I mean are they good in tying the frame together I am planning a 300 hp build up do I even need em??

 

SFC's should have been the very first thing you did to your car.

IMO, get the Alstons, as they are by far the best. Do a search for Alston's, and you will find some pics that I posted of mine. Made a day and night difference in my car.

 

In my opinion if you just want to quiet the cars natural noises then yes.

They are fairly cheap. If you plan on making alot of horsepower in your car you need the extra rigidity for the frame.

I think they are kind of a pain in the aZZ to install. But worth it. I plan on getting a set very soon.

 

Lets see, if you have to ask if SFC's are worth it?? The answer is your case would be NO. Reason if you want a tighter & more rigid
car YES. Also 300Hp is not that much to worry about twisting the body.

 

do that without subframe connectors

 

The picture proves nothing, you can do that without subframe connectors. Yes they are worth it, even in a v6 car.

 

i think in that pic, the person said they could open and close the door fine if i am not mistaken that was said a while back or maybe it was another pic like that; i dont think i can do that yet.

spohn sfc's going in some time soon and then i may get the alstons also.

 

Your are right, you could take the same picture without SFC's, BUT after you remove the jack stand you would have some damage under your car...

the SFC's give you some more optiosn for jacking up the car.

When I started to put any kind of power in my T-top car the FIRST thing I did was SFC's, and YES it was worth it. I got SSM's and am reasonably happy with them, unfortunately they came unpainted, so I had them powdercoated Black...

edit: Noticing in your sig that you have T-tops, I would almost definately suggest getting SFC's...

John

 

Absolutely worth the time and expense. In my estimation, SFC's are not a mod but a necessity. Consider Global West's version.

JamesC

 

Can someone take a picture of where they are, exactly. so I could check if our 87 has them.. perhaps one of the other owners did it

that would rock if they did

 

Here's one.

JamesC

 

http://homepage.mac.com/glenyappa/PhotoAlbum7.html
try this link it will show you everything about sfc
and YES they are a must for 3rd gens

 

what type are betta....the MAC/alston type or the spohn\ global west type

 

i have the ssm ones on my car
i dont think it matters what type you get as long as they are weld on !

 

YES!!

 

If you do a search on the suspension board you will find many subjects on this.

But to answer your question I think they are an absolute necessity. I've seen plenty of cars (v-6's included) that have cracked at the top of the a-pillar, subframes would help to prevent this.

Also in reference to the picture above, I don't think I've ever had a f-body that could do that with out sfc's.

 

did most of you weld just the ends of the SFC's or did you go the whole length?

John

 

Stitched them in every foot or so.

JamesC

 

what brand?

 

I do that with my SSM's.. not sure what brand that is. I know its nice cause it gives me alot of jacking points IF I were to need it.

John

 

Ohh.... I totaly forgot about SFC's when I was calculating my restoration price... argh, More money down the drain.

Yes, you want them, it wont kill your car or anything if you dont, but just for an overall nice ride they are a necassity(sp?)

BTW, thanks for reminding me.

 

That is looking to be my next thing to buy for my car. My car has t-tops and I am very familliar with the noises that everyone speaks of. I was looking to buy the TDS (Top Down Solutions) ones. As far as I read any SFC is better then done? Or should I spend my money for another company?

 

Yes....got my Hotchkis ones in today and I can't believe the difference. This is definitely without a doubt a must for these cars.

 

You got anymore pics of the Hotchkis installed? Yours is the first to be posted anywhere.

post some more..

thanks

 

I don't have any full length shots, but I'll give you what I've got.

 

Another...I don't have a pic of them before they were installed unfortunately. I can't believe the difference though. They fit perfectly. I got them today and installed them right away. Actually, I took it to a local place where a guy named John worked on it who is a fantastic welder. For anyone needing welding in the Chicago area....hes the guy.

 

did he pull up your carpeting and all that such on the interior? Somewhere I read that you have to do that when you weld them. Or is that just like a good measure thing when in reality you really don't have to...?

 

I'd say you need to lift up the carpet when welding them, why chance getting your carpet caught on fire. You could probably get away with not pulling up the carpet, but I'm sure you could get them welded faster if you don't have to worry about catching your carpet on fire. Why risk it??

