I've been trying to do a little searching, and I just want to know exactly how the factory determined which car got a steering brace. Is it all IROC's, or just IROC's with 16 inch wheels? Is it maybe only the 88-90 IROC's with the 16's (not the standard 15's)? It just seems like it's hit and miss for which cars had the wonder bar.

It was only the IROC that they came with, correct?

Would a 91/92 Z28 1LE have the wonder bar as well?

 

Every IROC I've looked at has had the wonder bar regardless of 15" or 16" rims or other performance suspension options. If it was an IROC, it had a wonder bar.

 

Although it was supposed to be an Iroc specific part there have been reports of 91 Z28's having factory installed wonderbars. Perhaps it was one of those use up the Leftover parts on the line things and once they were gone that was it.

 

The IROC-Z was a sub-model, so to speak, of Z28. After Chevrolet decided that more could be accomplished by spending their racing dollars in series where Chevrolets raced other cars instead of racing Chevrolets, they continued to use the chassis parts they had developed on the "main" model, even after they no longer could use the "sub-model" branding stickers they had licensed from the racing organization.

So yes, the 90-92 Z28s (after the IROC contract went away) got them too.

 

Ok, so if ALL IROC's got them, then why do I always see people (especially 85-87) owners asking about where to get them?

 

Though I can't answer you question, I can say that my 85 IROC came equipped with the wonderbar.

JamesC

 

I don't think that's a question we can answer. You might want to ask them next time you see them asking!!

 

That is only correct for 1985 through 1987, where the IROC-Z was a seperate option code (B4Z) on top of the Z28 code. From 1988 to 1990 all Z28's were also IROC-Z's, as the B4Z code no longer existed.

 

IROC-Z's were officially the only cars to have them. If 91-92 Z28's have them stock, they're leftover parts.

 

My '92 Z28 does not have one and it has all the factory performance goodies.

 

Thanks for the answers guys.

 

Yup all Irocs and that's it! Don't think it was an option on any other model.

 

My 1991 Z28 1LE doen't have one. It was also an early 1991 model (built Oct/1990).

 

Right... because it isnt' an Iroc. They were only available in them.

 

My '91 Z has the wonderbar,2nd owner btw.

 

For any other model year that would have been early in the production. However, 1991 started far earlier because the 1990 model year ended 12/89.

Lon

 

Can Isee a picture of one and can they be added to a 92 RS?

 

Yes. Here is my version of Steering Brace (aka Wonderbar).



Here is a GM Wonderbar.



Either one will fit your RS. A GM bar has a .75" diameter center bar. Mine is 1" and powder-coated.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

 

how do i know if i have one?

 

TaKe a look. It mounts between the sway bar bushing brackets and the frame. They only came on the IROC's, but a previous owner could have installed one on your car.

Lon

 

just as i thought....i dont have it

 

Lon, I purchased one of your wonder bars. I just got back from the Power Tour, so I haven't put it on yet. Hopefully it will go on today. I am very pleased with the quality and workmanship of the bar ( and my 1LE sway bar links that I ordered), keep it up!

 

Another shot of where the wonderbar goes (BTW, mine is for sale )

 

ok, how much can that really help?

 

Not sure, but I do know that it stiffened things up quite a bit when cornering!

 

When I installed one on my '83 Z28, it did tighten up the front end considerably, especially over rough stuff, like small potholes, speed bumps, etc.

I installed a factory 34mm hollow swaybar (32mm solid is stock '83 Z28) at the same time though, so I couldn't tell you exactly how much was the swaybar, and how much was the wonderbar. I did notice a difference though.

 

Well, hit me up with a PM if anyone needs a wonderbar or 34mm hollow sway bar w/new poly links...

because you know you want that handling!!