I just recently installed SLP bolt-on SFC's. I am now just wondering how many people have bolt-ons compared to weld-ons? And whether those with bolt-ons think they should have bought weld-ons?

 

If you want real rigidity weld those suckers on.

 

I have the SLP bolt on's, and unless you do alot of Auto-Xing, you do not need weld on's.

SteveC

 

I got the J&M from Hotpart.com because they are like the BMR, only half the price!

 

I have the BMR tubular weld ins. I happened to know a guy who welded thats why I got them. If I haden't, I would have got the bolt ins

 

Do everyone seeing this poll a favor. SLP's SFC are the same except bolt in is powder coated and weld in must be painted after installed, otherwise identical. Now that yours are bolted in, grind off the paint where necessary and weld them in. Then post how big an improvement it is.

 

It seems that when it comes down to it the cost of the weld-ins + installation comes out to the price of the bolt-ons. I'm scared of some smuck welding under my girl, I'm sure everyone had the same worries. I'm starting to think about the slp set because of the fact that I can install them. It sounds like if you don't drive off cliffs the set should be just fine. How do you like the slp's and did you feel a big difference after the install. One more thing, how was the install? Thanks...

 

BMR boxed welded on here.

 

Look ... the issue with bolt ons is after a while they start to stretch the holes and loosen up. Then your SFCs just become one more thing that is rattling, as opposed to a mod that can help reduce the rattling.

You can make a case that, well if I'm not driving it that hard, then bolt ons are sufficient ... well if your not driving it that hard, you probably can save yourself some money and just skip the SFCs all together - because if you're not driving it hard enough to need weld ons, you're not driving it hard enough to even need SFCs.

 

z28rktec: The install of the SLP's was fairly easy. It only took a friend and myself, with a jack, jack-stands and a few tools only about 1.5 hours. The first time back out on the street I felt the difference. But the following day I didn't, just got used to the new feel. It is plenty tight for everyday driving and streetracing. If I new a welder i probably would have bought weld-ons but since i don't know a welder I bought the SLP Bolt-on for $249 and figured that if i need it stiffer i could weld later. Besides a lot of people say that the bolt holes become longated. well, if this does happen the pieces that have the bolt-holes in them can be replaced very easily. Its basically a piece of 3/8"x1"x6" flat stock steel with two 1/2 tapped holes in them. So it could easily be replicated by a machine shop. I know this because I went to school for Machining. Or in the end just weld them on like most aggree on. Hope, this helps your decision. But Like its stated if your not driving that hard the bolt ons will be great.

 

BMR tubular weld ons. The boxed type lose too much clearance.

Weld on is the only way to go. The bolt on versions have one weakness in that the holes that the SFCs are bolted into were not designed to handle that type of lateral stress. The SFCs are strong, the bolts are strong, but the mounting holes are not. That's not a good long term solution. Many people who buy the SLP bolt ons end up getting them welded in place later on.

Though if you never run your car hard, its not a concern and the bolt ons are ok - just not for the hardcore guy who likes to play hard.

 

Thanks for the input speedy. It really is a tough call.
Gymratt: What do you think of your BMR's, that has been my plan. Who did you find to do the welding? What did you think of the results of the mod.

 

I've got the bolt-on SLPs and I've been happy with them the last couple years. No loosening and I didn't even use any locktite. They're really beefy& square. They're great for jacking up each side NASCAR-style I'm thinking of removing them over the winter and touching up some scratches on them. You can't do that with weld-ons.

 

I have the Kenny Brown Double-Diamond SFC's. One of the best mods IMO. They tuck up very tight to the car, and they are hardly visible.

 

I'm really thinking about going with the SLP bolt-on sfc. Mainly because I have heard to many horror welding stories, and I do like the triangulation desing of the slp's. You folks that have them, how do you like them. Do they tuck up tight into the body and do you see them from the side? Thanks for your input, I'm trying to make a quick decision.