Well I've checked the junk yards and can't find a wonder bar. So I'm thinking about buying the global west version. I already have a strut tower brace. Would having both be overkill or can I still benefit from buying a steering brace?

 

Having both the steering brace and strut tower brace wouldn't be overkill at all.

Have you tried getting the wonder bar thru GM? Someone on the board should have the part number. The Global West brace is a little pricey.

 

BretD 88GTA is right! Try to get the GM one. Do a search and find the part#. I have the GM one on both of my 3rdgen cars. it works just fine. Of coure it's not as fancy. But it works.

 

The bar from GM is a POS, the GW ones is a lot beefier and can stiffen the steering box many times better. Its only $40 or so for the GW part.

The pic below shows the brace in the middle.

 

IMHO the GM brace is not a POS, just not as pretty as the GW.
+ When you could get the brace from GM it was only 20 bucks.

Left Turn1LE - have you checked with the supporters found at the top of the page here at thirdgen?

I've bought parts from several of them and the prices are reasonable. Since they specialize, you may stand a better chance of finding one.

 

I appreciate all the info. I have done a search and found the part# and also found it is a discontinued part. There is one on ebay, but its going for $46(same price as GW). I keep hoping to see one in a junk yard I can pickup for $5, but f-bodies get stripped pretty fast around here.

 

Considering what it's doing (not really a whole lot, in terms of force) and where it is (on the nose of the car) I believe I'd shoot for the least amount of metal that will do the job.

I have the GM one on my car, cost about $26 or so, seems to work fairly well. Of course, I have a fairly low mileage chassis, at no more than 320,000 miles; the "Wonder Bar" went on ant about 275,000. It made a noticeable difference to the feel of the car, especially going around bumpy corners.

 

I can honestly say that of all the parts I have added or changed on my cars in the past 5 years, the Wonderbar had the greatest noticable impact on the car. After that the next would be the change fromt he Lg4 aircleaner to an L69 aircleaner. For the minimal investment and easy installation and positive benefits, its a must have piece for any serious thirdgen. I put it about 12 steps above subframe connectors which in my opinion didn't do jack and cost almost $200 including welding.

 

I was very happy with the GW bar I got. I doubt there is very big weight difference between the GW and the GM bar.

 

I have the GW bar. It took a little force to install mine, but it made a HUGE difference in the steering feel both at speed and especially in the parling lot. The steering does not make that "grrrrr..rrr.rr" sound and the tires don't hop any more. I also installed a Hotchkis STB and that make even more difference.

I will have SFC's installed before the car comes out in the Spring. That should tighten up the care completely!

 

You have front wheel wheel hop? Thats a new one to me. If the steering brace makes a huge diffrence in your car then you must have a very loose front end. I put one on my car a few months after rebuilding the front end, and the diffrence was slight but not amazing the way some people say. if the wonder bar did more then the sfc, I think there is a problem. Not to be a smart ***, it just doesnt sound right.

 

What cars did the steering brace come on? Should my '91 Z28 have one stock? Where do I look to see if I have it?

 

Can anyone tell me where to get the global west one? I'm trying to look for one of these and I can't find it anywhere. How much do they run?

 

Thunder Racing has them.

 

I bought mine directly from GW. I think it was $45.00 shipped.

 

OK, what about the other questions? No point in me buying one if the car already has one. Where do I look to see if there is one on there already and what does the factory piece look like? Again, this is on a '91 Camaro Z28.

 

HEY GUYS!!!!! I just ordered a GM Wonderbar from a place called House of Camaros.

It is only $20.

Here's the link: http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/g.../houseofcamaro

yeah it's used, but there is no difference. The place is a THIRDGEN only parts place. I would call it a junk yard, but they try to clean the parts up before resale. They do both the firebirds and camaros.

So, ha ha to you that had to pay $45.

HE just said that they go quick and he only has 3 left.

Also, wonderbars camae on IROCs only. I don't know if they put them on in 91-92. If you want to see what the stock one looks like and all, check out the tech article on them at sethirdgen.org http://www.sethirdgen.org/wbar.htm

Later,
Jesse

 

Eric - look at the mounting of the front sway bar. It would be inbetween the bushing bracket and the frame, running from one side to the other.

Try some of the 'supporters' from here, as well. There's Hawk and 3rd Gen Resource with banners at the top of the page.