Hey, guys...I bought a set of SFCs from TDS and I want to have them installed/welded in. Locally, I've checked with a couple of muffler shops with the right sort of lift & a welding company...nobody wants to touch it. Either “we are scared of it…” or “we stopped doing it three years ago.” All I can get is a 'good luck finding someone.'

I don't own any welding equipment, have never welded anything in my life…and I don’t want this to be my first experiment. I don't have any friends that have equipment to do this. Where (or what kind of places) are you guys taking your cars to have SFCs installed? I know most of you do it yourself, but I don't have the tools or the facilities for that, and I'm starting to get a little worried. I'm in Huntsville (Alabama), but I'd drive to Birmingham or Nashville to have it done, if any of the brethren in those areas knows of a place?? Anybody?

 

call a local speed shop....they'll point you in the right direction.

 

Yep, or ask around in a local camaro/mustang group. Thats how I found mine.

 

Im getting mine done at SpeedTeck for $75. If you have one around you, I would check up on them.

 

I've had a similar problem yesterday and today. I've had my subframe connectors for about a year now and i tried to get it done last year but gave up after the first attempt. I tried again yesterday and today. All of them said they could do it. First attempt yesterday, it was a body shop btw, but they didn't give me a price so i'm not sure how much they would want to do it. Second one wants $5-600 to do, wtf, i'm not asking them to make them for me just weld a few things. The third one i got down to $200 but that still seems like too much. The fourth one didn't have the equipment yet, brand new shop. And the fifth shop Meineke, starts off by telling me that the subframe connectors are garbage and look like they were made in someones backyard. They're spohn tubular ones which are one of, if not the best out there for our cars. I drove it on the lift and the guy told me to tell him what to do so i held the drivers side up to the floor and when he saw my floor boards were rusted a little in the rocker area he said that i would have to bring it to a body shop to have done. So they drove it off the lift (that was an adventure) and I went home. The rust is all surface rust and would clean up with a wire brush or grinder. People around here think removing one lca bolt is a big deal. That's the first thing out of everyones mouth when i tell them. Anyway, i guess this long *** post wasn't completely necessary, but it gives you an idea of what you might come across when trying to get this done. You may want to try and stop by some body shops and see how much they want.

 

I tried two body shops yesterday...one with a good reputation, and one unknown. Same old story..."we can't do it because of the liability."

 

Are there any "speed shops" or custom fabrication shops in your area? They may be able to recommend a place. I asked my families mechanic and he said all he could recomend was a body shop.

 

Just a suggestion, for those that can't find a location to weld on their Spohn SFC's. Take a short vacation to Spohn Shop In Penna. if your close. I think he takes appointments and the cost is reasonable.

 

Try a frame and axle repair shop. THey are the only ones interested in doing it around my neck of the woods. Or go to the local Dragstrip and see which guys have there own shops. If any installed their own cage they would probably do yours for cash, especially if you show interest in their work.

Jason

 

I had mine welded on at Spohn's shop in PA. Last I heard though, they're not doing installs for a bit while they catch up on part orders. www.spohn.net

 

I'll go hang out at the track...that's a good idea. I litereally went down the yellow pages & haven't found a soul that would weld them up for me.

We have two speed shops...both seem clueless. One of them recommended the first of the exhaust shops I asked... they are 'scared of them.'

Thanks for all the replies. Evidentally somebody with welded SFCs wrecked & sued the guy that did it around here? Heck...I'll sign a waiver. I'd do it myself, but like I said...I don't want this to be my first experiment.

Thanks!!

 

Also check out the F-body mailing lists. There's generally somebody along there in your area that does/has done it.

It is not impossible.

It may be as simple as looking outside the box. All you need is an experienced welder and a way to get the car dead level with some room for him/her to work.

Jason

 

Owch! I found one guy at a frame shop 20 miles from here willing to touch it. $250 -$300 for the install/welding. That's more than I paid for the SFCs! That is a rip-off, isn't it?

 

Should be a $100 install, maybe $150. 4 hours tops.

 

I don't know about other areas but around here you'll be hard pressed to find a shop that has less then a $50 an hour rate. The majority of shops are $68. So i guess my $200 estimate wasn't too bad.

 

i dont know if anybody said this, but...part of the labor theyre thinking is pulling back the carpet, which involves removing the seats and other stuff. let them know youve done that already and they might take it easy price wise. i know a tire place by me that a friend had put some on his '97 ss for $90

 

I did my own SFC installs, BTW. You won't have to pull up carpet or anything when installing Alstons but you should when installing Spohns. I take a lot of care when doing them and they've taken me about 4 hours to do but the car isn't on a lift, just on ramps and jackstands.

Too bad you aren't closer or I'd do them...


Ed