 

I got the same SFC's.
I just havent had them installed yet. I wanted to see how you had yours done. werent you suppose to weld along the rocker panel too? It looks like your drivers side is not all the way up against it..
Man! I want get mine installed.

 

The guy that did mine asked me what I wanted done. He said he usually throws water on the carpet or can pull it up. Since I don't care about the carpet at all(getting replaced next spring), the water was fine for me. He also pulled the lower part of the passenger side wheel well to make sure the weld went well. He even commented on the fit being excellent from the Hotchkis SFCs. No it isn't touching up there. I got these for a steal and after installing them would have paid full retail for the difference.

 

Trans Am#5
What type of headers and exhaust are you running? Were there any clearance issues with the exhaust at all?
Thanks, Tony

 

I FORGOT HE HEADER ISSUE!!!

When I did my SFC's I also was installing SLP headers & Cat-Back (a different topic) BUT I did have a bit of a problem on the passenger side with the SFC. The header would tap the SFC when I would start the engine, (ok it was more of a light BANG!) To fix it, I heated up the header pipeand I moved it about an inch to make for clearance.

On a side note I WOULD recommend the SLP Headers.

John

 

Okfoz - are you referring to the Sophn subframes that you had a clearance problem with?

 

no, ssm

John

 

Since I have an Lt1, I have Hooker 3rd gen headers with A.I.R. Also, a Catco convertor with Flowmaster American Thunder 3" exhaust. The same shop, but different guy, made a custom Y-pipe for me because when I bought the headers(used), I didn't get one. I was there when he put that side on and I don't remember any issues with him having to bend anything out of the way for the SFC clearance. Overall, it is tight but does fit well. I would imagine this wouldn't be true for everyone since every exhaust setup, even duplicated ones, are always a little different.

 

Trans Am#5,
Did you use standard 350 headers, or LT1 headers???

I have considered upgrading my LG4-TPI to an LT1 BUT I really do not want to buy new headers...

John

 

Third gen headers are the only ones that will work with an Lt1 swap. Stock manifolds from an f-body will work also if you don't want to buy new ones. You'll love the swap afterwards. The other guys that have done it before me have said it....it's a whole different animal with an Lt1 and the t56 doesn't hurt either.

 

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THANKS... Iam getting a bonus from work today... WOO HOO...

John

 

Is there more of an issue if you have dual cat's???

 

okfoz....I just reread my reply above and what I meant to say is stock Lt1 4th gen manifolds will work also if I'm not mistaken. Since I used a Vette Lt1, the stock manifolds wouldn't have worked at all from that motor. Snap a pic of your SFC's if you can.

 

Were straying off topic, kind of..

I just want to know if my L98 SLP Headers would bolt up to and fit properly with an LT1

thanks

As for the pic, When I change my Torque convertor, I will snap some pix (in a few weeks)


John

 

Hi, I want to get the Spohn SFCs for my single cat. converter IROC-Z. It has t-tops. Now my main concern is with the cat. converter. Is there going to be a clearance issue? I was under the car looking around and it didn't look like there was any room. I heared the spohns are known for their great fit, but it doesn't look like there is any room. Thanks. -89IRO

 

I had to move my exhaust a little, no biggie a little heat with a torch and then pry it over...

John

 

It's almost a sure thing that you will at least melt the carpet & the wiring that's there. I removed the seat belts, seats, scuff plates & pulled back the carpeting & wiring. I even had a buddy watch for smoke & flames. Just did mine on Saturday. BTW mine were Competition Engineering bolt in, obviously welded in now with cross bars & extra reinforcemnt plates added.

 

Definately LIFT the carpet, get some fire extinguishers take EVERY precaution you can imagine...

John

 

yo' u got a pm bud i need some installed

 

I want to install mine i need to move my exhaust. I have edelbrock headers should i heat them up and do it or what??

 

I think someone wanted pix of my SSM's

Right Side

 

And the left side:

Keep in mind I had to powder coat (paint) them myself...

John

 

hmm it almost looks like ur exhaust is touching about as much interference as i have. Did u just lower the y pipe a lil i think if i did that though it would be 2 low.ur pass side sfc looks like it goes up closer to the floor than mine.