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  1. #1
    Chief of his tribe! LSCyaL8R's Avatar
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    Navy Blue Metallic
    2000 T/A Firehawk M6

    Sometimes all ya need....

    Is for someone to tell you they CAN'T do something just to get you in gear to do it yourself.

    I bought 3 point bolt in SFC's and figured i'd never get the car suspended properly to install them myself so I called a reputable performance minded mechanic who used to drag race firebirds. I asked if he had a roll on lift to install my SFC's and he said no. I asked if the speed shop near him had one and he said no. He claimed to never have had problems just holding the car by the chassis and installing SFC's but wasn't sure if the same would hold true on T-tops.

    That was all I needed to hear. I decided I wasn't going on a wild goose chase to install these things I'd just do it myself. i set up my ramps and used a level to see if the driveway was level for this job, it was. i jacked up the rear and set the chassis on jackstands. basically following the instructions included with the SFC's.... made sure the rear LCA's were level with the ground and the bolt up went smoothly from there. then i jacked the rear up till it was off the jackstands and set the axle on jackstands so the suspension was loaded. tightened it all up and mission accomplished.

    What I want to know is, if I could load the suspension and install the SFC's myself why couldn't a well established mechanic in a shop do the same... In the end I'm happier I did it myself though. Saved some money and got some great experience.

  2. #2
    Impwnded Smkn_TA's Avatar
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    Bright Red
    1999 Trans Am Ws6

    Better question is why did you bolt them on...weld ftw!!

  3. #3
    Impounded 86 IROC-Z's Avatar
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    Everything fiberglass
    2005 Amberlamps

    SFC are useless on F-bodys...

  4. #4
    ʢ ൧ ൨ ൩ ൪ ൫ ൬ ൭ ൮Ր Ց Ւ Փ Smittro's Avatar
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    2008 Hummer H3

    Question

    Quote Originally Posted by 86 IROC-Z View Post
    SFC are useless on F-bodys...
    Huh?
    :\Users\Steven\Pictures\d6ftg5nh.gif


    Suggestion: If you are particularly irritated by another member's posting habits and are constantly fighting the urge to flame them, you can click on that person's profile, and select "Add to ignore list." This will make that person's posts invisible to you.

  5. #5
    Blown, Stroked, & Sprayed

    Ed Blown Vert's Avatar
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    383 Procharged & N20 Vert

    Quote Originally Posted by 86 IROC-Z View Post
    SFC are useless on F-bodys...
    Black 1999 Blown Convertible A4
    Forged 383 | ATI D-1SC
    NX MAF Kit | 222/226 .585 115
    AS Stage II 6.0L FI Heads
    Moser 9" | 3.70 | Wavetrac | 35 Spline | Vigilante 3600
    548.0 RWHP - 563.8 RWTQ - 10# - D1

    666.0 RWHP - 734.2 RWTQ - 125 Shot - P1

    Black 2009 Escalade Hybrid 4WD



  6. #6
    Impounded 86 IROC-Z's Avatar
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    Everything fiberglass
    2005 Amberlamps

    Quote Originally Posted by Smittro View Post
    Huh?
    That magazine article, from like 18months - 2 years ago, some guys researched the frame structure of the subframe used on F-bodies and all sorts of tests showed that all the subframes on the market did not help the tensile strength or rigidity of the cars subframe. None of the makers bothered to change the design at all, thats why you'll find "cosmetic use" in fine print somewhere on the packaging for any recent subframes for these cars.

  7. #7
    Old Enough to Know Better Crimson Sin's Avatar
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    Red Fire
    2007 Mustang GT/CS

    Quote Originally Posted by 86 IROC-Z View Post
    SFC are useless on F-bodys...
    Dunno about that ...
    I did SFC's and a STB..Made a big difference in how my 01 SS felt going around corners..
    PERHAPS it was all in my head.. but I installed them at 48k miles..
    and when I got rid of it my SS had 136k.. Not a squeak in the car..
    and yup, it had T-Tops..

