knightrider5000

I took the ground effects off my 91 convertable firebird, and there is big jacking rails along the whole side of the under door area. I want to remove these but can I? I know GM put these here for better steering and to make the convert more stiff. But I really want them gone as it don't look right with them on without the ground effect. But I need to know if I can remove them with out problems. Will I need to add aftermarket sub frames to it If I do remove them? And will the car still be safe to drive? Has anyone removed theres?

Thirdgen Ranch

iTrader: (5)

Those are welded on to the car so they wouldn't be easy to remove and I definitely wouldn't think about taking them off. There are there to strengthen the body and your fenders are cut off on the bottom to clear them. If you don't like the way it looks without the ground effects why don't you just put them back on? The Formula convertibles had those same pieces and didn't come with ground effects so even some factory cars looked like that.

knightrider5000

Well I am building a Kitt knight rider Replica out of it and the car in the show did not have them on it. The older Trans Am Convertables didnt have them so I dont think that these really need them. I think it was just added for more performance for sharp turning. And I know probably if I remove them it will not be as stiff. But its going to be a show car and not a race car, just normal driving.
Has anyone out there removed it from there car?

Thirdgen Ranch

iTrader: (5)

All the factory convertibles had them. It was added for extra strength because the body is SIGNIFICANTLY weaker without a roof.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

If a MOVIE car didn't have them, that means either the cars had a very short life, or had aftermarket (studio custom) SFCs. Most likely the latter.

You could always add SFCs THEN remove the factory ones. But don't take the factory ones off (have fun cutting the welds) until you have aftermarket SFCs on the car.

knightrider5000

Thanks for your inputs, ya I have decided that Im not going to remove them until I weld on the SFCs on first.
I heard these are the best ones to get:
http://umiperformance.com/2400?category_id=113

Not bad for only $200. They are weld on type. And I think Ill be using a hack saw to cut off the side rails.

knightrider5000

I ended up getting Alston Subframe connectors off LON just an old update! They hide under the car rather then run dow the sides where you could see them.

Mr. IROC-Z

iTrader: (1)

Even with SFC's the car will still flex. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND removing those side pieces. I have SFC's, 3point strut tower brace and some other various bracing and my car is still not solid.
Just something to think about...