My son and I have been working on restoring a 87 5.7 IROC T-top car for about a year now. It's his first car, and I'm trying to start him off right, with a real nice driving, and a solid performace car that he will appreciate. The car drives well but, it creaks, and flexes. We would like some advise and brand name part selection to help us select the subframe connectors (within reason $$) to stiffen up the car. Should we go bolt in's and weld or straight to the weld in types? Thanks for your comments!

 

I've had two pairs of Alston SFCs that TDS [Top Down Solutions, a sponsor] sells and they're nice because you can bolt them in until you can get them to a shop to have them welded in. Another plus is they provide a nice jacking point on the side of the car.

Definately weld the connectors in before too long, otherwise the metal around the bolt holes will elongate and you'll be back to your creaky, squeaky car.

 

I'd get perimeter SFCs instead of the Alstons. Look at Spohn's. Get an STB also.

I like weld-ins. You can get bolt-in if you like, just weld it in after you bolt it up. I think it's sturdier that way.

Before you weld it, make sure the SFCs are installed properly. I took it to a place to install mine, and they didn't get the passenger's side up all the way, so it hangs down a good amount and rattles against my cats since they now have to hang down too.

 

91Z28-350 sorry to have to ask but, what does the abbreviation mean?

Thanks for the help guys!

 

Strut Tower Brace.

 

Of course.

Thanks again.

 

You may want to get a steering brace too aka Wonderbar (TDS again).

Mark.

 

Is an aftermarket Wonderbar better than the original Z28 IROC steering brace that's already in the car?

Thanks!

 

They wouldn't call it a "Wonder Bar" if it wasn't.

 

I think the stock wonder bar is fine, as long as the area is braced. Save the 50 bucks and put it towards something else first.