I am thinking about notching the strut towers on my mav to make more room for bigger engine , header clearance and spark plug access. I'm interested to know what you guys/gals think about this, good or bad let me know.Is there a thread about this already that explaines this?
type "shave shock towers" in the search function. Lots of threads. I've never heard a bad thing that I can remember.
You cannot get a bigger engine in just because you shave the towers. But you CAN reach the spark plugs more easily. There will be argument both ways, but I have seen 351w put in without shaving the towers. Cons, may weaken the structural integrity of the front geometry, but most of us who have done it reinforce it with thincker steel and continue to use the cross braces or upgrade to a monte carlo bar. Pros--much more space to get to header bolts, spark plugs, etc. THAT was enough for me to do the job...swapping out 8 plugs in 10 minutes rather than 2 hours (that is how long it took me the first time before i notched the towers, and not to mention the cut up and bruised arms and hands, cussing, and broken tools from throwing them across the garage in frustration).
if you want a 351W it'll definatly make life easier... my 76 has a 302 with headers but i guess i just have the luck of youth and ambidexterious hands because i really havent had too much of a problem getting to what i need to get to on the sides of the motor. i dont think theres much of any cons to doing it. if you have the means to do it, and do it right i really dont see any reason not to. but if your looking to go any bigger then a 351W/C you'll probably need to cut the towers out entierly anyway
