I bought the Spohn Wonderbar and I am really disappointed. I have the dual cooling fan set up and there is no way that I can make it fit. Spohn has told me that I have to grind down the cooling fan bosses but that isn't even enough.
The only way I would be able to make it fit is to cut the bar off of the tabs and reweld the bar to the bottom side of them rather than have the taps welded to the center of the tube like they made it.

I have emailed them and so far their support has been terrible. They told me to shave the cooling fan bosses and wont respond further.

If you are looking into doing this, spend your money somewhere else. If you buy the spohn you will have to cut it up and re engineer the piece to make it work. You would be better off buying some steel stock and making your own for $15.

 

I've had three of the TDS wonder bars. Not sure who actually makes them or if its an actual TDS design. However they work, they are your best bet. No modifications have been necessary to make them work on any cars I've installed them on.

I only bring this up as an alternative for you if you can't make your Spohn unit work.

 

spohn unit work but i have a single fan setup. it was a fairly easy install.

 

i just got the spohn wonder bar also. extremely dissapointed with it. i was under the impression that it was a simple bolt on part just like the factory one that came on the z28 with 245/50 tires. boy was i mistaken. totally not worth it just like b4ccamaro said, go buy your own stock and fab your own.

 

Another option for those who haven't purchased is the Global West version. Simple bolt-up with dual fans.

JamesC

 

I found that one after ordering the spohn and it looks like a much better fit than the spohn. If I can get a refund, I will be buying that one for sure.

 

Just to put everyone's mind at ease, the TDS version works with both dual and single electric fan based cars. The redesigned version now works on 1982 Firebirds and Camaros. Supposedly earlier versions did not. The only known compatibility issue with this version is with the 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am. Apparently it doesn't work with those cars. I can't speak to the reason for that but evidently there is something different about the Turbo TA in regard to that area of the car.

I've tested the TDS part on the following vehicles:

1985 Trans Am (LB9, A4) -Single fan
1987 Trans Am (LB9, A4) -Dual fan
1987 Trans Am (LG4, A4) -Single fan
1992 Firebird Formula (LB9, M5) -Dual fan

All the vehicles excluding the 1992 Firebird were using the old version of the TDS Wonderbar which only had two bolt holes using the steering support brackets. The new version has a third bolt hole which attaches directly to the frame. It is a bit harder to install but appears to be a better design.

 

i had to shave down my single fan stock setup to put a sphon wonderbar on i wasnt really worried about it. on the other hand it clears the dual fan ls-1 fan setup i now have on it with no problems!

 

I wasn't that fortunate with the stock duals. How well do those ls dual fans work anyway? is it worth the swap?

 

for me it was i was getting hot and single fan couldnt keep up. went to the duals and all good. took me a couple hours to install them. including trimming down the fan to fit, trimming down the upper radiator mount to clear, and to wire it up

 

I didn't have the stock dual fans to start with, either. My car was running hot on hot days, so i re-attached the air dam (shaven a bit, car sits too low) and it was still running borderline hot. I swapped to the dual fan (simple, simple swap if you have a donor car) and now it doesn't go 190+. To me it was a no brainer (since i had them at my disposal) It's only going to help.

 

I ran into the same problem you have and Spohn is right, you need to shave the cooling fan bosses down and it will fit.

 

I recently installed BMR's wonderbar(steering brace) and I had to grind off much of the dual fan mounting bosses also. Once I did that it bolted up. They said you could reuse the stock bolts, and I managed to get them back in there, but if you can spare it, get longer bolts guys.

As for it bracing the steering... it still "clunks" when you turn the wheel lock to lock, but not quite as bad. Overall, I am/was dissapointed.

 

get the TDS version. money well spent!

 

I totally agree! Plug and Play my ***. I had to grind and pry to get the bitch to line up. Although, it's totally worth it now!!!

 

Ah, the Wonder bar....You buy it and then Wonder what it does?? Really nothing for performance or handling. It is just a support piece that GM added to correct a design flaw with the new wide tires. Also adding this part now on 20yr old car is not going to do anything.

 

glad i have one stock!

 

if you have the black triangle suport brakets on your car. you dont need that Bar. why do you thing GM stopped installing them,

 

IROC's have both.

