86NiteRider

iTrader: (10)

...UPS dropped the Wonderbar off at about 5 p.m. yesterday. Not quite 15 minutes install for me but I got it done. Had to go buy the 15mm socket first. Got the car up in the air and went to wrenching. Using a breaker bar (no power tools) made it pretty easy but time consuming. Just took a long time to remove. Broke off one of the two small bolts so more fun. Once I got the sway bar off and started reinstall everything was good but drivers side was a little harder to get the bolt to line back up even tho my car has never been in a accident. I just used a extra longer bolt (from my old intake install) that I had. Car was down and on the test drive by 8:30 p.m.

Real good feeling once the final bolt was in especially since my wife wanted me to take it to my friends muffler shop and pay him to do it. I was like, "Hell no, I can do this myself and keep that money." She kept coming to the garage every 15-20 minutes saying, "Are you okay." Nothing like saying "I told you so" to your wife every now and then.

The main thing I noticed was that turns seemed to be "flater". Not as much pitch or angling through turns. I never really had bad steering or suspension. Everything was pretty tight to begin so the Wonderbar can only improve what was already good. No cracks in the steering box either so now it will be preventive.

Darkshot

iTrader: (4)

Good job. I remember putting mine on for the first time, it was the first thing I did on my RS. There is a dip at the entrance to my court that I hit at an angle 4 times a day and this is where I noticed the difference because I like to hog that turn once in awhile.

91_5.7_TPI

iTrader: (2)

I think that the wonder bar was my first mod. It made a noticable difference. Just be glad you didn't do what I did...the wrench on the swaybar end link and drive down the road. It feel out on my road, so I didn't loose it. That would have went over well with her, I bet. hahaa

86NiteRider

iTrader: (10)

So you took the wrong part of the sway bar off? No that would not of went over well...LOL

91_5.7_TPI

iTrader: (2)

No, I took the right part off, but I had to loosen the end-links to get enough room to work. It made things easier at least.

86NiteRider

iTrader: (10)

I see. That is a hot look you got going with the SS hood and the hi rise. I almost went in that direction.

a mack6

iTrader: (1)

been thinkin bout gettin one for my Z....

Does my Z28 have a wonderbar tho? I'd hate to buy one if my car already has one on from the factory...

91_5.7_TPI

iTrader: (2)

Take a look and see. I don't think that any of 91-92s had them. Might be wrong though. It will be mounted at the same place as your front sway bar.

customblackbird

iTrader: (15)

doesnt matter if your car had one from the factory, the factory peices are stamped steel and a tubular aftermarket one will still improve the stock peice, i did it as one of my suspension mods with poly sway bar bushings and endlinks and it really tighted up the front end.

86NiteRider

iTrader: (10)

A Mack, for $66.00 shipped to your door, just do it. The more I drive on mine the more I notice the difference. I am getting one for my '86 next. It will improve that handling for sure.

You '92 Z28 probably has one but from all of my research TDS Wonderbar will be an improvement.

Bobby_80s

iTrader: (2)

i just bought a wonderbar, i plan to install it soon. but im just learning about our cars suspension and i noticed on both ends of the wonderbar has 3 holes.

a big one in the middle of each end and 2 smaller ones top n bottom of the big hole.

which hole does the swya bar link go through? and what else shoudl i know since i dont have instructions or pictures on how to install?

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

IIRC, only IROCs were equipped with the wonderbar.

JamesC

pizza_guy

Once you get under your car and unbolt the swaybar bushings, it will be quite obvious. The two bolts for each bushing go through the inside holes. There happens to be a third bolt just outside of the swaybar bushings, and that is your third hole.

It is seriously about the easiest and most straightforward modification I've done to these cars.

86NiteRider

iTrader: (10)

Yes it is pretty easy. When you hold the bar up to where it will go the holes line up perfectly and it will be obvious. I do suggest some WD40 before unbolting. I had one bolt snap off.

pizza_guy

I forgot about that part. However, I'd upgrade the WD40 to a more specialized "rust penetrant".

And a breaker bar as well. You'll need one if those bolts are factory assembled. I did this on a pristine camaro once, and they were still a !#@$% to get out.

And while I'm at it...don't position your head under the sway bar while unbolting that last bolt. Unless you like headaches.

You would think this would be obvious, but in all the excitement of installing cool new parts, I've forgot.

Tobias05

my wonderbar made a bigger improvement than my 36mm swaybar.

however, my tubular lcas/ relocation brackets made the car feel more solid. they kinda wrapped everything together.

