Supercharger AND Tower Strut Brace

[MAT1955]

I have a 2026 GT premium convertible. I am considering two alternatives. Trading on a 2027 SC convertible or supercharging what I have. My concern is I don't want to lose the tower strut brace I have on my 2026. Has anyone found a way to fabricate/install a tower strut brace with a supercharger up-grade -or - installed an aftermarket hood to get extra clearance? I would be using the Ford Performance supercharger to be installed by my selling Ford Dealer.

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[Ninjak]

If you install the Ford Performance Whipple, you will lose the brace. VMP has a CF brace, but there have been many discussions saying it is for show only and will not work as a strut brace. One person who has it says it will. I have no clue either way, but if you do use a FP Whipple, you will have no brace.

 

[GhastlyTT]

I don't really believe the loss of the strut tower brace is an issue. I do well enough in my autocrosses without one, usually within a second of the smaller more nimble cars, and I can usually attribute the delta due to taking worse lines.

 

[Sofa King]

I would say go for the DHSC... though it won't be as simple as that... you will have to find a dealer with an allocation and one that won't charge a ridiculous markup. If it is just a strut brace issue, a taller hood may make it work on your GT.

 

[Paul's stable]

If you install the Ford Performance Whipple, you will lose the brace. VMP has a CF brace, but there have been many discussions saying it is for show only and will not work as a strut brace. One person who has it says it will. I have no clue either way, but if you do use a FP Whipple, you will have no brace.

I have the Whipple and used the VMP carbon fiber brace and it works fine. It has plenty enough ridgidity plus looks great.

 

[Ninjak]

I have the Whipple and used the VMP carbon fiber brace and it works fine. It has plenty enough ridgidity plus looks great.

As I said, you are the one person who has it and says it works. I have no idea, I have not even seen the VMP one in person. I do not worry about it because I run a Steeda Road Race K member with GTrack braces underneath. I'm pretty stable. Also, I'm not sure of the cost for the VMP, but was it not pretty expensive?

 

[Cody5.0]

I have the Whipple and used the VMP carbon fiber brace and it works fine. It has plenty enough ridgidity plus looks great.

It is 100% an appearance item.

There is zero torsional rigidity whatsoever.

 

[Old School1]

I have a 2026 GT premium convertible. I am considering two alternatives. Trading on a 2027 SC convertible or supercharging what I have. My concern is I don't want to lose the tower strut brace I have on my 2026. Has anyone found a way to fabricate/install a tower strut brace with a supercharger up-grade -or - installed an aftermarket hood to get extra clearance? I would be using the Ford Performance supercharger to be installed by my selling Ford Dealer.

Let me ask an unusual question related to supercharging. If I want more power, say in the 600hp to 650hp and 550ft LBs of torque, is there a smaller Whipple that fits under the brace? For me, 800 hp is too much but 600-650 hp is more manageable, again from my personal use.

 

[robvas]

is there a smaller Whipple

no

 

[Ninjak]

Let me ask an unusual question related to supercharging. If I want more power, say in the 600hp to 650hp and 550ft LBs of torque, is there a smaller Whipple that fits under the brace? For me, 800 hp is too much but 600-650 hp is more manageable, again from my personal use.

I would suggest looking at a Centri unti with a larger pulley. With that system, you can keep the brace.

 

[robvas]

Brace is useless just live without it.

 

[Paul's stable]

Let me ask an unusual question related to supercharging. If I want more power, say in the 600hp to 650hp and 550ft LBs of torque, is there a smaller Whipple that fits under the brace? For me, 800 hp is too much but 600-650 hp is more manageable, again from my personal use.

Stage 1 Whipple RWHP is about 680 depending on the dyno. The 810 HP is at the crank. You will be very happy with the stage 1 it is very street friendly.

 

[MAT1955]

@robvas, respectfully, your comment is nonsense from any mathematical or physics perspective and has been proven to be so repeatedly. Simple test, tie a string between the strut towers and go for a drive. It will break. Better test, run a cable with a scale between the towers to see the newtons pull. I'm pretty sure they teach the concept in grade 10 physics in B.C.

 

[ZXMustang]

@robvas, respectfully, your comment is nonsense from any mathematical or physics perspective and has been proven to be so repeatedly. Simple test, tie a string between the strut towers and go for a drive. It will break. Better test, run a cable with a scale between the towers to see the newtons pull. I'm pretty sure they teach the concept in grade 10 physics in B.C.

I kind of agree with you, but at the end of the day having one on vs off isnt going to make you lap a track faster in these metal bricks. If we were trying to split hairs here on purpose built roadrace cars, then sure. But at this point you could do a before and after test and you would only see margin of error differences. Its cool to look at and might make you feel like you got some handling part that makes a difference, but in the grand scheme its not doing shit for any of us. Not for our level of skill and what these cars are limited by from Ford.

There is a laundry list of shit you need to buy and upgrade before the strut tower brace comes into place as something you cant live without.

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