Fabrication Custom fabrication ideas and concepts ranging from body kits, interior work, driveline tech, and much more.

make my own SFC?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-02-2005, 11:10 PM
  #1  
Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Blake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: okotoks Alberta
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 406ci
Transmission: T-56 LT1
Axle/Gears: 3.42
make my own SFC?

I work at a speed shop and live in canada. if I had money coming out my *** i'd buy the sphon SFC. and also I believe alston as well. as they work together. however why not just make my own using chromoly tubular metal? anyone agree? anyone got any pix of mounting areas for the BEST place to mount ur SFC's?

and cross brase perhaps as well


cheers

blake
Old 11-02-2005, 11:17 PM
  #2  
Moderator

 
AlkyIROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,110
Likes: 0
Received 120 Likes on 101 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Mine are made from some 2" square tubing. They run roughly under the center of the front seats. It takes a bit of work to angle and gusset the ends to make a clean appearance where they're welded on.

There's no specific location where they need to be welded to the subframes. Everyone has they're own idea where they should go. Some of the aftermarket ones run roughly where I have mine. Others run along the rockers. The passenger side is the hardest when you need to clear an exhaust system. Mine originally had a sectioned notch to go under a 3" pipe. The exhaust is long gone but the notch is still in the SFC.

There might be some pics on my web site that you could see the SFC.
Old 11-03-2005, 06:22 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
89_ho_rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Eastern Connecticut
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 RS Camaro
Engine: 350 Carb(soon a 400)
Transmission: 5-Speed/th350
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73
how thick is your square tubing?
Old 11-03-2005, 07:48 AM
  #4  
Moderator

 
AlkyIROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,110
Likes: 0
Received 120 Likes on 101 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
I can't remember. Probably has a wall thickness of only 1/8". It doesn't need to be thick and heavy.
Old 11-03-2005, 01:38 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
 
urbanhunter44's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Brighton, CO
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: '72 Chevy Nova
Engine: Solid roller 355
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 8.5" 10-bolt 3.73 Posi
Mines made out of 2.5" rollcage tubing. Works AWESOME.
Old 11-03-2005, 02:48 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
89_ho_rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Eastern Connecticut
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 RS Camaro
Engine: 350 Carb(soon a 400)
Transmission: 5-Speed/th350
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73
I can get some 2 inch rollcage tubing. is that strong enough or is it overkill?
Old 11-03-2005, 10:01 PM
  #7  
Supreme Member

 
AM91Camaro_RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Central FL
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 91 Camaro
Engine: 3.1...not hardly stock
Transmission: 700r4....not stock either
Axle/Gears: 3.73
i made mine out of 2" square. i forget the wall thickness but they're probably a little thicker than they need to be (cause they are heavy! about 35lbs for the two).
Attached Thumbnails make my own SFC?-im001633.jpg  
Old 11-04-2005, 06:32 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
89_ho_rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Eastern Connecticut
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 RS Camaro
Engine: 350 Carb(soon a 400)
Transmission: 5-Speed/th350
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73
AM91Camaro_RS those look awsome. how much did those stiffen up your car? would it have made a difference if you had put them on the frame peices? thanks
Old 11-04-2005, 11:41 AM
  #9  
Supreme Member

 
AM91Camaro_RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Central FL
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 91 Camaro
Engine: 3.1...not hardly stock
Transmission: 700r4....not stock either
Axle/Gears: 3.73
thanks. i really can't feel that much of a difference in the stiffness of the car over than bumps feel a little rougher. t-tops still squeek a little. what do you mean "if i had put them on the frame pieces"? on the front, the are attached to where the subframe connects to the rocker panels and on the back they are attached to the rear subframe via the LCA bolt (are a few welds). then, the diagonal braces are welded to the subframe right at the tranny crossmember.
Old 11-04-2005, 01:40 PM
  #10  
Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Blake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: okotoks Alberta
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 406ci
Transmission: T-56 LT1
Axle/Gears: 3.42
I'm just wondering if I should do something like that (thanks for the pics) and then put in a cross brace as well ????? is that not what people are trying to achieve when the use the sphon SFC and the alston ones both together? they said it works really freakin cool. my other car is a full framed car (80 malibu) just dont like this unibody deal!!! lol but I'm guessing making a cross brace somehow would really work well basiccally an 'X' between the two that run front to back. just gott worry about exhaust cleaerances etc. however I wanted to run dual 3" and seen some guys run it down the drive shaft housing, so I think thats where i will run mine. good for ground clearance and then I would be able to mock something like this up as well.


