If the frame was weakened, this basically patched it up to feel like it should feel like in stock form. It doesn't improve the car's handling in any way from stock but it prevents the frame from weakening/cracking. If the frame is weakened/cracked, then installing this bar will make the car feel like it is handling tighter or better, when in fact it is just making the steering feel like it should in stock form. It is not always cognitive bias here I am sure people have brought their cars steering back to where it should be by installing these.

Personally, I felt no difference when installing the TDS one over the stock one. I got the frame inspected and found no cracks as well. But the TDS one was new, shiny, and has an extra bolt to the frame so for 50$ to me that was worth the extra piece of mind.

 

Note in the following PDF of the front suspension that the brace is actually called a Wonderbar (in red lettering, no less). #49 in the description/part number section is called a Brace, Upr Structure.

JamesC

 

Hmmm. As a side note, that diagram appears to show a PBR caliper going on a standard spindle.

 

Part #15 represents calipers in general. The various part numbers for them, 82-91, are listed in the second PDF that I've included above.

JamesC

 

If you wanna improve your steering respose install a 36mm front bar with poly mounts. and end links. Going from base model swaybars to WS6 bars would make me wanna install the wonderbar. Espacially if u run 245+size tires. If you have the base model front sway bar and tires smaller than 245 I doubt the wonderbar is nessesary. If you swap swaybars and bushings u willl feel a difference guarenteed! The wonder bar is just a brace. Swaybars affect ur turn in\steering response. I know from experience I swapped the base 30mm/19mm swaybars, to 36mm/24mm bars with poly bushings, and put in a oem wonderbar all at the same time.cost less than 200$ and the difference is night and day.

 

my tire size is P215, 65s

 

If your running 215 tires I would not worry about putting a wonderbar on. That money can be spent on a set of bigger sway bars and or poly bushings if youdo one or both mods you will definitley have a better handling camaro. As was stated before they came out with the wonderbar to strengthen the car due to the 245 width tires causing more stress on the chassis. If you swap to wider tires later on, I would look into getting a wonderbar. Just my opinion.

 

well sounds like what im doin to my 88, im running 19s on it

 

Arguing over this is ridiculous. Putting one on your car corrects a design flaw that is more obvious the more upgraded the car or experienced the driver. I think it is a great idea; I noticed a difference in my car; they are dirt cheap; just do it.

 

I assume since ur car has a 2.8 it has a small swaybar. A bigger front swaybar =proven handling upgrade, can be found in a local wrecking yard. (Z28 and trans ams) easily and for less money, than the cost of a wonderbar that may or may not improve handling depending on who u talk to.

 

slightly off topic (hope the op doesn't mind) - but why didn't they fit these things to Firebird GTA's -

I understand they were a little more luxurious but still had the ws6 setup with beefier sway bars than the camaro IROC's.

Also being a heavier car (all that crap inside) you'd think it'd put more pressure on the frame during aggressive driving (note - no suspension dynamics knowledge here)

what'd GM think - that people would drive the IROC harder? Then how about a TPI Trans Am with WS6 or a Formula- marketed as the 'no frills' performance Firebird - still no wonderbar...

I wonder if Firehawk's or TTAs came with the wonderbar?

 

Softer springs, bigger bars.

JamesC

 

What does a wonderbar do? It boxes the frame rails in FRONT of the steering box.

The Kmember for the most part boxes the frame rails BEHIND the steering box.

On a fatigued chassis the frame rails will flax outward apart from each other as the car turns right, and will close together as the car turns left. The wider more grip a car has, the more this will weaken over time through metal fatigue. The steering box will twist the frame and crack the rea under the box as it wants to rip itself away and against in the turning motions discribed above.
VERY IMPORTANT POINT- If factory engineers decided to add one of these to there performance package it is for very good reason because they realized in R&D that this area weas weak. MAYN MANY cars came with option braces on performance packages- take the 64 Chevelle bigblocks for instance, the engineers added rear mount supports to ONLY the bigblock cars and it has become the norm over the years to do this to all of the now 50 year old chassis'. All the Cheveeles without braces added will creak under the rear seat area.

Pablo, you already stated yours cracked, and you fixed it. Depending on how yuou fixed it and if, or if not you added additional bracing will show in good time whether your massive front tires are going to rip the steering box out of place again. I would highly recommend this wonderbar for you especially. It is not a "performance gain". it is a brace added for integrity to prevent metal fatigue in this area.

Dean

ps-(edit) I have also noted in past posts that my car did absolutely nothing in feel when I added the steering brace ...and I was glad of that because it showed my car had very little fatigue in this area..Why? I believe becasue my car was in very good rust free shape and was a 15" wheel factory car with no hard miles on it when I got it. Since I was converting the car into a much greater performance value, I hastingly added this brace to insure it keep good integrity in this area and it did. My car had exceptional grip and daily use with at least very hard use one day a week over the 10 years of use in the performance build. In othedr words, I drove the **** out of this car- so now I ask, " Why did not my steering box frame area ever crack with the grip and performance level I had much greater than factory stock cars that did break without this brace?...Because it works!

 

It's a great Idea. I got mine from TDS in 2003 for $49 and shipping. Just because it's a good Idea. I can't tell that it works or not, but it's $50 for prevention

 

wow lol, i forgot about this thread lol. well i still havent added a wonderbar but its first on my list here soon. i might add that i changed my tie rod ends and sleeves and my steering feels much more tighter and better. cant wait to see how this adds

 

My car already came with 245 tires and the 36/24 swaybars. I went with the TDS wonderbar before doing any of the other suspension mods. Simply because it was easy and cheap to do. Plus I figured it would help when driving up and down in the parkade at work (or "parking garage" as people here would say)

I prefer black over red for suspension pieces.



IROC, RS, GTA, Firebird, it doesn't matter what you drive. I recommend it to anybody. It's about as difficult to install as an air filter. It will never wear out. And has no downside. Plus it fits to perfection. At least the TDS version does.

 

i wonder how much power coating costs. im gonna buy a used one since its a stock peice and may have it power coated

 

That's the exact one i have! Works perfectly!

 

Got a used one from thirdgen ranch. Didn't notice any driving differences but it feels alot better turning especially full lock turns. Doesn't feel lik it's going to trip or fall over itself anymore