So, understandably so, I'm eventually planning to do an engine/trans swap on my 91 'bird.

I've had some people tell me that you have to be careful when dropping a more powerful engine into a t-top f-body car, especially a 3rd gen, as too much torque can damage the car frame? But I've also been told some suspension/chassis work can solve this problem?

just need some elaboration on the matter is all! I'm not trying to build a drag racer out of it, just a 300-350 crank HP weekend/summer warrior.

 

SFCs are a good thing on Verts & T-top cars.....Even on hard top cars, they are a worthwhile investment.

 

Any other stuff I should look into? Or will a good set of SFC's suffice? What are good brands to look into?

 

once you delve intot eh suspension of this or any car, there are tons of other aftermarket upgrades you can do.

SFC's will do just fine at that power level. Check UMI performance, Spohn Performance, BMR fabrication, TDS (alston connectors), or global west.

 

A strut tower brace made a huge difference on my 4th gen. I bet it'd help on a 3rd gen too. (SFC's are by far the most important though)

 

Sweet. I will have to look into these before the major mods for sure. About how much should I expect to spend to have them installed? I'm not knowledgeable in the art of welding, I'm afraid :/

 

Hello
Even on a Convertible or a hardtop. A set of SFC's will make a tremendous amount of difference when it comes to making the chassis more solid. They will not only help with T top squeaks and leaks. They will also help keep the body damage off of the quarter panels. Below is a link to show you UMI Performance has to offer!

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...19b4euu69l0em4

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.
Thanks
Brad

 

You would have to ask a local place that welds, what they would cost to install the SFC's. Some SFC's say they can be bolted on, but even those SHOULD be welded. If you simply bolt them and go on, they will rip open the bolt holes eventually.

Definitly do the SFC's first. They are by far the best thing you can do to prevent twisting. As far as a strut tower brace (assuming you can find one that fits over your engine) those are bolt on parts, and can be installed yourself.

 

Alston Racing SFC. They are designed to fit the 1982-92 Camaro or Firebird (F-Body) coupes and 1987-92 Camaro or Firebird (F-Body) convertibles. These SFC's differ from the majority that are on the market in several ways. Most aftermarket SFC's are perimeter-mounted. This means they run along the pinch-rail just behind the side ground effects (if present). That design of SFC will not work for a convertible, since ASC (the company that did the factory authorized convertible conversions) riveted a formed sheet metal reinforcement piece in this location. That design of SFC also fails to tie into the front sub-frame that the engine cradle and transmission are hung from. Some manufacturers attempt to correct for this by providing additional tubing pieces that are to be welded from the SFC to the car's front sub-frame near the transmission cross-member. This does indeed tie in the front sub-frame, but it is a cantilevered point, which will be weaker than tying into the front sub-frame directly. You also have the additional weight of these pieces to contend with.


These SFCs are markedly different in several key areas. They hug the contour of the underside of the car and bolt or weld (your choice) in to the front and rear sub-frames. The front saddle of the SFC exactly fits the transmission sub-frame. The rear saddle of it ties in at the rear sub-frame where the LCA's (Lower Control Arms) mount. This provides a continuous solid support tying in the front and rear sub-frames of the car. The SFC's also provide a convenient jacking point when you need to lift your car.


$190 shipped
https://www.dougherbert.com/index.php