Strut-Tower Bar

[phewop118]

I know I read of someone somewhere (whether it was on this forum or not, I can't remember) who put the strut tower bar from the regal into his intrigue. I really want to do this, as I feel like my structure is flexing alot with all the Pittsburgh (yeah steelers) potholes that have been showing up with all the freezing and melting we've been getting. I don't remember if it can be done without mods, but I would love to find out. Also, could a bar from an Impala (though it's a slightly updated w-body) fit in an intrigue, as it would be much easier to find than a regal? Has anyone here done this?

[GTP Dad]

I haven't done it but one from a Regal or Grand Prix should fit the Intrigue with out any modifications as they are the same platform. Check PFYC or Andys Autosport for what you need. You may even find one on e-bay.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

I haven't done it but one from a Regal or Grand Prix should fit the Intrigue with out any modifications as they are the same platform. Check PFYC or Andys Autosport for what you need. You may even find one on e-bay.

Did you have one installed in your GTP Lynn? I don't have a strut brace in my GTP. However, both Regals have one.

They are not that difficult to install. Biggest part of the job is drilling two holes on each strut tower.

[GTP Dad]

Yes Bob, I have one on my GTP was very simple and can be done very easily. I just haven't put one on an Intrigue from a Regal!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

Yes Bob, I have one on my GTP was very simple and can be done very easily. I just haven't put one on an Intrigue from a Regal!

On the Intrigue me neither but an OEM off a Regal may fit. The strut bar is 41 inches in length. So all an Intrigue owner would need to do is measure from the top center strut mount on each side and make sure it will mount on the strut tower. The bolt holes will have to be drilled 4" - ? in from the center of each upper strut mount. Holes on the Regal are in 4". The holes on the bar itself are elongated for adjustment.

I thought about installing one on the GTP but for me it serves no purpose. The two front ones that go to the radiator cross support seem enough on the Grand Prix.

[GTP Dad]

Bob, I found that it stiffens the front suspension a lot. Last year the sway bar broke on my GTP and it was driven for several weeks without one. I truly believe that the strut bar helped keep the body roll to a minimum as there was very little difference without the sway bar. I really don't know what it would have felt like without it but I didn't want to find out either.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

Bob, I found that it stiffens the front suspension a lot. Last year the sway bar broke on my GTP and it was driven for several weeks without one. I truly believe that the strut bar helped keep the body roll to a minimum as there was very little difference without the sway bar. I really don't know what it would have felt like without it but I didn't want to find out either.

I agree it has it uses. So it makes you wonder why GM did not make this strut brace standard on all GM "W" body cars. Both of my Regals have it stock.

As you know I don't drive the GTP on the street much nowadays and for me it better not to have a strut brace so I can access the rear plugs faster. Plus I only go one direction with it - straight. However, the best suspension mods I ever did was the KYB GR2 struts and polyurethane front stabilizer bushings.

[GTP Dad]

I have to agree Bob that it wouldn't be much help going in a straight line and it is a pain to access the rear of the engine bay with it in place. Once again GM is trying to be cheap in getting the Grand Prix out to the public so they didn't put one on. Buick on the other hand is a little higher level vehicle and saw fit to utilize one. Like the old saying goes "you get what you pay for"!

[LittleHoov]

i also agree that they wouldnt do a whole lot of good if all you do is drive straight.

But the one from the Regal should fit fine, I know you can also adapt the front bar to make it a rear bar as well, which i plan to do at some point.

Factory 1999 Regal dealer strut tower brace (part no. 12456148) Will mount to rear with bolt hole elongation.


The part # for TWO of these braces is 12498648 and the two kits are almost exactly the same price from www.gmpartsdirect.com so if youre going to get one you might as well spring for two and put one on the back.

[BNaylor]

Here is the STB procedure that has been floating around. Nice idea of the work involved and should be applicable to the Intrigue:

http://www.oqcgp.com/upgrades/stb_1/stb.php

[phewop118]

This procedure requires drilling into the strut-towers to mount the bar. I kind of don't want to do that. I saw this on pfyc.com. http://www.pfyc.com/store/merchant.m...ry_Code=GPSUSP. It seems to just mount on where the bolts are for the struts. Does it look any good or is it a bunch of b.s?