Ive been working on my car religiously this month and have done alot of work on it . Already got wonder bar and 36mm sway bar that all came factory. I really want UMIs STB. only problem is that ive heard they dont do any good if something is loose in the strut mount itself. sorry dont know exactly what its called but its the piece that you adjust for camber adjustments, and its got the black dust cap on it if its stock. What could be loose and how can i tell if it is? I also think the guy said its rubber and if you replace it with prothane your good to go. Thanks for any replys i just want everything on the front end of the car to be in tip top shape. Im sure i confused you all with my ramblings .

 

Trust me, I've read (and sometimes wrote) much more confusing posts. What your talking about goes by a few names... I think strut mount is one of the more popular names. If you unbolt the strut from it and unbolt it from the car, you will see a little metal ring surrounded by rubber. Some times that rubber corrodes/disintegrates leaving the steering very sloppy. Many people upgrade to either the Hotpart strut mounts or the Spohn pieces because they are simply much better then stock units and they don't cost much more... I think they are like $50 more for the pair.

Hotpart:
http://www.hotpart.com/index.php?p=s...6b76114b8e4c56
Spohn:
http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...ut-Mounts.html

 

As far as I know the rubber in the bearing plate/strut mount isn't replaceable. Check my Car Details for suspension mods, which include the Spohn piece. In passing, I'd suggest SFC's before the STB (and I have both).

JamesC

 

So if i jack my front end up, and try to move the strut in its mount it should be tight. I hope it is!! But if it isnt those J&Ms look good. And James, I have been doing some reading on SFCs and UMIs got a good price and excellant quality. Ill put the items id like to get and the prices here
SFCs $194. http://www.umiperformance.com/2400?category_id=113
STb $161. http://www.umiperformance.com/2008?category_id=167
Spohn 36mm Greaseable Sway bar mounts $44
End Link Set $14
"Maybe" Strut Mounts J&M $217

I would get almost all of it from BYUNSPEED.com because of lower prices and free shipping . Add it all up it comes to $630, if my mounts are good $413. Not to bad of a price for a good front end. Let me know what you guys think i should add or delete to my list and your opinions on these products would be great.

 

Most people say it is better to replace your strut mounts when re-doing your front end so you can squeeze all the performance from the components you are replacing, but it is all up to you, I would do it if I was you and if I had the money of course.

 

Im going to get the STB, endlinks and bushings. On the UMI SFCs do i have to weld to the floor pan? In old threads on here there are two answers, yes and no! lol. on UMIs webpage it looks like there not welded to the floor pans and are welded only up front and bolted to the lcas? lots of you have these and any info would be great.

 

In order to attach the UMI SFC to the floor board, you have to put extra material in the gap that is there. If you buy Spohn's tubular SFC, they go right up alongside the pinch weld on the edge of the car so no extra material is needed.

My next upgrades:
- Koni Yellows
- Eibach Pro-kit
- J&M strut mounts
- UMI/Edlebrock STB
= roughly $1,230.00

 

Global West, who was making SFC's long before current manufacturers, is a good choice (no extra material and no loss of ride height). Their steering box brace is also first rate.

JamesC

 

Would i HAVE to weld the UMIs to the floor board? If i dont that would save me alot of time cause i wouldnt have to remove my interior. also do the UMIs only bolt onto the LCA brackets? thanks for the replys racing geek and james c.

 

I have no experience with the UMI's, but board wisdom, which I believe is correct, maintains that welding is the best avenue. While I didn't remove my interior, I did raise the carpet a bit along the sides of the car. No problems for me personally.

JamesC

 

Ok i know that you should always get the weld in SFCs but do you have to weld to the floor board? i know they weld in up front its just that on UMIs site it shows them not welded to the floorboard. Think they would be as strong not welded to the floorboard? Again i know to get the weld ins not the bolt ons lol.
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What im trying to say is that in order to weld to the floor board i have to put in iron spacers and i really dont know if that is necessary