Export Brace & Monte Carlo Bar: Worth it?

[Jayru 17]

Going to order a few things from Mustangs Plus and was looking at their Export Brace & Monte Carlo bar.

 

There so cheap! So I'm tempted to pick them both up. But they also seem kinda small/flimsy looking.

 

When i had the stock export braces unbolted to do the front shocks, i was shocked how thin/crappy they were! I guess anything's an improvement over stock, but...

 

I know some of you on here are running them, do they actually stiffen the car up any?

 

Feedback is much appreciated!

[Jayru 17]

Going to order a few things from Mustangs Plus and was looking at their Export Brace & Monte Carlo bar.

 

There so cheap! So I'm tempted to pick them both up. But they also seem kinda small/flimsy looking.

 

When i had the stock export braces unbolted to do the front shocks, i was shocked how thin/crappy they were! I guess anything's an improvement over stock, but...

 

I know some of you on here are running them, do they actually stiffen the car up any?

 

Feedback is much appreciated!

[70Mach03 12]

YES, definitely worth installing. It really tightens up the front of a 65-70 Mustang. I've installed them on all three 70's I've owned.

[70Mach03 12]

YES, definitely worth installing. It really tightens up the front of a 65-70 Mustang. I've installed them on all three 70's I've owned.

[gsxrken 21]

The export brace does a fantastic job of tightening up the car. The mote carlo bar does much less- I recall seeing some analysis, perhaps on corner-carvers, that said it did nothing at all over the export brace.

[gsxrken 21]

The export brace does a fantastic job of tightening up the car. The mote carlo bar does much less- I recall seeing some analysis, perhaps on corner-carvers, that said it did nothing at all over the export brace.

[69RavenConv 286]

Here's a link to a pretty good article on the subject. I upgraded to the one-piece export brace but not the monte carlo bar. I've read that only the straight monte carlo bar really does anything, as the curved one acts like a spring and just flexes along with the rest of the body. Don't have any personal experience either way.

 

http://www.fly-ford.com/MM0105-How_To_Install_an_Export_Brace_and_a_Monte_Carlo_Bar.html

[69RavenConv 286]

Here's a link to a pretty good article on the subject. I upgraded to the one-piece export brace but not the monte carlo bar. I've read that only the straight monte carlo bar really does anything, as the curved one acts like a spring and just flexes along with the rest of the body. Don't have any personal experience either way.

 

http://www.fly-ford.com/MM0105-How_To_Install_an_Export_Brace_and_a_Monte_Carlo_Bar.html

[Jayru 17]

Thanks Guys!!

 

How can i tell if i can use the straight Mote bar or require the curved one?

Edited May 6, 2009 by Jayru

[Jayru 17]

Thanks Guys!!

 

How can i tell if i can use the straight Mote bar or require the curved one?

Edited May 6, 2009 by Jayru

[70Mach03 12]

Here's a link to a pretty good article on the subject. I upgraded to the one-piece export brace but not the monte carlo bar. I've read that only the straight monte carlo bar really does anything, as the curved one acts like a spring and just flexes along with the rest of the body. Don't have any personal experience either way.

 

http://www.fly-ford.com/MM0105-How_To_Install_an_Export_Brace_and_a_Monte_Carlo_Bar.html

 

Most definitely agree on the straight vs. curved Monte Carlo bar. I've had both. The straight was a pain many years ago when I was running points and needing to change them out. Now with electronic ignitions it's become a mute point. The fact that it’s curved in the middle causes it to lose some of it’s rigidness over the straight bar. Unless you swap out points weekly and have the long oval Cobra air filter, go with a straight one.

[70Mach03 12]

Here's a link to a pretty good article on the subject. I upgraded to the one-piece export brace but not the monte carlo bar. I've read that only the straight monte carlo bar really does anything, as the curved one acts like a spring and just flexes along with the rest of the body. Don't have any personal experience either way.

 

http://www.fly-ford.com/MM0105-How_To_Install_an_Export_Brace_and_a_Monte_Carlo_Bar.html

 

Most definitely agree on the straight vs. curved Monte Carlo bar. I've had both. The straight was a pain many years ago when I was running points and needing to change them out. Now with electronic ignitions it's become a mute point. The fact that it’s curved in the middle causes it to lose some of it’s rigidness over the straight bar. Unless you swap out points weekly and have the long oval Cobra air filter, go with a straight one.

[coz 108]

Jay,

 

The straight versus curved issue is really whether you can get the straight one around (in front of) the dizzy. If so, go straight. I was unable to clear the dizzy so I went curved.

 

Both are well worth the cost unless you are going 100% stock and don't want to drill holes for the Monte Carlo bar.

[coz 108]

Jay,

 

The straight versus curved issue is really whether you can get the straight one around (in front of) the dizzy. If so, go straight. I was unable to clear the dizzy so I went curved.