  8. #8
    Impounded 86 IROC-Z's Avatar
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    Everything fiberglass
    2005 Amberlamps

    Quote Originally Posted by Ed Blown Vert View Post
    If anyone should know it's you, I was pretty sure it was on one of the feed sticky's on this forum, but it might have been a different one.

  9. #9
    Blown, Stroked, & Sprayed

    Ed Blown Vert's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 86 IROC-Z View Post
    If anyone should know it's you, I was pretty sure it was on one of the feed sticky's on this forum, but it might have been a different one.
    You might be thinking a STB. SFC are a good mod.

  10. #10
    Impounded 86 IROC-Z's Avatar
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    Everything fiberglass
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ed Blown Vert View Post
    You might be thinking a STB. SFC are a good mod.
    I don't believe so. As a matter of fact, after the article was published, the strut tower braces were called into question as well, but from what little I remember from the follow-up, those are still effective.

  11. #11
    Consumer of kraut SiggyZ's Avatar
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    Light Pewter Metallic
    y2k 8-cylinder catfish

    That reminds me. I need to get mine installed soon. They've just been laying around in the garage.

  12. #12
    Chief of his tribe! LSCyaL8R's Avatar
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    Navy Blue Metallic
    2000 T/A Firehawk M6

    A very good mod indeed. I noticed the difference in quality right away. every time I get into my bird I say why can't it feel as "good" as my saturn. That SC2 with KYB GR2's has to have one of the best rides i've ever felt. and the STB made a BIG diff on that car. But the bird was a creaky mean muscle car ride. after the AGX's it still felt flexy and twisty. after the SFC's the car has that rigidity and solidness that I felt it was lacking. All it needs now is attention on the front end... tie rod ends and maybe a ball joint. I am so far very happy with the feel of the SFC's and all I can think off now is adding HP to offset the weight of these things, THEY ARE BEEFY!!!!

  13. #13
    Member
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    black
    02 vette vert

    Quote Originally Posted by 86 IROC-Z View Post
    That magazine article, from like 18months - 2 years ago, some guys researched the frame structure of the subframe used on F-bodies and all sorts of tests showed that all the subframes on the market did not help the tensile strength or rigidity of the cars subframe. None of the makers bothered to change the design at all, thats why you'll find "cosmetic use" in fine print somewhere on the packaging for any recent subframes for these cars.
    they dont help the tensile strength or rigidity of a cars subframe, they tie the front and rear subframes together solidly instead of the floorpan being part of the structural strength of the chassis. or maybe more correctly, relieve the floorpan from being the only tie for structural rigidity.
    Last edited by dklowrider; 08-15-2009 at 06:18 PM.

  14. #14
    Senior Member JaycenK's Avatar
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    1997 Camaro Z-28

    I have seen guys play on that same article twist thier cars at the drag strip when they build 500 or more rear wheel hp. I question them and no "They tested that and it is not true" They didn't twist them real bad but bad enough to have to have them pulled on a frame stretcher. Useually required some body work too.

  15. #15
    Chief of his tribe! LSCyaL8R's Avatar
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    Navy Blue Metallic
    2000 T/A Firehawk M6

    precisely why i'm getting the suspension and chassis work out of the way first. What good is a fast car if i'm gonna break it whenever I drive it?

  16. #16
    Member Rk ws6's Avatar
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    2001 ws6

    Quote Originally Posted by LSCyaL8R View Post
    precisely why i'm getting the suspension and chassis work out of the way first. What good is a fast car if i'm gonna break it whenever I drive it?
    x2 Exactly... jesus i wish i could get other people to realize that

  17. #17
    Slow'er'Ass Mr. Luos's Avatar
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    Red Tint Jewelcoat
    2008 Trailblazer SS

    SFC's I noticed a HUGE difference with.
    I noticed NONE with a STB. Will never put one back on the car.


    As for bolt on chassis twist....use the rearend to lift, put the rear on ramps.
    Lift front using a block of wood and the k-member. Should keep twist down to a minimum.

  18. #18
    let the F-Bodies roll jimmybling31's Avatar
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    white
    94 camaro z28

    Quote Originally Posted by 86 IROC-Z View Post
    SFC are useless on F-bodys...
    http://www.ls1.com/forums/images/smilies/suicide.gif

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