So im an N-body guy and i own a 95 grand am. There is a few years grand am that can use the factory strut brace from a 92-94 j-body. Is there a difference between other years both older and newer. So could i use am 89 or a 91 or is there something special about the 92-94s? Also what is the difference between the 3rd gens and the second gens? Is the bolt pattern the same and the struts are just further appart or is everything different? The reason im asking is because i cant find a 92-94 bar anywhere and if all i need to do is shorten a 95 bar to make it work i will do that. An ebay bar is cheap and i can cut it fairly easily then just use a support inside the strut bar and put some bolts through it. I dont care if its ugly I want functional and even an ebay bar is better than no bar. if you can answere even one question or maybe have another idea please let me know. here is an under hood pick to see the strut tops.

Every year J body has the same bolt pattern for the upper strut mounts. The difference between the 88-91 and 92-94 bars is that the upper mount is rotated roughly 30 degrees. Pic to see (88-91 top, 92-94 bottom)-


3rd gens have the same bolt pattern, but again, its rotated, the dimension from strut to strut is different (shorter on the 3rd gen IIRC), and the angle between towers is different.

So, you can use an 88-91 and modify the ends to match your pattern, or try to use a 3rd gen one, but at that point, your better off getting an Ebay one for the amount of work you'd put into it.

My suggestion- go to V6Z24.com and look through the Buy/Sell, since the 92-94 bars are always on there, and its a direct fit.

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thanks that realy helped me out. I'll have to keep my eye out on there. I just cant seem to locate a 92-94 and knowing what you just told me i will now know what needs to be done if i find a different year first. Thank you!!!!

anyone know about a rear brace that would work??? I'll try to get the pattern for the N-body rear to compair it to differnt gen J-bodies.