I'm looking to order subframe connectors and was going to go with spohn but i've heard about fitment problems with them. I just want best fitting ones as i believe most do the same job.

 

i run the jegster bolt on subframes that I welded in and have really nice ground clearance. The bolt in ones fit better than the weld in ones and have larger brackets to be welded to the floor.

 

I would advise against the Spohn ones and suggest BMR. I have Spohn's on my car, and I used to have another car with the BMRs. The BMR design was FAR superior to the Spohn design. I wish I could take my Spohn's off and install BMRs.

 

This questions gets asked all the time. And everytime the thread seems to go downhill. People start argueing back and forth about why one brand is better than another brand. Best thing to do, read some of those threads and decide for yourself, which ones are the best for YOU.

I have the Bolt-on Alston racing SFCs that are welded on. Only reason I got them, I traded some parts, basicly got them for free. If it wasn't for that, I would have bought the UMI SFCs.

 

Just welded my UMI's in a couple weeks ago. Easy install.

 

I like to know which would be the BEST for factory dual cat exh.


someone with dual cat and sub frame connectors please chine in

 

I had Spohn's tubular SFC's on mine and had absolutely NO fitment problems at all. Matter of fact they tucked up under there so nicely you could not even see them unless you knew what you were looking for. I question the two bad comments about them from posts above.

Also, the Spohn's are so ridgid that my car will teeter tooter on a curb. I would love to see any crappy bolt-on SFC's do this:

 

My car does the same, but my "bolt on" SFCs are actually welded on.

 

Hello,
I just figured I would put this out there for you! We offer a boxed weld in SFC for your vehicle. I will post a link below to show you what I am explaining. If you have any other questions feel free to ask and I will be glad to help.

http://www.umiperformance.com/produc...ategory_id=113

Thanks
Brad

 

Hey Brad, I was under the impression that UMI SFCs don't fit/work on the dual cat cars?

 

Hello,
Sorry guys completely missed post about dual cats I forgot to even quote first post . .....yeahs ours might have a problem with 88-92s with dual cats.
Thanks
Brad

 

Spohn's....two thumbs up!!
Installed easy, with no fitment problems.

 

I just put a set of competition engineering sfc's on my 87.The are a bolt on set that i bolted and welded.They bolt in with the rear lower arms and follw the rocker pinch weld all the way to the front bolting through the floor.Then at the front has a very heavy duty triangular brace that bolts into the side and bottom of front subframe.I am very pleased with these and they made a very noticable difference in cornering and launching.The only downfall to this set is that you can't run a factory style y pipe set up,luckily im running long tube headers so i have no clearence issues.I give these a 10 out of 10.

 

Thanks for the kind words, we have been making them since 97' and have never had any complaints

 

SPOHN all the way great products look nice and very strong....

 

I have run the Global West tubular connectors since 1997, back when there were only 2 or 3 choices. They fit well and can be welded all the way from front to back making the car extra rigid. It took out all the rattles and clunks instantly - noticed a slight increase in handling and straight line traction immediately.

 

I wanted to add food for thought to SFC purchases also in another main point. These cars are a pain in the butt to jack up off the ground. Look at most and you will see mangled unibody subframes where people have tried to support them sith jacks and jackstands.

Perimeter or outer rail style SFC's like Spohn, UMI, BMR, and a few others all allow a better place to jack the car from. However- the square tube SFC's are not as safe . The round tube SFC's really double nicely as jacking positions and you can support the entire weight of the Vehicle on the SFC's...at least I do with my Spohn round tube units and the doors will open perfectly off the ground.

The jack or stands will not slip off the round tubing.

 

good point about the jacking.
however i was under the opinion that the square tubes were much more rigid in the types of stress and bending that they will see on a normal car.

my jack has a urethane pad that is contoured for that specific reason.
i plan on getting square tubes when i get my sfc's.

 

I have Spohn's on my car. The fitment was great, clearance is awesome, and made a difference on my car @ 17x,xxx miles. Wish I'd gotten powdercoated ones, though. Surface rust is unattractive. Going to get under there and repaint them when I get done painting my ZR1s.

 

I put UMIs on mine. No complaints other than your y-pipe will be about .5 inch lower than it normally is. The seperate crossover piece hits otherwise. But everything else was a snap and there are PLENTY of weld points!

 

We have several members locally with dual cat and Alston bolt-on style WELDED to their cars. No fittment problem. I just installed them on my Firebird which is currently getting converted to dual cat.

Lon Salgren

 

I didnt see anyones thoughts on top/down solutions sub conn ??? - I have them and are great

 

Those are the Alstons that have been mentioned a few times already

 

Make your own if you have the resources.

 

Brad, one thing I noticed in your ad about the fitment of sfcs. I really dont think the connectors will fit a 91-92 Trans Am Convertible. Your ad states that it will fit convertibles. I have Alistons on my 92 TA convertible. They do a good job. However, I had an 84 Camaro TTop and installed bolt in Competition SFCS and they were great. The only mod I did to them was that the right hand side was changed by me to a flat steel plate going from the sill to the center. This allowed the exhaust to go under it and loose no ground clearance. I found them to be top notch and if you wanted to, you can weld them in. I now am going to add some other type of connector that will go down the sill and attach to the Alistons that I already have. Get it as least flexible as possible is my thoughts. Any other convertible owners have two sets of connectors on there cars?

 

Good information guys! My only question is where do i go or who do i see about installation?

 

Jay,

If I remember correctly BMR released there 3rd generation SFC's about 2 years ago or less? http://www.bmrfabrication.com/Press%...ssReleases.htm

Ryan

 

Please, let me know if UMI fit next to the boxed in section mounted next to the rocker panels. I think maybe 91-92 Trans ams may be different from other years. Or, I think maybe they changed around late 80s. Any help?

 

The SFC's will fit all 82-92 models including the convertible. The only issue we have is the dual cats get in the way on the passenger side. We make our passenger side in (2) pieces too allow additional clearance and movement for this but it is still a tight fit.

Hope that helps!
Ryan