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Money and wonderbar question....

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Old May 21, 2003 | 04:58 PM
  #1  
jeff's Avatar
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From: Mendenhall,MS, USA
Money and wonderbar question....

How much will it cost to get a shop to put in SFC? Also, is it hard to install a wonderbar? They just bolt in, correct? Easy to do by yourself? Also, what brand wonderbar would you suggest? I have heard some are thicker and stronger than others.
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Old May 21, 2003 | 05:04 PM
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From: Norfolk, VA. USA
Car: 86 Trans Am, 88 Formula
Engine: 95LT4, 305TPI
Transmission: T56, T5
I'd get the TDS wonderbar. Great price, great reviews, great quality. I would have gotten that brand if it was available when I got the ones I have, BMR and stock GM one.

Oh, and it's not too hard to bolt in. The BMR one had to have one of the holes drilled a bit to get it to fit.

Shops around here charge $75 to install SFC's.
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Old May 21, 2003 | 05:15 PM
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From: Mendenhall,MS, USA
is that the weld in kind?
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Old May 21, 2003 | 05:18 PM
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From: Norfolk, VA. USA
Car: 86 Trans Am, 88 Formula
Engine: 95LT4, 305TPI
Transmission: T56, T5
SFC's are weld in for $75.
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Old May 21, 2003 | 05:31 PM
  #5  
Trans Am#5's Avatar
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From: Chicago, Il
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: Lt1
Transmission: T56
I 2nd the TDS wonder bar. I just put mine this morning and their service, fitment and quality is top notch. You can't go wrong for $42.
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Old May 21, 2003 | 07:47 PM
  #6  
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From: Mendenhall,MS, USA
does it come with detailed instructions for installing one, I love working on cars, but I'm usually not very good at it. How long did it take you?
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Old May 21, 2003 | 07:48 PM
  #7  
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From: Norfolk, VA. USA
Car: 86 Trans Am, 88 Formula
Engine: 95LT4, 305TPI
Transmission: T56, T5
Here is a thread with it,
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=175339

Pretty straightforward install.
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Old May 21, 2003 | 08:24 PM
  #8  
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From: Chicago, Il
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: Lt1
Transmission: T56
Originally posted by jeff
does it come with detailed instructions for installing one, I love working on cars, but I'm usually not very good at it. How long did it take you?
Yes, the instuctions are very easy to follow. You basically only need a 15mm socket. I used an impact but I doubt it was necessary. I already had it under the car while doing some changes to my harmonic balancer. I used a floor jack to kind of hold up the sway bar as it will come down when the bolts are loosened up. I agree with the installer in the post that Zepher supplied. It did help although some people say they didn't notice anything at all. It seems as though it's slightly stiffer up front. In my case, the entire suspension is new not having even 300 miles on it. Sway bars, struts, shocks, tires, wheels, SFC's, poly control arm bushings, Moog balljoints & tie rod ends, etc. I am looking for a strut tower brace and the suspension will be as complete as I would like it. It's no suprise and every one here knows that any type of bracing available for these cars is a must. As opposed to Spohn and BMR, I didn't have to enlarge any mounting holes are grind anything down. It fit like it should at half the price of the others.
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Old May 21, 2003 | 09:06 PM
  #9  
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From: Millersville, Md
Car: 1966 Volkswagen Beetle
Engine: Flat-4
Transmission: swing axle
The TDS wonderbar is worth the money and its easy to install, it should take less than an hour to put in.
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Old May 22, 2003 | 12:43 AM
  #10  
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From: Changing Tires
Car: too many ...
I think the TDS piece will be the best fitment, but I run a Global West piece.
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Old May 22, 2003 | 12:46 AM
  #11  
MdFormula350's Avatar
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From: Maryland; USA
tds wonderbar = very install install.

sfc's i had quotes from 40 bucks to 80 bucks, so i did it with my grandfather for basically free other than time and stick welding rods.
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Old May 22, 2003 | 05:40 AM
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From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Concerning the Wonderbar, you might consider hitting the bone yards. I've picked up several in the five buck range. IROCs only.

JamesC
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