I'm 99.99% sure I'm getting my GTA tomorrow and the first couple things I want to do to the car is:

1) Run it at the track asap in it's current condtion.
2) Major tune-up: this way it feels like I spent money on something, i.e..1/4 improvements from porrly tuned 1st track times. Get it?

3) Then run it at the track again
4) Add LCA's, SFC's, and a wonderbar.

BUT....
Will I be dissapointed if I add all those traction mods at the same time and only see minimal gains for the $400 or so dollars. So should I do SFC's 1st, then track or vice versa with LCA's?

Should I get the wonderbar just yet?

Just let me know if you have time to reply.

-Kevin

 

It all comes down to two things: car use and how much money you want to dish out. Of course, if you have the money, get all three; they're all excellent, and IMO necessary, upgrades on a thirdgen f-body. I would do all of these mods after the first run.

If you want to run the car down the quarter, the wonderbar is useless. It is, however, an excellent piece for street driving. Buy it last if you want to take it in steps. As for the LCAs and SFCs, I would personally do the SFCs first. If you don't have access to a welder or a shop (or the cash), then get the LCAs first. So here's the short version:

Best case: get all three, do it at once.
If you have the money and resources: SFCs first, LCAs, then wonderbar.
Last choice: LCAs, SFCs, then wonderbar.

Keep something in mind here: these aren't "performance upgrades" in the sense that they will make your car faster or anything. In fact, they will probably slow you down (with the exception of better traction from the LCA upgrade). The SFCs and wonderbar are frame reinforcement (aka preventative maintenance). However, a strong frame is what you want to build upon, so it is definitely the first place to start. Good luck!

 

cayse pretty much got it... the wonderbar won't net you any gains. you probably won't see any gains from the sub frame connectors, they seem to help most in chassis twisting situations (maybe hard cornering and such). however, in theory the lca's will reduce wheel hop which will contribute to a lower 1/4 mile time, or atleast a better launch. just my

 

SFC's will also help keep the car going straight off the line instead of fishtailing. LCA's are a big upgade over stockers. My 91 ttop car with auto would shake so violent with stock LCA's I thought the doors were gonna pop off.

 

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Best thing you can do if you are planning to be jumping all over the car with a stock suspension is to put an adjustable aftermarket torque arm on there first- Its going to help you keep from breaking stuff. That stock rubber tranny mount for the torque arm is a terrible setup from the factory, especiaaly if already aged.

 

*** i hate that torque arm mount, what a pita to tighten after the trannys been put back in.

wonderbar is a great addition as are sfcs. but they are both preventatives, personally i'd get both those first. but thats just me