I have a 1989 T/A GTA with edlebrock short style headers & Y-pipe with duel cats. With a mulitude of go fast parts added. it has become obvious I am in need of a good set of subframe connectors. My question is what connectors would be best that won't interfere with the headers and duel cats.?

Also I looking at getting a strut tower brace for it as well. It has an Edlebrock TPI intake and runners (350 engine). I bought this GTA recently and am unsure as to if the aftermarket intake system sits any higher/wider then stock. If it does, will it interfere with a strut tower brace?

 

Years ago, i bought bolt-on subframe connectors from Jegs, i bolted them on, then welded. i think they were HOTCHKIS. I also have a HOTCHKIS strut tower brace. both went on good. just a small problem with the air pump tube brace mounted on the exhaust before the cats. looks like a little metal block with tubes going through it.

 

UMI and leave out the small 3rd bar

 

Thank you for your advice

 

Due to the low hood line & the bottom bracing of a GTA hood, the hood WILL need "massaging" to fit a UMI STB.

My GTA was the guinea pig for the UMI STB & while I did get it to fit, you will HAVE to mod the inner hood bracing, to get the hood to fully close. It'll close & latch, but will be up just over 1/8", to the sides won't be flush with the fenders. After some hammering of the inner hood bracing, the hood will fully close.

Nothing major, but an issue to be aware of on the UMI STB.

 

Exactly how mine is. I could not fit the small bar with out cutting my exhaust off. It would not slide in above the pipe. I have single 3" no cat. I may install the 3rd bar later if I change my exhaust to dual 2.5" or single 4".

 

That is interesting. I used to have a 92 firebird with TBI and had an STB on it (cant remember what brand) with no clearance problems at all. Now, I know there is a differnt design STB for the TPI engines. Do all the brands have clearance problems with the TPI engines? Or is it just the UMI brand that does that? Also I have not seen anything on weather the Edelbrock intake and runners are any differnt in size from stock and so may make a differance in fitting a STB in my GTA.

As for the SFC it looks like getting a 3-pc and leaving the 3rd pc off is the way to go without modifying the exhaust. This works for me as as it should still add alot of strength to it's subframe.

I really appreciate all the replys I am getting on this and I think you guys and Gals are all great. There is so much info available here and such cool people posting to it. Thank you. =D

 

The problem is with a GTA hood, not the UMI STB. The hood bracing on a GTA hood is a little different than the other Firebird hoods.

 

Oh ok. I understand now, it all makes sense. There are holes in the strut towers and at the center of the lip above the firewall where I assume someone installed or "tried to install one before. I am quessing that is why they removed it. At least now I know how to get one to fit. To bad they didnt keep it and give it to me when I bought the GTA. Thanks again.

 

It was probably an Edelbrock 3-point STB. I had one & the hood would close, but lifted up higher than this UMI one before I "massaged" the hood, so I have those same 6 holes. Someday, I'm gonna weld them shut & they'll "disappear".

 

I have the BMR STB and it fits a GTA hood fine without any clearance issues. I have aftermarket intake and runners, so there is no issues in that area. Not to mention I love the way it looks.

As far as SFCs, I have Global West connectors and they do not interfere with the duel cats on my car.

 

Without the third bar on the UMI sfc I noticed a huge difference over not having sfc's. Way less squeeks and rattles, better and stiffer ride quality. Alot better launches also.