pls help guys i heard that the subframe connectors for a hartop camaros and t-tops wouldnt fit right on a convertible is that true?
which ones should i get for my 91 Z convertible
thanks

 

so are u telling me none of the convertible owners on this board have subframe connectrors? so ill be the only one? i need some help please

 

I don't have sfc's yet, but I will probably get spohn's when I buy them. I've read that they quality pieces, and basically the best. Top Down Solutions carries Alston sfc, which I've heard good things about too. Both of which should work on your 'vert.

Corey

 

Thanks man

 

Here are a couple of thread's with some info on subject, Hope this is of some help to you...................

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...ble+Conversion

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...ble+Conversion

Thanks

 

Whoever told you the SFC's for the Hardtop/T-Top thirdgens would not fit your convertible told you right. In the conversion ASC did a good bit (but not enough) to stiffen the cars. Because of this extra stiffening material the SFC's for the other cars will not fit.

I have the TDS/Alston SFC's. I have been very satisfied with them. I could immediatly feel the diffrence by the time I had driven the car ten feet after the installation.

There are other manufacuturers of SFC's for our cars but they are hard to find. I believe Sponn has some, Kenny Brown used to make a really good SFC for our cars but I heard they were no longer being produced.

Whatever brand you get I would offer this advice.
1. Have them welded on.
2. Have them welded on by a reputable shop with whom you are VERY confident they will do the job right. If these are done wrong you will regret it.
3. do not use the shop I used. I think they got the SFC's right but they scratched the hell out of my paint and would not make it right...

Good Luck!
Speedy

 

The TDS/Alston SFC's will fit all 3rd Gens. since they attach subframe to subframe and do not mount along the outside pinch rail. Those subframes that do mount along the outside pinch rail have specific non-convertible and convertible applications due to the extra material that ASC added to stiffen the pan. Spohn makes a convertible specific application, most others do not and they would need to be cut-down or modified to fit correctly. I was unaware that KB was no longer making the 3rd Gen SFC's, but even those needed to be modified to fit correctly in a convertible.

 

hmmmm... I have the Kenny Browns on my vert. I welded them in myself. They fit good with little work done to them.
Laters,
Conrad

 

the MAC subframes will fit too, that's my plan.

 

Bought 2 sets of the Alston's from Lon at TopDown Solutions... part of his group purchase.

Put one set on the IROC week before last. Son said he didn't notice that much difference. Jut got back from getting the set put on the Sport about 30 mintes ago.....

Oh my *** what a difference....prior to installation, I had a popping noise and feel when I would turn to the right after slowing down.

Now, I don't get that pop....

A LOT fewer groans out of it when transversing uneven pavement.

Guy that put them on builds 4 wheel drive rock climbers. He put the first set on to get the feel of it and it took him 5 hours...

Second set took @ 3 hours, BUT being the owner of the place, he was pulled away a LOT to deal with other customers, etc. since he was doing this 'cause he wanted to.


Very reasonable...if you happen to be around the Dallas area, he is in McKinney and would be glad to put some on for you. He welded and bolted them on.....even sprayed the welds and bolts with undercoating to prevent rust.

Thanks Lon for the group purchase (which included a Wonder Bar)

 

I got the MAC's... They work good... And they were cheap too!!

 

i have noticed a difference actually
i didn't at first, but i've realized there arent'y as many squeaks and groans as there was before.

thanks dad

 

No prob son.....:lala:

 

Just a quick question on SFCs: on my vert I have the neon underbody kit (I know, I didn't come to argue whether it looked cool or not) but does that need to be removed in order to make room for the SFC? The tubes are connected to the side of the side panels below the door.

 

Depends on which one's you get. Thge Alston's don't come near enough to the side frames to bother you.

 

MAC or Alston SFC's would work for your application. Spohn's version of SFC for a convertible would require you to remove the neons.

Lon

 

I have spohn's SFCs. I noticed a difference as soon as I got in and closed the door.

 

So does that mean you can use both the Alston's and the Spohn's together since one is a perimeter type and the Alstons are subframe to subframe?
Has anyone done this?

 

Tell me guys, is it possible to get rid of the "rain gutter" so called subframe connectors on the convertibles and install a standard type connector? I really like the Competition Bolt In type connector and feel like they are rigid and beefy enough to do the job. I was thinking of installing these connectors and welding them in place. What is your opinions on this? I have had these connectors on a former Camaro (not convertible and bolt in) and they worked great. Opinions? Thanks for what you can offer.

 

Well, my buddy who's a bit of a motive freak, whereas I'm the home theater buff...he sounds like he's come up with something to weld in himself, vs buying a kit. His feeling is Everything from stock canbe improved upon. If you can't fabricate and weld, bolt ins pre done are the best alternative.
I assume mine is ASC's alone and yeah,the car bends when getting agressive, but daily driving has not been a problem. I'll certainly consider future improvements when I can get past plain ole resto work hehe
Bill

 

Is there any reason that the "rain gutter" boxes that run down the sills cant be removed and install a standard subframe connector (bolt in or weld in)? There are some really good ones on the market and it would be nice to take advantage of a standard one. Any ideas?

 

Yankeecarman,

I agree with something Bill Speed said above. Anything stock can be improved on.

The question you pose is interesting. Honestly, I've never even considered it so I am not sure how the ASC stiffeners are attached...

I would observe that the SFC's on the market were not designed to replace stiffening but to suppliment it.

If you remove the ASC stiffening the you will most likely have to go back in that same area and replace it with something similar but preferrably stiffer,

If you are going to go to the trouble to remove the std. ASC stuff you probably shouuld be prepared to go on and do a complete custom job.

That's my $.02

 

I dont think the so called boxes would be doing much. I think by going back to basics and strengthening the long sill area and tying the subframes into one would be the way to go. I would definietly go with a triangulated type.

 

By the rain gutters, you mean the lower black portion running from wheel well to wheel well below the door?
I actually thought a good portion of reinforcement from ASC is in there, but I am no expert either. It reinforces my black and white scheme, so no problem in my opinion. I am a fan of large flares and spoilers from my youth
Bill

 

I wonder if anyone would have info on if there is anything contained in those boxes. My opion is that there is nothing and no reason why they could not be removed to put on some decent sfcs.

 

Yankeecarman,

I am at work right now and procrastinating... I don't have time to do the looking right now but I seem to remember on this site somebody having a diagram and list of the pieces attached to the T-top car to stiffen it prior to removing the top to make a vert out of it. If you get the time you might do a search...

Speedy

 

Speedgraphic,
That would be beneficial but I think that the convertible is the only one of the camaros that have the boxed in section running up the sills. We really need to know if there is any thing contained in the boxes. I would be willing to bet nothing. One reason that I think they can be removed and replaced with proper sfcs. I really dont know how much they are welded in place.

 

if it wouldnt be too much trouble, next time some of you guys have your vert lifted, could you take a pic of your sub-frames? I'll probibly be in the market for some soon, and most likely i'll buy both kinds for my very. Wish we could use the slp subframes that i have on my 97 SS, Feels like i slipped a viagra into the gastank. that sucker is stiff.