JamesC

 

YES..you can install Both

 

Some fun facts about the brace mentioned above:

82-86 Brace, F/End Lwr Structure
87-88 Brace, Lwr Structure
89-90 Brace, Lwr Structure (Tray & Cann)
90 Brace, Lwr Structure (Tray and Canister)

All have the same part number: 14083989

My 85 shop manual calls the piece a Brace, Frt, C/Member-RH. No mention is made of a LH. And according to Spohn, IIRC, not all cars have them.

GM, gotta love'em.

JamesC

 

Ill admit there wasn't much to be had by installing it, but there is a steering difference for sure. I could feel it in the response the car had.
I found the stock one and put it on. I sent my spohn one back. I can't wait to see what kind of a refund I will get for it.

 

- a 25% restocking fee.. it's better to just sell it off, it will save you money

 

Quit messing around with these other companies just go ahead and purchase fom UMI Performance. I bought mine esay bolt on less then 3 minutes to be exact no complications whats so ever. Also I have dual fans just to put it out there.

Tony.

 

Without a doubt if need one in the future, the UMI one will be the one I buy.

 

Well spohn actually gave me a full refund, minus a buck actually. So I can't say I won't use them again but I will definitely do some more research before I buy. Thanks guys for all the input.

 

You cant go bad with UMI though. I love there parts im saving up to get there adjustable pan hard rod and also the relocating one that goes on top as well.

Tony.

 

UMI is looking better and better.

 

thats cool that spohn gave you most of your money back. i still will go with umi from now on.

 

Have the same problem with my dual fan TPI setup and the spohn $h1t. For me it's not an option to return it as shipping costs would be to expensive. The workaround they mention to shave off the fan bosses is also nonsense as the fan bolts can never be installed with the bar in the way.

The only potential solution might be too fabricate some distant pieces to lower the bar a bit. Still have to see if this will work.

 

That's an interesting thought. With longer fasteners, it shouldn't really compromise the strength substantially, yet allow more clearance.

The '89 Indy Pace Car T/A with 3.8L turbo used spacers under the front sway bar for engine clearance, IIRC.

 

A 1/2" flange and longer bolts should do the job. Will keep you updated

 

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. Yes ours will clear with no issues.

Happy New Year!

 

Go with UMI everyone! Theirs works great.

 

I can't speak about the UMI one, but I reccomend the top-down solutions model.

 

Today I tried the blocks and can say they worked like a charm. Thickness is 12mm although I still shaved the very bottom part of the fan boss just to ensure the fans don't hit the bar. See below




Had to change the bolt length also

 

Here's the UMI Steering Brace/wonderbar and the car it went on.
Its a Monster. Love it......

 

Ron, that frame needs to be welded and reinforced, or replaced.

 

bump

 

Same Spohn wonder bar install problem here! In addition of a dual fan setup I run an aftermarket ticker aluminum radiator so there is no way it will ever fit...Waste of money? Yeah! Waste of time too

 

The top-down solutions 'wonder bar' is my go-to. It's the first thing I ordered for our second Formula. Fits dual fans no problem.

 

Please explain to me why ?

I do not believe this car has a traditional frame. Its a uni-body.

 

I'll bet he's seeing the shadow from the flash off the edge of that bracket, and thinks it s big crack.

 

I'm not trying to steal this thread but anything is possible with this car, so if he sees something we don't I would like to know.

 

on a side note: the top down solutions. is a close copy of the GM bar. and fits all years 82/92.
so if your looking to save a pound and a half. it would be a way to go..
red
black
and
yellow Zink

I have a new UMI bar (red) ill be placing up for sale. as I'm going with the top down unit to save wt.

 

Yes, but then you wont be able to take it off and use it as a club !

Besides Ive seen your engine. You might need a little extra weight to keep that car "on" the track......

 

Man I feel good about my junkyard score. $20 and if fit pretty good. Just need a coat of fresh paint.

On a side note why would Spohn continue to make a crap design? They are well aware of the issue and could remedy it pretty quickly, yet they would rather make us do unnecessary work.

 

OK K MEMBER OR FRONT CRADLE

 

" OK K MEMBER OR FRONT CRADLE " ?

How about a little photo shop or "paint" application with an arrow on it because I don't see it. Any body else see it.

 

That is great to hear. Thanks for the pictures and for sharing. We just picked up a 91 1LE so I was going to post some installed photos as well.