I need some SFC's for my vert and I'm wondering if anyone else is in need of them as well. I want the Alstons. Just wondering if we can get enough interest in a group purchase?

I think the Alston's would be a VERY good choice to do a GP on....mainly because even those of us with Spohn's or similar designs can use the Alston's as well. That and the fact that if I recall correctly, the Alston's already are decently priced would make them a very good choice.

Alston or Mac's, they're both the same design.

I would be interested depending on price/design. Is it weld on or bolt on? Will I lose ground clearance? Will it restrict my ability to go do a dual cat setup?

Any info/specs?

THe Alstons can be bolted in and welded. This is borrowed from the TDS website(hopefully this will be allright with Lon).

"These SFC's differ from the majority that are on the market in several ways. Most aftermarket SFC's are perimeter-mounted. This means they run along the pinch-rail just behind the side ground effects (if present). That design of SFC will not work for a convertible, since ASC (the company that did the factory authorized convertible conversions) riveted a formed sheet metal reinforcement piece in this location. That design of SFC also fails to tie into the front sub-frame that the engine cradle and transmission are hung from. Some manufacturers attempt to correct for this by providing additional tubing pieces that are to be welded from the SFC to the car’s front sub-frame near the transmission cross-member. This does indeed tie in the front sub-frame, but it is a cantilevered point, which will be weaker than tying into the front sub-frame directly. You also have the additional weight of these pieces to contend with. "

I haven't had time to mention it yet, but as of January I've lowered the price of the Alston SFC's from $198 to $189. I also added the option of ordering them un-coated (bare steel) for an additional savings of $15. I have 9 more sets un-coated. You can also save by deleting the installation kit (8 gr8 bolts & nyloc-insert nuts). When I get a chance I'll update the page for a delete hardware kit opton. In the meantime you can just include a note asking me to delete the hardware kit. You'll save an additional $7. If you're just going to weld them in you won't need the kit. You'd only need it IF you drill and mount the SFC's by bolting them in. Of course I still recommend having them MIG welded too. I won't be running another GP any time soon. I went ahead and placed a LARGE stocking order in November. I have plenty in stock currently ready to ship.

Thanks,

Lon

How about we try to set up a group with the Mac SFC's. They're the same design for only $135. The cup is just a lil different.

http://www.macperformance.com/store/...Product_ID=434

Will the Mac work with convertibles? There really isn't much info on the link - it just said it was for Third Gens.

The Mac may also fit alittle better than the Alstons! I have heard alot of people are having a bit of trouble getting them installed.

If we can clarify that the mac SFC's will fit the convertables(I don't see why they wouldn't because they aren't parimeter mount) and in my case I need something that wil accomidate a Dual cat setup.Otherwise I have no preference between the Macs and Alstons.

They're the same design as Alston's. Yes they'll work on verts. Don't know about dual cats....you may be able to find that information by doing a search.

Take a look at the MAC's. I wouldn't call them the same design as Alston's. Granted I agree they are similar in look and how they are routed under the car. HOW they mount is very different. The MAC SFC's would be much simpler to manufacture. They have a plate at each end which is welded to the front and rear sub-frames of the car. The Alston SFC's have a laser-cut and formed cup or pocket which snugly wraps around 3 or 4 sides of the front and rear sub-frame locations before they are welded in place. The Alston SFC's also allow you the option of installing them yourself at home by by drilling and bolting them in place, then you can drive the car to a muffler shop or welder and have them MIG welded in place to secure them even better.


Lon

But Lon, alot of people tell me they are having problems with them...Why is that?? I really want the Alstons trust me, but I want to make sure they fit without any problems.

Yes, I've seen the Macs and the Alstons. Once they're welded in, it really wouldn't make that much of a difference. I can make cups for the pads for $10 if I wanted to do so. If people weren't worried about cost, there wouldn't be a need for a group purchase.

The way I'm seeing it is $135 vs $189 for some cups.

I already have Spohns, the Macs would just be a lil extra for me.

BTW, I've contacted Mac to see if they would possibly be interested just in case. I told them we were considering it but yet we're also thinking of other providers as well.

If you're going to use these Mac's in conjunction with the Spohn set would you recommend getting the Spohn SFC's if they were to be the only connectors present? Which SFC's would be better for a car with no SFC's to begin with?

I've heard good good results from people using Macs and Alston's.


I do like my Spohn's.

Honestly, if I were to do it again, I'd buy the Macs first since they're cheaper. For some, that extra tightening would be all they would need. If I needed more later (which I do prefer) I'd have bought the Spohns.

No, I'm not trying to get people in on the Mac GP. It's there if people want to do it, if not, it's no big deal.

Ok thanks for the info, I'll have to keep this GP in mind and see if the funds come in.

I'm interested... depending on the price. let me know.

There's another thread in this forum about them

i am interested in these but i really need to see pics of them installed cause i can't quite visualize where they attach. if someone could post a pic that would be great (alstons or macs). i am assuming they can go on hardtop/ttop cars alike cause you guys are talking about having both these and other sfc. will they effect the routing of stock style exhaust? i plan to run the 2055 headers and a 3" flowmaster system, and the jegs connectors i had on my last car cleared fine. i will reuse my jegs connectors as they were bolt in, as long as they weren't bent from the wreck. i would like a second set for that much more ridgidity. i had a roll bar in the last car. the reason why it didn't fold up on top of me was cause of the bar and the sfc, the more reinforcement i have under there, the safer i will feel about driving the car. i don't think this next car will have a roll bar as i am going for a "sleeper" look, but i do want the stiffest possible chassis all the way to 12.00 in the 1/4. does this make sense?

These are where the Alston/Macs bolt up. Notice the old style Spohns already mounted on the car. The new style mount the same spot, but are tubular.

mmk, will the stock style exhaust fit in with the alston/mac designed sfc?

It should, I haven't heard of any problems. You may need to drop the I pipe from the cat to install it, then reconnect.

right, right, cool. thanks man. i think i may go with these for extra stiffening so i don't have to put a bar in it till 11.99 see i put a bar in the last car for additional stiffening, even though it only ran 13's. the car will eventually run faster, but i won't have to worry about pulling the entire interior to put these alston's on the car! which is a big plus. let me do some figuring, i probably won't be able to get these till late april...

I don't get it - How can you have 2 sets of SFC's on at the same time - Overclk350-I looked at that pic for 10 minutes and I can't see where the spohns are....

Another Nice setup Option.
http://www.swracecars.com/f-body.html

Not my car but ALSTONS inplace

2.

Thanks for the pics - explains a lot!