 

Both are well worth the cost unless you are going 100% stock and don't want to drill holes for the Monte Carlo bar.

[Jayru 17]

Jay,

 

The straight versus curved issue is really whether you can get the straight one around (in front of) the dizzy. If so, go straight. I was unable to clear the dizzy so I went curved.

 

Both are well worth the cost unless you are going 100% stock and don't want to drill holes for the Monte Carlo bar.

 

My motor's out of the car at the moment, so i have no way of knowing right now. I'll have a 302 with the Duraspark II dist out of a 79 Granada. Anyone know if i can get away with the straight one?

[Jayru 17]

Jay,

 

The straight versus curved issue is really whether you can get the straight one around (in front of) the dizzy. If so, go straight. I was unable to clear the dizzy so I went curved.

 

Both are well worth the cost unless you are going 100% stock and don't want to drill holes for the Monte Carlo bar.

 

My motor's out of the car at the moment, so i have no way of knowing right now. I'll have a 302 with the Duraspark II dist out of a 79 Granada. Anyone know if i can get away with the straight one?

[SlimeGold 69 15]

My motor's out of the car at the moment, so i have no way of knowing right now. I'll have a 302 with the Duraspark II dist out of a 79 Granada. Anyone know if i can get away with the straight one?

 

 

It will work if you use the old style small distributor cap. Mine has a strait bar with a 302 and it's a pain just getting the cap off, but doable. Both braces are well worth the money. It will save your shock towers from cracking and flexing if nothing else. If your car has never had them before, installing them can be a pain. The shock towers tilt in over time and sometimes they need to be spread out a bit before the braces will even think about bolting in..

[SlimeGold 69 15]

My motor's out of the car at the moment, so i have no way of knowing right now. I'll have a 302 with the Duraspark II dist out of a 79 Granada. Anyone know if i can get away with the straight one?

 

 

It will work if you use the old style small distributor cap. Mine has a strait bar with a 302 and it's a pain just getting the cap off, but doable. Both braces are well worth the money. It will save your shock towers from cracking and flexing if nothing else. If your car has never had them before, installing them can be a pain. The shock towers tilt in over time and sometimes they need to be spread out a bit before the braces will even think about bolting in..

[9350 10]

Jayru,

If you want to stiffen up your car, consider subframe connectors. You'll really feel a difference. I have the one piece export brace that is much stronger than the stock individual shock tower braces.

[9350 10]

Jayru,

If you want to stiffen up your car, consider subframe connectors. You'll really feel a difference. I have the one piece export brace that is much stronger than the stock individual shock tower braces.

[Pakrat 1,043]

While on the subject of Monte Bars, has anyone tried the new 69'/70' specific one yet? I added the export brace a while back and was planning on adding a Monte now that the engine is back in and I know you used to have use the 65'/66' one so I am curious what the difference is if any.

[Pakrat 1,043]

While on the subject of Monte Bars, has anyone tried the new 69'/70' specific one yet? I added the export brace a while back and was planning on adding a Monte now that the engine is back in and I know you used to have use the 65'/66' one so I am curious what the difference is if any.

[Cupid 10]

Jayru,

If you want to stiffen up your car, consider subframe connectors. You'll really feel a difference. I have the one piece export brace that is much stronger than the stock individual shock tower braces.

 

Not to jump topics, but 9350 has been holding out. I didn't see the write up on his Serpentine set-up. Did anybody else see it? Wonder why that is. *hint, hint*:biggrin:

 

I have the Export/MC setup as well. I noticed a little more stiffness, but for me, a larger sway bar gave me the biggest *seat of the pants* feel. I noticed a lot more stiffness with this combined with the Shelby Drop. Yeah....it's pretty much on rails...well.....with a little bump steer here there.:whistling:

 

Now if you have the stock springs and shocks, you may want to take a look at that as well.

[Cupid 10]

Jayru,

If you want to stiffen up your car, consider subframe connectors. You'll really feel a difference. I have the one piece export brace that is much stronger than the stock individual shock tower braces.

 

Not to jump topics, but 9350 has been holding out. I didn't see the write up on his Serpentine set-up. Did anybody else see it? Wonder why that is. *hint, hint*:biggrin:

 

I have the Export/MC setup as well. I noticed a little more stiffness, but for me, a larger sway bar gave me the biggest *seat of the pants* feel. I noticed a lot more stiffness with this combined with the Shelby Drop. Yeah....it's pretty much on rails...well.....with a little bump steer here there.:whistling:

 

Now if you have the stock springs and shocks, you may want to take a look at that as well.

[Fordrevhead 29]

I plan to weld up a one piece Monte/shock brace similar to the tubular aftermarket ones available for the fox body Mustangs. I have one on my Fox body and it rocks!