The first modification I'm shooting for on my 91 GTA is probabably going to be subframe connectors. My car squeaks just a little bit, so I'd like to tighten up my frame before I get any cracking. The only 2 manufacturers/distributors I found were Spohn and TDS. Which product is better?

Thanks for the help,
Bill

P.S. while I'm add it, any other nifty suspension/frame mods I can do? I was thinking of the TDS or Spohn wonderbar as well. (Who's got the better prodcut?)

 

I have both the Alstons from TDS and the Spohns and I prefer Spohn, they're longer and will give more backbone to the car. INstall was not too bad either.

Ed

 

Thanks for the fast response Ed. Another quick question... Can anyone reccomend a good shop in NJ to install the kit for me? I'd also like my frame realigned to compensate for any sagging that has taken place.

Bill

 

p.s. Is it worth it to pay the extra $45 for paint, or should I pay a body shop to paint the subframe connectors?

 

Ed, can you install BOTH Alstons, and a "perimeter" style like Spohns (they are that style aren't they?) or Kenny Brown togeather? Or is there clearence problems? I was thinking of the MOST possible stiffening. Why not install both styles?

 

Weight.

Might not matter on a street car, but with both of those SFCs combined, you're probably looking at 50-60lbs of added weight.

In a race situation, it makes more sense to add a cage then two sets of SFCs.

 

Cute idea, but the tubular current design spohns and the alstons together will add about as much weight as the silly boxed connectors most around here are cheaping out on. Same weight, better functionality with both sets of tubulars. I know which i'd rather have....

 

http://www.globalwestsuspension.com/...OVMTC=standard

JamesC

 

On my T-top 88 I too wanted to maximize strength not caring about weight as it is strictly for the street. So I used both the Alston & Steve's SFC's and then tied the passenger side together behind the cat and am very satified with the result, very few squeaks now. I have the GM wonder bar and a STC which helps also. I think T-top cars need all the help we can give them. Dave

 

What is an STC?

If adding 2 sets of SFC's is the best for my car, than I'll do it. But, is it really worth it? I would like to race my car, so I dont want to add a TON of weight. (I have a hardtop btw) But, if adding 2 sets of SFCs will drastically improve the rigity of my car (as opposed to only one set), then I'll do it.

Any comments?

Also, does everyone agree that spohn's SFCs are better than Alston's (TDS's) SFCs?

JamesC, thanks for the link. What does everyone think of global west's SFCs?

http://www.globalwestsuspension.com/...OVMTC=standard

 

I do not have both on the same car although Spohn and Alston will fit and can be installed together. I have the Spohns on one car and Alston on the other. Both are good but Spohn are longer and attach in more places and therefore make the one car stiffer than the other.

Ed

 

I agree with Ed, Spohn's sfc are better. I should have posted that I installed Alston sfc's first, then added the sfc from Spohn and could tell the difference. I believe that the longer pieces from Spohn will do better, However everyone may have different experiences than I have. Both sets are probably overkill.

 

Redbird, you had both sets of SFCs on the same car?

 

I,m curious too what is this "STC"

 

anyone have pics of Spohns SFC installed?

 

Wgripp, Yes , I have both sets on the same car. I installed the Alston sfc first and still wanted less twisting so went with Spohn's connectors which I believe suit our cars better as Ed said they are longer and fit the along the outer rail and in my opinion providing better support. If I had to do it over, I would buy only Steve's connectors. But my car seems very good to me. W1964bgta, I too, am curious. What is this STC???? My bad. I meant STB. It is a sure sign of old age. Dave

 

I have some pics of mine here:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...=spohn+install

Ed

 

Yes, you can install both Spohn 'perimeter' and Alston SFC's on the same vehicle. It is an incredible improvement! I have both sets tied in together and wouldn't have did it any other way.

If you were only going to install one set, or could not/would not get a custom exhaust system then go for the Spohn SFC's.

 

I want to get exhaust for my car. Are you saying that the Spohn system will get in the way? Or will TDS's Alstons get in the way?

Bill

 

one thing to think about, spohn's t56 crossmeber/torque arm setup will not cleat the alstons without cutting a chunk off both sides of the crossmember. i just found this out trying to install mine. not a big deal, but for people who do not have access to plasma cutters and the sort, it might make them think twice about installing the alsons. they are both great produts, but do not have the bolt on compatabillity when used together.

thanks

 

For a wonder bar, definitely go with the TDS unit. Doesn't require any modifying, whereas the Spohn piece usually requires the fan shroud be cut up a little bit.

I have the Spohn SFCs in my garage, still need to be installed. There was only one other brand I'd consider because they also had a cage that tied in with their SFCs. Forgot the brand though

 

spohn

Used and loved on my car.

 

Redbird87 thanks for clearing that up for I thought I had found the holly grail of suspension parts LOL

 

got the t56 crossmember/tq arm setup installed tonight. i had to cut around 4 in length off the section that would occupy the same space as the alstons. the plasma cutter made quick work of it and now it fits like a glove.

thanks

 

How about these two? The Kenny Browns have some additional parts or something? They are more expensive too. Would it be wise to spend the extra money on the KBs?

 

The Spohn ones you posted are for the 4th gens.

Here are the ones that you want.

http://www.spohn.net/category.cfm?categoryid=1052

 

Oops Thanks man!

 

SPOHN.

I got a pair of these and they made a world of a difference!

 

I think KB's are the best SFCs on the market. They are boxed where it matters and tubular on the small braces going towards the transmission. The ends of the rails extend all the way back to the rear LCA mounts and secures there. I hear they are pretty light as well. If it were my car, I would spend the extra money.

Oh, and you can find the KBs for cheaper than $279 if you look hard enough.

 

I'll have to look somewhere else anyway. The guys at Thunder Racing charge $500 for s&h for my order so I'll go somewhere else where I would get charged under $200 for the same order.

 

so if i'm looking at getting a Eibach pro-kit springs set and putting that on, should i also look into a set of Spohn sfc's? how much change am i going to feel on the road with both installed?

 

Yeah.. I agree I have them and have not once saw any others that I would rather have.

 

I'd have to say that regardless of what you are doing to your car, you should definitely look into a set of SFCs. As long as you have a set, that is all that is important. I haven't seen any SFCs that are just flat out horrible and will not do the job. If you do the pro-kit and SFCs at the same time I suspect you will enjoy the ride quite a bit more. The whole car will feel much tighter and more nimble.