tell me what you guys think? I havne't had a good looksee under there. only off jackstands and I'm not in the phase of about to do this...just planning ahead.

cheers

blake
Old 11-04-2005, 03:10 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
89_ho_rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Eastern Connecticut
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 RS Camaro
Engine: 350 Carb(soon a 400)
Transmission: 5-Speed/th350
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73
I just saw that your braces connect to the front part. where you have your lift point is where I have seen some of the other sfc connected. yours look more heavy duty.
Old 11-04-2005, 04:20 PM
  #12  
Supreme Member

 
AM91Camaro_RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Central FL
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 91 Camaro
Engine: 3.1...not hardly stock
Transmission: 700r4....not stock either
Axle/Gears: 3.73
yes, i thought about connecting mine where i have the lift under the front but i didn't because i, personally, felt like it might allow more flex in the connectors. but, if they're built/welded right, that may not be an issue.
Old 11-04-2005, 08:10 PM
  #13  
Moderator

 
AlkyIROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,110
Likes: 0
Received 120 Likes on 101 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
I'll try to get some pics of mine this weekend. The car's up on 4 jack stands now.
Old 11-04-2005, 08:30 PM
  #14  
Supreme Member

 
AM91Camaro_RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Central FL
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 91 Camaro
Engine: 3.1...not hardly stock
Transmission: 700r4....not stock either
Axle/Gears: 3.73
i've also got pics from the back and pics of the sfcs before install if anyone's interested. i don't wanna hog the bandwidth on here but if people are interested, i'll host them somewhere or something.
Old 11-04-2005, 09:08 PM
  #15  
Senior Member

iTrader: (5)
 
chevymec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Richlands N.C.
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '92 RS
Engine: 350 carb'd
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 4.10
2" square tubing works good as any. I cut the angle on the front to fit up into the "frame" in the front and then welded them to the bottom of the "frame" in the back. I also have some pics if needed.
Old 11-04-2005, 11:13 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
89_ho_rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Eastern Connecticut
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 RS Camaro
Engine: 350 Carb(soon a 400)
Transmission: 5-Speed/th350
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73
I would like to see some more pics. I like to see what everyone has and get some ideas for myself. thanks alot.
Old 11-04-2005, 11:17 PM
  #17  
Supreme Member

 
AM91Camaro_RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Central FL
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 91 Camaro
Engine: 3.1...not hardly stock
Transmission: 700r4....not stock either
Axle/Gears: 3.73
ok, I went ahead and hosted them on my site so, they might stay for a long time...they might not.

Old 11-04-2005, 11:19 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
89_ho_rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Eastern Connecticut
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 RS Camaro
Engine: 350 Carb(soon a 400)
Transmission: 5-Speed/th350
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73
I really like those sfc's. I also noticed your exhaust. I like the collecter idea. did you notice a difference in handleing when you boxed in your lca's?
Old 11-04-2005, 11:27 PM
  #19  
Supreme Member

 
AM91Camaro_RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Central FL
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 91 Camaro
Engine: 3.1...not hardly stock
Transmission: 700r4....not stock either
Axle/Gears: 3.73
thanks! yeah, the exhaust was done custom (obviously). I didn't really box the LCAs for handling purposes but more for launching. I drag race the car more than road race or anything of that nature. I did notice that it spun the tires more on launch than it did before boxing them. that, in essence, was my goal...transfer more tq to the rear tires. New tires made up for that, though as the old ones were OLD and wore out!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kairles
Camaros for Sale
7
10-26-2015 09:13 PM
Bubbajones_ya
Electronics
4
08-31-2015 12:02 PM
86White_T/A305
LTX and LSX
0
08-17-2015 12:16 AM
mustangman65_79
Body
3
08-11-2015 03:17 PM
z28addict8490
Interior
6
08-07-2015 08:48 PM



Quick Reply: make my own SFC?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:14 AM.