Hi guys, I am going to order the Panhard rod and LCA's soon and I was just looking at all the other parts he has and I came across his wonderbar replacment. Is this part worth me getting since I already have the stock one? Will there be ANY improvement at all over my stock one? I mean if it will make a difference then the $60 is worth it to me, but if not then the money can be spent else where. Thanks for any replies....

 

I bought the Global West bar for $46 shipped. The aftermarket bars are much beefier than the factory bar.

Take off your old one, clean it up and hit it with the spray can and throw it on ebay to recoup some of your money.

 

i personaly think the stock peice is plenty if you already have it.

 

I agree w/ Dewey on this one.

 

me too........

 

Why spend money on a item you already have (stock on IROC)that does a acceptable job. Now if you didn't have one by all means get one.

 

Well thanks guys, thats what I was thinking.....

 

I just ordered one from TDS for about $42 shipped and just sold my stock one for $65 shipped.

 

good deal!! got money back for more mods

that new one from tds looks great..

 

if you buy one, be ready to cut it. i just got done installing mine today. i got it from spohn. i had to shave back my dual fan mounts, notch the bar to the rear about 1/8 inch for clearance from the power steering lines, and i had to enlarge both holes and the slot for the sway bar bushing on the passenger side. a lot of work, but i didnt have one to begin with so i guess its worth the time invested to save the subframe from cracking

 

You only have to make those mod's on the more expensive Steering Braces. The TDS 105021 brace fits as delivered. Sorry if that isn't challenging enough.

Lon Salgren
Top-DownSolutions

 

I notice that TDS sells ET improver plates that mount under one side of the front swaybar. Was thinking that quite possibly you guys with any clearence problems could buy two of these sets and use as shims for more clearence of any other aftermarket bar you may have trouble fitting.

Always looking for new or better uses of existing products.

 

My Global West bar did not need any trimming, but it was slightly off on one spot. The bolt still fit with a little force.

 

Looks to me like it wouldn't be too hard for a resourceful hot rodder to build one for himself. Am I wrong here??

 

I could use long slotted holes and then some cars wouldn't be off 1/8", every car is tweaked differently. To me, long slotted holes don't provide for good reinforcements. I'd rather have to slightly open one hole if my car is a little off. But if you guys want long slotted holes so you can hang weight on your car, I'd be happy to oblige, just let me know

Steve

 

unless you are doing some kind of hardcore slalom racing or something like that then I would think that the stock piece would be just fine. I also think that it seems pretty easy to make your own wonder bar. I am getting a welder soon so I think that I am going to try fabbing my own wonderbar and rear lower control arms. It doesn't seem to be all that complicated. ANd while all you other guys are out there spending a ton of money I will only have had to spend for the price of materials(very cheap!!!). Hahaha

 

Hey Steve, when will you have an '82 version.

Is there a big difference in the '82? size - shape?
If I use your current version, what whould I need to do to make it work.

My 82 TA is very far from stock...

Ron

 

We have an 82 version, I just haven't put it on the site yet. If you need one for an 82, just call or email me.

I'm building them specific to the 82 instead of using long slots so one bar fits all cars. The only difference is that the (most) 82 uses in-line sway bar bushing mount bolt pattern, where the 83-92 are staggered.

Steve

 

I'll give you a jingle, next payday...

Ron

 

Agreed, don't slot the holes unless you have another pair of holes controlling the X & Y location of the brace (as my version does). I don't see how slotting the holes solves the clearance issue with the lower fan support and power steering line, as mentioned previously.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

 

i slotted the bolt holes and the bushing holes so i could move the brace back away from the steering lines and the fan mounts. even then i had to trim quite a bit off the fan mounts to fit it. well worth the effort though, steering response is great.

 

Wait. Does the wonder bar go on the outside of the radiator area or the inside (engine bay) side of the radiator area? I was under the impression that it went on the sway bar mount in front of the radiator and I was unable to do it because my aftermarket trans cooler lines were in the way. I think someone gave me the wrong install instructions back then. DOH! Or maybe they did. I am confused. LoL.

 

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/Doc...structions.pdf

My instructions for the installation of the Steering Brace (aka Wonderbar) show how it is to be mounted.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

 

Mine is installed with the bar itself towards the rear of the car, in relation to the sway bar mounts (contradictory to the diagram above). It's a Spohn and it fits perfect.

 

what about the ultimate reinforcement, welding the wonder bar in

 

Could you give the link for the TDS steering brace? I couldn't find it on their site.

Thanks,
Craig

 

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/pro...e421cede2e7e7d

Ed

 

Wow...how cool is this. Both Steve Spohn and Lon Salgren as moderators on the same board :hail: . I got the Spohn SFCs last month...love 'em. Think I'll get the TDS wonderbar next, and be a customer of both