so im swappin in a higher horse 350 this winter... in the ballpark of 400 horse/ torque. What kind of horse do these cars handl e b4 they start flexin to the point where **** breaks? is there anything else besides subframe connectors needed to stiffen these cars up? im really not cool with shatterin a top all over myself if i jump on it ;p... i really just dont kno how twisty these cars are and i dont need it to turn into a pretzel... thanks a ton in advance!!!

 

I am at the 525 HP level with around 515 TQ and no problems here. I also run a strut tower brace and body stiffeners along with a wonderbar.

 

Regarless of any hp, sfc should be done. The "wonderbar" (ie steering brace helps alot, and a strut tower brace doesn't hurt - but definitely sfc's.

 

I had SFC put in my car within the first week I owned it back in 1999. A year later I had a 6 point roll car installed because I was knocking on the door of an 11 second pass. I now have a full cage and still have no problems with my T-tops even though I'm knocking on the door of an 8 second pass.

Start with SFC. They're the most economical investment you can make. A roll bar with swing out door bars will help even a 13 second car but it makes the back seat useless. If you don't already have one, get a rear sway or anti roll bar installed. This will also reduce the amount of flexing the body will do.

The strut tower brace stiffs up the front for cornering.

 

Sounds like a lot of fun!!
We hope to be in that area soon. We have TDS wonderbar, but no tower brace.
We plan on SFCs, torque arm & relo cross member, & LCAs.
Not too sure on rear tire type just yet.

 

I blew a T-top off my 86 350 Camaro racing, before I wised up, and installed SFC's.BTW, I was racing an 86 Vette same color as my car, and with a 350, I never let up, and smoked him, when I got home the first words out of my wife's mouth was "Where the f is the t-top??" Glad no one was in the lane behind me, cuz it blew into a million pieces what it hit the road..

 

I guess I forgot to mention, I was also able to swap my original glass T-tops for some Lexan ones from a Formula Firebird. Good weight saving for me.

 

The first thing I did, after I bought my 86, was have subframe connectors welded in under my car. I knew I would be building a higher power engine for it (I am getting near done with my 383 ), and I have T-tops. I should have better handling and no problems.

here's my swap thread, if anyone's interested:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...st-ever-v.html

 

Great idea, I thought about doing that with the back glass..They weigh a ton.