MerethriX

moderators can move this topic to better place if its in wrong territory.

but to the point. here in finland we have lot of discussion about the sub frame connectors. i dont have those and im more like sunday-cruiser-type-of-guy and i dont se why have to get them. but most here says its the first modification to 3gen what you have to do.

what do you think? i know that hardtops might get some cracks on the roof if theres no SFC.. car is quite "saggy". like american cars usually are. i like soft rides

Westech

Yes.

MerethriX

little argue please. because the creak noices in the cabin?

DJP87Z28

I have had the Spohn tube type welded in SFC since 2001. My 1987 Camaro IROC-Z is more solid now then when it was new and I am still the original owner. Best Mod I made on the car.

Base91

iTrader: (1)

If you're just cruising for the most part then they're not needed. Use the money for gas. Or a date. If you want to go fast on the bends that's a whole other story.

MerethriX

yeah, thats what i think too.. gas here is really expensive.. over 1.7 per litre. thats something like over $8 per gallon.

8t2 z-chev

Adding SFCs helps correct a factory design flaw with these cars,have had SFCs on mine since '94-like car better with the SFCs,much more rigid even with 250,000+mi now

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Only if you plan on driving it.

FueledSoul

iTrader: (18)

put them in no matter what.

Base91

iTrader: (1)

You'll have more fun using the money for beer.

MerethriX

contradiction

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

My car hasn't been abused. Even so, stress cracks developed behind the windows. If normal driving can cause such issues, reason dictates that shoring up the unibody's structural integrity is wise. That said, since you're the caretaker of your car, do as you see best.

JamesC

6SIX6

iTrader: (35)

Yes . Highly reccomended no matter what type of driving you do

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Anyone who has ever installed them, and drove the car before and after will tell you yes.

Base91

iTrader: (1)

Which is great if you've got money for SFCs AND beer! I'm trying to drink less so I can get the SFCs (I auto-x) but it's a sad state of affairs.

mille_3

iTrader: (3)

You say you like a soft ride and equate that to a "saggy" ride. SFC's have nothing to do with a "soft ride". If you care at all about your car and want it to stay structurally intact, you will take the time to install SFC's.

If your car has even a half way decent paint job it will save it from all the stress cracks around the rear top of the roof. This in time opens your car up to corrosion issues....you get the idea.

In conclusion, the SFC's are "not needed" but if you care an ounce about your car you WILL install them.

white gold 88

OP If I had a GTA and it was original then no leave them off. But if it's not original and you don't care if it is and you auto-x then yes. I went on top with my SFCs. 8 point cage welded directly to the front and rear subframes. Took out the back seat completely as they are the most uncomfortable things to sit in since the horse and buggy days. Watching amish maffia and I believe their buggies had better, more comfortable seats. More room for sure!

MerethriX

actually it got repainted last summer.. okay maybe i'll save some money for the sfc's..... i wish the desing would be better

FueledSoul

iTrader: (18)

You can just buy 2"x1 1/2" rectangle tubing that's 11ga and do the outers, weld along the pinch every 6" and connect the rear and front unibody frame section and be done with it for around $30... granite you have the tools and skill... If your like me you build yours over kill...

white gold 88

Thats one SHARP ride Fueled Soul. I like that dual exhaust.Did you do that yourself also? Can't do that to mine, exhaust that is. Drags all the time with the factory exhaust. Just sits a little too low.

AutoRoc

iTrader: (1)

It's not a GO FAST mod but it's definately worthwhile. I like the kind that tie into the lower control arms in the rear. Box those with steel too if they are still stock pieces. My sfc's are welded to my rollbar also, very stiff setup.

1986Iroczmark

Can you post a diaggram of these with some info.
I would love to have a setup like that.

nosajwols

iTrader: (1)

If money is tight SFC for our cars are pretty simple you can just by the steel and make them. When you think about it anyone with the skill set to weld the ones you buy in should also be able to make a set. If they can't, well they shouldn't be welding!

I do not see why this is more than a ~$50 exercise.

FueledSoul

iTrader: (18)

Thanks, yeah i built my exhaust too...
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/exha...-fab-long.html

Base91

iTrader: (1)

How much for the part of your brain that knows how to weld like that?

yoshirocks702

that's some nice work FueledSoul! I want to twist this question a bit I know of the benefits to SFC but what if you have a nice low mileage original car that still feels nice and stiff. would you still install SFC's? if so would you put boltons or welded?

8t2 z-chev

For a low mileage original that gets driven only on nice days and does not get thrashed on,SFCs not really needed until flex starts to creep in later down the road.When i bought my '82 hardtop,8yrs old and ~85,000 mi,it was pretty tight yet except a little"hatch rattle"here and there.After several years of daily driving strough subzero winters and all,started to notice flex creeping in and SFCs were added along with some underhood braces to stop the front end structure from "matchboxing"

Coolwheels84

iTrader: (5)

Holy nice undercarriage Batman!! Wow.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Or you could install them before it starts to sag noticably

Of course since theses cars are at least 20 years old now, the sagging has already begun.


Again, There is not a unibody car out there that would not benefit from connectors.

There is no reason not to have them.

Coolwheels84

iTrader: (5)

Seems as though most of the talk is about hardtop cars. Are the T-top cars and Verts any more or less rigid than a hardtop? I'm guessing they all benifit from the addition of them. I never really thought about adding them to mine. I've always just considered it a weekend, nice weather driver. After reading through this, I can't wait to add the set that came on my roller I just bought to mine.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

People talk about hardtops because those are the ones you can see cracking.

Do you think a t top car would be more ridged? Converts have more bracing but thats to compensate.

Again, ALL unibody cars will benefit from them, hard tops, t tops, converts...

lunati397

T Tops need them more than hard tops they flex so much more

Unless you like to drive around on cold days making recordings for hounted houses

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Coolwheels84

iTrader: (5)

Haha. Mine doesn't really make any weird noises. It will be interesting to see how much different it feels. Can't wait.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Hit an incline like a driveway at an angle at low speed, you will feel the body twist.

Then do the same after you install.

lunati397

your in GA go to the northest in the dead of winter lol

86TA355SR

iTrader: (1)

I am one of those guys! Especially on T-top cars. I couldn't believe how much it improved the rigidity of the car. No more flexing when pulling into driveways off the street and so forth.

My opinion, pay to get the weld in ones if you don't know how to weld....you won't be disappointed.

tenpin842

my car is a t top car and I had a crack on the drivers side. just behind the door on that side pillar. right where that meets the top of the door. Drilled a hole to stop the crack, then welded it back shut. then did the body work. I think SFC are very nice. You can definitely feel the difference. lol...plus my car is lowered 2 inches. Makes a huge difference going around corners!