I'm making this post today to get an idea of what parts/modifications I will need to perform to my frame/chassis to give it added strength.

What I'm looking to do here basically is massively soup up my frame. The last thing I want is to get the 350 and new transmission combo into the car and then wind up torquing my frame to shreds on takeoff or warping it when whipping the rear end around a corner (This is not something routinely done just a little stunt I like to do every now and then to goof off).


So, since I know absolutely nothing about chassis upgrades, what modifications and parts am I going to be looking into? Also I'm thinking that reinforcing the rear end would be a wise decision also.

 

subframe connectors......... subframe connectors....... subframe connectors


plus strut towerbrace and wonderbar

 

Subframe conenctors are a must for all 3rd gens. After that, a wonder bar (steering brace) is also a good idea.

That will pretty much take car of strengthing the body, other than that, a cage is all thast left, and that not really needed unless your making rserious power and race the car.

 

A couple other things that can be added while your under the car would be a crossmember torque arm. lca's, lcarbs, panhard bar and sway bars. That should pretty much sum everything up except for what was listed in the above threads, oh yeah make sure that the subframe connectors are the first thing on your car!

 

As far as the subframe connectors go, I have no idea what brands or styles I should be looking for.

Let me just throw something at you guys and I'll leave it up to you for the advice:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Hotchkis/515/4001/10002/-1/749932|10775




Also for the strut tower bar:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/5226/10002/-1/743944|11177

That is a 3 point right?



Also, I have seen "some" cars that have rear strut braces. Is this a good idea or even a manufactured part for 3rd gen F-Bodies?

Thanks guys.

 

i would look towards spohn, or umi for subframe connectors, i feel that the stock wonderbar/steering brace works great, and you can usually get one for free at the junkyard, if you buy the swaybar its attached 2.

our rear struts mount behind the backs of the rear seats, and the body itself is the brace between the two, no rear strut brace needed, i did install the edelbrock tbi strut tower brace up front, last week, it noticably stiffend the front up a little bit, plus it looks pretty sexy in the engine bay

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/82-92...spagenameZWDVW


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/83-92...spagenameZWDVW



Both by UMI.

El cheapo, or go for the gold?





EDIT: Just found these on SPOHN

http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...-Top-Cars.html


They're the same deal basically as the UMI except these are tubular. Which ones should I get? Same price...

The audiophile in me says go for the tubular. But the common sense expert in me says we aren't dealing with sub enclosures here and a box design would be more resistant to warping/flexing.

 

I prefer the UMI subframe connectors.

I also like the TDS (top down solutions) wonderbar better then the UMI piece.

 

Yes............Yes..............Yes! Probably the best dollar spent on a 3g. If it's an IROC and possably most Z's, it should have da vunderba. Just check for a big rod passing just above the front sway bar- tieing the front of the frame snouts together.

All the companies above make good products but if your doing the welding yourself (yes, they must be welded IMO) you may as well make them yourself. Total cost for me was about $30.

The next on my list was boxing in the lower rear control arms and lower control arm relocation brackets. Again, you can buy or make these. I have plans for the LCRB's I would send you if desired. I may also be able to get some shots of the sub-frame connectors and a cut list. They MUST be welded in place.

The above chassis/suspension mods are all I have done and my car dead hooks at the track and ran a 7.98 @ 93 in the 1/8 mi.

Now if I can just figure a way to snake around my HSR I'll do the tower brace.

 

Is the edelbrock a good strut brace to go with?

 

Ya, that STB is beefy, and it's 3 point.