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Why doesn't the Spohn Wonderbar fit '82s?

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Old May 9, 2006 | 11:48 AM
  #1  
five7kid's Avatar
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From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Why doesn't the Spohn Wonderbar fit '82s?

Per their on-line catalog, their Wonderbar doesn't fit '82s.

"Note: Will not fit 1982 F-Body or 1989 Turbo Trans-Am"

Any idea why? It doesn't say on their site.
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Old May 9, 2006 | 11:55 AM
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82 has a different bolt pattern where it would bolt up. At least some do. Maybe you could drill either the bar or the car, I don't know.

The TTA, I'd expect there's some turbo part, exhaust or something, that goes through that place.
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Old May 9, 2006 | 12:10 PM
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From: Schererville , IN
Car: 91 GTA, 91 Formula, 89 TTA
Engine: all 225+ RWHP
Transmission: all OD
Axle/Gears: Always the good ones
dunno BOUT 82'S

On the TTA its the intercooler shroud that is in the way.

later
Jeremy
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Old May 9, 2006 | 12:31 PM
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From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
The following is from Lon's site: The brace has been re-designed and improved to fit all years of F-Body. Some early model year 1982 Camaro and Firebird had sway bar mounting brackets with a straight bolt pattern. This was changed mid-year to the offset bolt pattern that was used through 1992. Previously those of you with a 1982 F-body would either have to modify one of the mounting holes per side (which TDS never recommended) or be disappointed and return the product. This new version of the 105021 Steering Brace is the first and only one available that is designed to fit all years of the F-Body (Excluding the 89 TTA). Another important change is that the mounting pads now attach with three bolts per side, rather than the two all other versions of aftermarket Steering Brace use.

JamesC
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Old May 9, 2006 | 12:52 PM
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From: Western Maryland
Car: 82z28
Engine: 406
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Yes. look and see if the sway bar bracket bolts are offset, if they are you shouldnt have a problem. If they are straight then your only option is the TDS bar.

That being said...im familar with spohn parts and run a few of their products, but theyre no doubt in my mind the TDS bar is equal quality, actually theres no way i would by the spohn wonderbar over it.
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Old May 9, 2006 | 06:20 PM
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From: Norfolk, VA. USA
Car: 86 Trans Am, 88 Formula
Engine: 95LT4, 305TPI
Transmission: T56, T5
The GM one works on the 82 birds.
the TDS one also works but you can only use the 2 bolts on each side, not all 3 since there weren't any holes for the extra hole on each side on my friends 82.
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Old May 9, 2006 | 08:40 PM
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five7kid's Avatar
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From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Hmmm, interesting.

My swaybar mounts are straight in line with each other (on each side, which is what I assume you're talking about). When I swapped in the V8, I used the swaybar from the '86 SC donor car. I don't remember any mount differences, other than the size of the bars and the size of the hole in the bushing. But, it could be that I forgot that detail, and that I had to use the '82 bracket with the '86 bushing/bar.

After all, it's been almost 7 years since I did that, and the ol' brain cells have over half a century of mileage on them. . .

Thanks for the help. I did search, but didn't come up with anything other than the preference seems to be for the TDS part.
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Old May 10, 2006 | 05:06 AM
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From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
You might also consider the Global West version--which I purchased long before Spohn, TDS, or other manufacturers had the product (I like the SFC's as well).

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...g?d=1130104127

JamesC
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