...love spending money on suspension, i think it's biggest bang for your buck!

brandon

Tidbit

Nice you got the steering braces on the cars ok- but after reading this post I must inform all of you that is is PHYSICALY IMPOSSIBLE for a wonderbar addition to make the car corner flatter.


A steering brace is basically just that- A steering brace. It supports the two frame rails from flexing apart when pressure is applied to steering box and the pitman arm froce flex pressure agains the frame rail. The wonderbar helps keep the frame rail from flexing and the notorious cracking that they are known for. Even GM under R&D knew they had potential frame cracking problems in this area hence why they added the wonderbar to the more performance oriented IROCs.


The wonderbar will give a quicker steering response and a firmer feel to the steerring imputs, but will not in any way have any geomeetry affect on the suspension and aid in cornering other than makeing the chassis more rigid- and that chissi rigidity is a mute ppoint when you have much larger noticible bushing deflection and low damper values when using non racing shocks and struts.


Now for sensibility, it is a very wise investment and addition to save the integrity of you vehicle so the frame does not crack. GOod choice of purchase, just now be further informed what is is designed for.

86NiteRider

iTrader: (10)

Okay I guess you are technically right. I was looking for a "word" to describe the feeling I got driving after installing the Wbar and flat was the best I could come up with. I felt I noticed the addition the most in cornering. I guess I never experienced "flexing" that much in my '92. It is a very solid car and very close to it's factory shape even at 125,000 miles. Now when I put a Wonderbar on my T Top '86 next month then I will notice an improved handling more because that car "flexs" more.

matt_p

The wonderbar can add resistance to the opposing frame rails from moving up and down from eachother.

customblackbird

iTrader: (15)

i would have thought that any tieing from the subframes would improve handling/ cornering/ steering response... the brace not only reinforces the steering box which were prone to cracking but also connecting the bottom of both the front subframes would increase frame rigidy. ive worked on many framed vettes and all have the fronts of the subframes tied together... they also sell braces that are adjustable to preload the suspension/frame. connecting the front of the subframes increases frame rigidty and will help with the twisting of the subframes during cornering, these bars often work better than strut tower braces that basically do the same idea just at the top of the strut braces. but u are correct that the main idea was to reinforce the steering boxes, but they coulda done the same thing with a thick bracket/peice of steel, but tieing both sides with the brace is a suspension improvement... they killed 2 birds with one stone with this mod

micktroup

Just put my wonderbar on, followed by an STB.
Vunderbar! The first REALLY tightened up the front end, particularly in uneven corners. The STB is a tight fit on my 91 V6, but it only adds to the rigidity of the front of the car.
I can not believe how much flex and distortion these cars go through under normal driving conditions in stock form!! I should have done this TWO YEARS AGO! How much longer would these Fbody vehicles have lasted if the factory had built them correctly so as to have eliminated much of the metal fatigue?

Kudos to Lon at TDS for supplying a dynamite product at a great price!

Both mods have now made me ACUTELY aware of the flex going on in the rear of the car! That is next(lowering springs; LCAs and adjustable panhard bar) and to finish it off, Lon's SFCs!!

86NiteRider

iTrader: (10)

Where did you get your STB from? How much? Any pics of it?

87 formy

Interesting...

Anyways, have any of you guys seen the adjustable one spohn makes? They say you can adjust it and preload it or something and it makes a difference. I might have to try it out.

91_5.7_TPI

iTrader: (2)

Don't forget some good shocks (for lowered cars) or you'll be wasting your money

86NiteRider

iTrader: (10)

Just took a peek at the Edelbrock 3 point STB(for TBI) for $138.00. Anyone got anythoughts on this. Seems like a good one from looks, design and cost.

micktroup

I got my wonderbar from TopDown Solutions- it has the 3 bolt holes at each end which really makes the install easy... drop the sway bar brackets and bushings, use the two bolts still in the frame to mount using the outer holes on the wonderbar and swing the swaybar back into place. Simple!
I am using a 2 point STB from BMR Fabrication- nice piece; easy install; just a LITTLE grinding to help it clear the A/C(mine is a 3.1 V6).
The sheetmetal on the firewall looks a little too flimsy to use the 3 point STB...

Bobby_80s

iTrader: (2)

can anyone post a picture with their wonder bar installed? please

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

Here you are.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...what-36mm2.jpg

JamesC

Bobby_80s

iTrader: (2)

oh ok perfect thank you i dont know what i was thinking