.

I'll let you know for sure. Unfortunately I haven't got feedback on my tune from Whipple in 2 weeks or so the car isn't up and running to play with the brace. I did order a palm beach Dyno tune though so that should help speed things up. As far as the difference I'm not sure, I've only had two 350s and never really checked out the 5.0 brace. Rumor is that cervini's is coming out with a new hood for the 350 soon so hopefully that pans out. I have installed a Steeda g trac brace to give some more front end stiffness but I haven't drove with only that and without the strut tower brace for comparison.

 

[dblcbra]

After dragging my feet I finally got the strut tower brace on. I mounted my GoPro on my fender while the car was being dynoed and the engine movement was a lot less than expected while under load. I shimmed the brace and face it a few revs(8k). Looks like this should work no problem. Going to autocross later so I'll know for sure then.

 

[dblcbra]

Trying to get a video attached as well

 

[Angrey]

The motor torques and moves but not in the way you guys are thinking. The motor mounts (unless solid) are soft UNDER the nut. Meaning when the motor torques, it squishes the lower portion of one side (while the other stays retained by the nut on the mount stud). So yes, the motor moves a bit, but only down on one side, never higher that it originally starts.

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